In the Philippines — where the longest Christmas season is celebrated — the end of the year is a stressful time. The holiday rush has days jam-packed with activities. Students struggle to complete the semester’s requirements. Workers clock in extra hours to finish the year’s work backlog. Deadlines, social obligations, stress and anxiety pile up — making people feel like blowing up, so to speak. A break with one’s favorite treats is always welcome. Oh what joy to savor those cool McDonald’s desserts!

In a series of posters, we captured the feeling of relief after taking a bite or sip of McDonald’s cool desserts. The ads feature explosives dressed up as a student, an office worker and an engineer with wicks about to go off. But thanks to McDonald’s cool desserts, they get to cool off.

These were placed near McDonald’s restaurants where stressed-out students and office workers pass daily.