“Our lives may be different. But our dreams and hopes are the same”.

Those are the tagline for this year’s Petronas Television Commercial (TVC) in celebrating Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2013.

Petronas’ Merdeka and Malaysia Day Campaign’s TVC, entitled ‘Children’, follows the lives of four individuals of different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds – a postman, a farmer, a sundry shopkeeper and a rattan gatherer – in the successive phase of their lives, united by a common dream and guided by similar values and hopes.

“Our campaign this year is about celebrating the similarities that make us uniquely Malaysian. On the surface we may all see each other as different; but in the larger scheme of things, our hopes, dreams and aspirations are the same,” said Petronas Senior General Manager, Group Corporate Affairs, DatUK Mohammad Medan Abdullah.

The Campaign includes, among others, a television commercial (TVC) and a series of activities to engage with and instil the feeling of national pride among young Malaysians.

“The values that we share such as unity, harmony, mutual respect and tolerance are at the core of every Malaysian’s consciousness and define who we are collectively as a nation, despite our diverse backgrounds and origins,” Mohammad Medan added.

Complementing the TVC is the ‘Project #tanahairku’ that encompasses on-the-ground activities inspired by the poem of similar title which written by Malaysian National Poet Laureate, the late Datuk Usman Awang.

Haslina Usman, the daughter of the late poet said that she is satisfied with the TVC considering the flow of the story does relate to her father’s poem.

“I’m sure my father would love the storyline. I personally love it as it reminds me of my father on certain scenes,” said Haslina smiling.

Well-known music composer, Audi Mok who had made name by composing songs for popular Malaysian singers such as Siti Nurhaliza, Suki and Faizal Tahir said that the TVC has a strong storyline and the music used in the story gives audience anticipation.

“It was very interesting. It drew me in. To see their journey and the life they are going through, it is quite spectacular. From the production standpoint, it was very good because it tells about love and effort.

“I could relate myself with the story since I have a three-year-old son, it gives me some comfort to know that that is what my son is going to be like when he grows up,” Audi added.

As part of its Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2013 Campaign celebrations, Petronas is also distributing a limited edition environment-friendly nylon bags at its selected service stations nationwide between 31 August and 16 September.