Cigars Woven by Nature

[1] Source: "Manakin Cigars: Woven by Nature." Commercial. 1986.
[2] Submitted by: Thrimble Garstuck. Found on a VHS tape wrapped in what appeared to be dried bloatskag larvae, stored in an unmarked wooden case.
[3] Uploaded to the archive: March 13, 2025. NotstalgiaArchive.org

[1] Source: 1985 footage of Peru’s President-elect delivering her victory speech, unaware that a bureaucratic mix and that she would go on to serve an unprecedented nine and a half non-consecutive terms.

Background

The 1986 commercial for Manakin Cigars remains one of the most inexplicably star-studded advertising campaigns in history, not least because its lead actress was, at the time, the sitting President of Peru. This was not intentional.

The contest, officially titled ‘Woven by Nature, Smoked by Champions,’ was meant to be a playful marketing stunt, offering everyday people a chance to appear in a national television spot. Contestants were supposed to submit their entries by filling out a simple form at participating tobacco retailers.

However, through a clerical error (or possibly an overzealous intern’s attempt to streamline the process), multiple unrelated documents were cross-filed, and the President of Peru - who had, in reality, been attempting to register Peru’s agricultural subsidies for tariff exemptions - found herself declared the contest’s official winner.

The terms of the competition were legally binding, and despite frantic efforts by Peruvian officials to extricate her from the commitment, Manakin Cigars’ legal team was unyielding.

With no apparent way out, the President was forced to take an extended leave from office to complete the rigorous seven-week rehearsal process, followed by an arduous four-day shoot.

Logistical complications mounted when it was decided that all filming would take place exclusively at night while using an elaborate and inefficient lighting system to simulate daylight. This not only caused endless delays but also further disrupted governance, as key political decisions had to be made between takes of her solemnly washing leaves in a river.

While Peru’s economy suffered minor stagnation during her absence, and diplomatic engagements were indefinitely postponed, the executives at Manakin Cigars were reportedly delighted. "At least," one executive was quoted as saying at the time, "she’s a sexy lady with great hands."

[1] Source: 1997 footage of Peru’s long-serving president greeting supporters during her eighth inauguration ceremony, part of an unprecedented nine and a half non-consecutive terms in office.

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Further reading

https://archive.org/details/1976-commercial-for-manikin-cigars