My List of Trusted Brands

TV Network

When it comes to TV network or station, I have only one name in my mind.  The ABS-CBN tops among the other stations as the only television network that could provide me with total entertainment while I am in the confines of my home.  The station offers the best talents the industry has from actors, hosts, anchors, directors, scriptwriters, singers, songwriters etc.  I wouldn’t know how the network lures all these talents to their fold such that the way I see it, majority of the best talents in the industry have signed up their services with them.  I wouldn’t know if it has something to do with bigger talent fees, it’s just that it looks like any talent for that matter would like to be associated with this network.  There are talents who started their careers and made it big in other networks, only to transfer eventually to ABS-CBN. There is something about being associated with the name itself. Perhaps it has something to do with the so called goodwill.

From its early morning show Magandang Umaga, its noontime variety shows, its honest to goodness unbiased and dependable news reporting and anchors at TV Patrol, its assorted drama in their so called primetime “teleseryes”, their reality show “The Biggest Looser” up until their late edition of news reporting through “Bandila”, ABS-CBN shines above the rest.  Their weekend offering on the other hand, the likes of Maalala Mo Kaya, Pilipinas Got Talent, the Buzz to cite only a few are consistent top raters.  In the case of Maalala Mo Kaya, the show is a testament that one good show can truly withstand the test of time. It has been aired for so long a time now and yet it remains a favorite of many that includes me.  Every episode never ceases to entertain me.  It was like that before during the 90’s. It still is now.  In this particular show, those personalities who were just starting to carve a name for themselves normally showed their best here and usually ended up made the likes of actress Maja Salvador, Alessandra da Rossi, good actress both whose talents were obviously honed by portraying varied characters in the weekly drama series .  I like the excitement of seeing an ordinary performer portraying lead character in the said series knowing fully well that he or she will delight me with a superb performance of the night. So far, in my almost two decades of watching the show, there was never an instant that I was shortchanged. I wonder idly why other networks cannot come up with the same formula. Maybe it goes to say that with brilliant actors acting in front of the camera; likewise brilliant director is at the helm behind it.

Even on their weekly gossip cum entertainment show The Buzz, the network is a cut above the rest where vulgarity and judgmental attitude has no place as compared to other network whose rival show is always put in bad taste with their manner of asking their guests where oftentimes it is already in the border of being vulgar.  This turns me off as sometimes it is a clear case of desperately copying ABS-CBN with no amount of success.  If one asks me what is the number one TV network in the Philippines, I would say with all certainty that it is ABS-CBN. If I would be asked next what is the number two television network in the Philippines, then, that I certainly do not know.

TV Host

 When it comes to TV host, it’s Kris Aquino like no other.  Her candidness, her natural charm, her inquisitiveness, her tact or the lack of it are obviously the things that makes her most appealing.  There could be no other that can even come up close to her level in that arena in local television.  Perhaps, there are other TV hosts who are as eloquent or in fact more eloquent and as prettier as she but lack the star quality. She is a cut above the rest as far as TV hosting is concerned. It’s her forte such that once in front of the camera it suddenly just becomes her.  She has this distinct ability to put every guest in her show to be just as honest as could be, and thus any newsworthy item that comes from her show are good as true. When it comes to a game show that she’s hosting, her excitement is contaminating that it draws her audience and viewers to feel the same. And I am not yet even talking about how beautiful and elegant she is on camera. Just her appearance alone is already a delight to her viewers. Her sensitivity to always look good in front of the camera is a testament that she doesn’t want her viewers to be shortchanged. Her impeccable style is something her audience expects always from her and she doesn’t down her audience in that aspect. She knows exactly what her audience deserves.  Her English fluency as well is something her Filipino audience looks forward to as a learning venue.

Refrigerator

I wonder how General Electric (GE) refrigerators are being made because however it was, it amazingly withstood the test of time without deteriorating its services to its users from the time it was bought to the time it serves many generations within a household.  In our ancestral home, the refrigerator that was to witness to many of our household activities for the last 40 years is the same refrigerator that stands tall in our kitchen until now, still serving us in the same manner it served us before.  So, when I thought a certain appliance works well even before knowing the brand yet, I always thought it’s a General Electric brand.  True to its endorsement tag line," If it’s good, it must be GE."

Washing Machine

General Electric (GE) for my refrigerator while a Sharp for my washing machine.  Nice combination of brands.  While I am truly impressed with the service of our GE refrigerator, this does not totally mean that I will trade my Sharp washing machine for a GE.  Maybe there are just items that each brand has a specialty with. For instance, my washing machine is older than my two grown up children but until now it is still working well taking up the load in me when it comes to my laundry needs. It had already undergone a major repair some years back after about more than a decade of continuous service. But unlike other washing machine brands today that are merely disposable once damaged, I tried to find the best washing machine repairman specialist and I was glad I have it repaired. Once repaired, the repairman assured that it will still have a continuous productive life of about another six years. It seems he was right.

With a laundry help like that, who would want to change brand?

Mattress

As far as brand of mattress is concerned, my choice is Uratex.  My choice is based on the fact that like brands of any item that withstands the test of time, so does Uratex Mattress.  It is so durable such that once you buy one, it stays with you forever.  It is always worth paying for it knowing that the service it offers is meant for a lifetime.  I have two Uratex mattresses at home that are as old as my two grown-up sons and they are still serving them up to this time.  I wonder how many more tired bodies can they comfortably serve before these mattress say they are tired already. Maybe they are not counting. For if one buys a Uratex Mattress, the manufacturer makes sure it is meant for eternity.

Family Restaurant

Restaurants abound in the metropolis each one offering something different from the other whether it’s a matter pertaining to food, service, ambience etc.  In my case and that of my entire family, there is one place that we usually hang out whenever there is a chance for all of us to bond or there is an occasion to celebrate. That favorite family restaurant is  Dampa, a name that literally means small hut. But a small hut it is not, though something unique is offered here and I believe it is that what makes it a standout among all other restaurants around.  Their concept is original, by this time though many similar dining establishments copying their concept have already sprouted, but it is always worthwhile going to the original and that’s exactly what we usually do.  In here, the diners are given the exciting task of doing the marketing for the stuff they wanted to eat in a nearby seafood market specially made available for this dining purpose.  The market offers an assortment of good quality seafood fresh from where it come from and priced moderately enough.  Once marketing is done, the customers bring their purchased stuff to the restaurant for cooking in the any manner they want it done.  The interior of the restaurant itself is not the cozy type fine dining thing.  Theirs resembles any common dining area of a normal household whereby family members eat with gusto even have the choice to eat with bare hands.  In here, there are no pretensions whatsoever.  You can eat to your stomachs content and hearts delight.  You can see in every corner that everybody does.

Shopping Center

There are just so many shopping centers around the city that you could hardly imagine how one prefers one shopping center from the other.  But however plenty the choices are, there is always one that stands out when it comes to your preference whatever your reasons are.  In my case, it is SM Megamall. When given the opportunity to shop in one deal, I would probably go directly to this place.  I find this place a shopping center all in one.  Everything that you could have wanted to find you find it here.  There are just so many choices where to shop be it clothing, shoes, jewelries, books, audio visual equipment items and what have yous.  On the other hand, in times where your stomach is already complaining from the lengthy hours of shopping or just from window shopping, there are various choices of dining establishments to choose from.  The choices are never ending from fast foods to fine dining.  But not only that.  SM Megamall is also a shopping center where not only your shopping needs are being catered to.  On its top floor can be found their chapel that has the whole ambience of a cathedral.  The owner of this building might not have only into the business of reaping huge sales and income, but went even beyond into the business of taking care the shoppers’ spiritual needs.  The chapel or church in itself has its own program of religious or spiritual activities not only on celebrating a number of scheduled mass in a day but also serves as a small parish on its own. Also noteworthy is their series of activities related to arts like exhibits and the like.  While its 20 high tech cinemas are just simply a delight to those whose purpose in going to the center is not just to shop but to relax inside while watching a movie.

SM Megamall is a huge enough shopping center but its gallery of shops and other destinations within are adequately arranged in such a way that one does not have to experiences the inconveniences of getting lost.  I know of a bigger mall that by its name alone connotes it; such that it’s so huge one gets too tired already before he or she can find the store that he or she wants to shop or window shop.

Hospital

In the aspect of health care such as hospitals, it is indeed a hard task to find a choice considering that choices are not too many in terms of every aspect present in one hospital alone. Like for instance, where so called state of the art hospitals are concerned, yes, there are a number of them.  However, with the state of art these healthcare facilities claimed to have, comes the sad fact that getting sick is a matter of life and death experience once the bill is turned over to the family to pay.  Getting sick nowadays is so expensive; it is like death in itself in many hospitals.

Good to know there are still other hospitals with a heart. Lourdes Hospital in Mandaluyong is one of them.  I do not see this hospital bragging about  what they have in their facility by way of advertisement despite the fact of having the same technology too.  It is perhaps the reason why they charge each patient modestly as they have no huge advertising bill to think about to pass on to the bill of their clients.

Come to think of it, every hospital has its own good doctors, surgeons, nurses and the same service, why do others charge enormously and the others not? While accommodation matters too but if that is a major part that matters to some, then, indeed other hospitals cater only to the wealthy and not to the general public.  I would rather choose a hospital that may not offer me a hotel-like accommodation but one that is comfortable enough for my patient and me and one that offers respectful service to its clients regardless of status.  Most of all and I think it’s the one that does matters most to the majority, one that does not cause me to die the moment they will hand me the bill.  This I find at Lourdes Hospital.

Canned Tuna

Let us look at this way.  I have been buying Century Canned Tuna for many years now every time I do my regular supermarket visits.  There are times I tried other brands just for curiosity sake only to find out in dismay that other tunas are simply not as good as Century tuna. Then I go back to Century Tuna because nothing else comes close in terms of quality in taste and texture.  Now I know its Century Tuna for maybe a century or so.

Seasoning Product

My trusted brand in terms of seasoning mix is the Knorr cubes.  It generally puts magic to your dish.  For a while, I change it to a cheaper granule kind of seasoning but I went back to my original Knorr cube because I miss the distinct flavor and enhancement it gave to my dishes no matter how simple my dishes are.  It is just so different, one can easily sense it. 

Telecommunication

My hands down choice for telecommunications is Globe telecommunications simply because of its global services.  Whether its mobile phones or broadband, Globe never downs me in terms of my telecommunication needs.  I can rely on it wherever I am, so unlike other brands where its services diminish on some parts of the globe or even in some parts of the Philippines for that matter.  In times also of calamities where almost every form of telecommunications were down, I’ve noticed that it was always Globe that was first to function back to normal.  And yes, there are indeed telecommunications that stole ones load away before a user could even find it and I am proud to say it isn’t Globe.

Vitamins

There are various vitamins now in the market each one promising more benefits than the other and consumer can only rely on its own gut feel as to what brand to spend their hard earned money with.  Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error method before one comes up with a truly trusted brand. This is how I find my favorite vitamin Centrum.  Centrum allows me to stay energized the whole day despite of the various stresses that I encounter the whole day.  I could feel it is my taking the Centrum everyday that I no longer feel half energized as noontime comes even if I began my day earlier than the others.  It might precisely be the reason too why I no longer feel sickly if my work calls me to render successive overtime each day.  Prior to my relationship with Centrum, a four-day successive overtime could have made me down with flu.  Centrum gives me power to do many things in a day without ruining my energy. It simply protects me from the annoying case of constant bout of colds as I was prone to it before. Yes, it’s true; Centrum is complete from A-Z.

Mobile Phones

As far as mobile phones are concerned, the brand that gives me so many choices in design and features is Nokia.  It has almost everything a user needs.  Its durability is one aspect that can be depended upon for a long time.  It is so durable that no matter how many times one dropped the item accidentally or intentionally, it does not easily get damaged.  Its array of design from the most expensive to the cheapest gives the customer the easy choice on which to buy for himself or for a gift to others.  It is also user friendly.  Other brands come up with too sophisticated features it does not anymore enjoyable to use them.  I want mine to be just a comfortable item where I could enjoy its basic features and enhancements and can readily cater to my communication needs. One that does not need lengthy hours to learn to know how to maneuver it.  I want mine simply Nokia.

Fresh Meat

When it comes to fresh meat, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Monterey brand. Their meat is always fresh just by the color of it.  You see it displayed alongside with other brands and you just know it that their quality is on top of the others. Aside from that, a customer can enjoy an assortment of choice cuts to choose from. I wouldn’t mind spending a little more for a Monterey meat so long as I am assured of its freshness and quality.  For what good does it bring to the family’s table if you buy a cheaper brand but sans the assurance that the item is truly safe for everyone in the family? If one is assured that what she is buying is safe for herself, then, she is assured that it is safe for her entire family. With Monterey meat, it is simply just that.

Flat Screen TV

I have one at home and it’s a Sony.  Frankly speaking, I wouldn’t know of any other brand that would give me the same contentment and pride. Sony Flat TV is like the queen in your house.  It just sits there in your TV table, so incomparable.  I have tried curiously to inspect flat screen TV of other brands, but the imposing features of Sony simply sets it above the rest.

Gas Station                         

It just came to my mind that Petron Gas Station is better than the others.  These gas stations are supplied with a gas from the company which is the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines, The Petron Corporation.  It would just come out naturally that you trust the brand that you know in your heart comes from the best. When you know the gas comes from Petron Gas, surely you would know the quality is world-class.  Not only that. During long travels, I could only thank for that there are Petron Gas Stations along the way that do not only provide my car with its energy needs, but likewise, with available comfort rooms which allow  their customers like me to answer the call of nature should necessity arises.  I also appreciate their putting up a non-fuel business which one-stop full service experience that would include convenience store “Treats” which serves as fast-food, coffee shop and other consumer services, because then, it is convenient for a traveler to avail of some necessities or toiletries that were otherwise overlooked as he or she heads to his/her destinations. It made car travel or drive less of a tedious experience.  By giving their customers a one-stop full service experience, it goes to say that they want to become an integral part of their customer’s lives.  They are consistent in delivering customer experience through innovative products and services.

Internet Service Provider

The best internet service provider from my own experience is the PLDT MyDSL.  Although all internet service providers had their own negative reviews including this one, as a whole, it remains to be the only trusted provider that did not give me the internet havoc experience. With my PLDT MyDSL, I am able to experience the fastest upload and download speed.  The connection is fast and in the occurrence of any problem, it is just a call away to the customer service and the problem is fixed right away.  Though it may be a bit costly, the price is just right with the amenities and stable speed it offers.  Its thumbs up for my PLDT MyDSL.

Pen

Pilot is one of the most popular pens out there and I am truly convinced that it was the best pen out there indeed.    Be it a ball pen or a pentel pen, no doubt it is very comfortable to hold and write with. I truly enjoy the way the pen writes.  I like the smooth and firm smooth action of the plunger once you click to expose the retractable tip.  Its balance in itself and the smooth and easy to hang onto rubbery grip make it almost like an extension of your finger.  The design is such that it relieves writing stress and fatigue as the hands wrap easily around this writing instrument.  The good thing about Pilot being a popular pen is it is always available in local convenience store or supermarket along with their refills as well when you find yourself somewhere without it.

Sugar Substitute

There is nothing to worry  because there are a lot of sugar substitutes out there that not only taste good but are a lot healthy than sugar itself. Aspertame is also found in the sugar substitute product called sweet in low. I am comfortable with Equal sugar substitute because it has no sugar or calories in it. If you want something with no sugar at all this substitute is a decent one to use. It is safer sugar substitute to use recommended for diabetics and alternative seekers. If you look on Equal's website this product is supported by the America Diabetes Association. This sweetener is a great product to use just like you would with sugar. In the end. it is still good to maintain use the serving amount that is recommended.

Cooking Oil

My trusted cooking oil is one that is low in saturated fats and trans fats and I find it in Health Plus’ Canola oil.  Canola oil prides itself as 100% cholesterol free and I believe it. Aside from it being fat free, this oil has higher smoke point.  Compared to other brands of the same nutritional facts, I like this one because of its modest prize compared to others.

Insurance Company

I would like to believe Sunlife is the most trusted insurance company.  It being the first and oldest insurance company here in the Philippines, makes it the most trusted.
When it comes to claims,Sunlife is number one. I am speaking from experience. It takes only about 2 days for a claim to be processed, so unlike the others that takes about 2 months.  Sunlife is also international that if one migrates to other countries of choice, there is always a branch to make payment with.

Paint

I see Boysen Paints as a true market leader that knows its existence depends largely on its pool of customers who learn to trust the product for its consistent quality.  It has earned its loyalty by the trust of the customers it has built. For certainly, trust is the key to longevity. Boysen paints have been there since I could remember.  It’s like your dream of having a good house is always in partnership with Boysen. The quality of their paints is very distinct.  It’s like when your house is being painted with another brand, it cannot achieve the same effect that Boysen does. Take for instance their Virtuoso Silk Touch, a truly revolutionary product among their line, is the first paint in the world to have Teflon® non-stick and Microban® anti-microbial technology.  The unique combination of the two gives a result of perfect elegance of a flat paint with the washability of glossy paints. But they do not rest their laurels on that.  It just very likely of Boysen to continuously add more quality on their already at par paints by providing Virtuoso and Boysen Healthy Home with effective yet safe protection against bacteria, mold and fungus on painted surfaces. This they did by teaming up with Microban, the world’s leading anti-microbial brand. It perfectly understands the needs of the consumers. I get the money value of my hard earnings when I get the services of Boysen because of its trustworthiness, credibility of image, quality and value.  With these in mind, wouldn’t you be perfectly comfortable to allow Boysen to be part of creating your home?  That is exactly what I feel.  I wouldn’t have it other way.