TEXT VIEWS: Do you tend to patronize Philippine-made products?

Honestly, I don’t, although there are also Philippine products worth buying sometimes. Besides, quality imported ones are cheaper. –  Imee Aglibot, Rizal

For a change, let’s shed off our colonial mentality and patronize only Philippine-made products. –  M. Mamangun, Pampanga

Nothing beats Filipino quality

Of course, I patronize our own. It’s unique and matibay, like the Marikina shoes. – Maria Reyna Padernal, Zamboanga City

I always patronize ‘products made in the Philippines  for their unique qualities. – Jett Avinante, Cavite

The quality of Philippine-made products is much better than others. Although the price is higher, I do patronize our own. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

Yes, I do. Philippine-made products, quality-wise, are highly competitive with a few exceptions. Patronizing our own is nationalistic. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

Yes, because Philippine-made products are really sturdy and of good quality. – Eula Jumagdao, Quezon City

On the contrary

As much as I could, I really buy Philippine-made products. But sometimes, I can’t help junking our products because they are helplessly substandard. – C.T. Galang, Cavite

No offense meant, but I still don’t patronize our products much. Most are of inferior quality but better than cheap Chinese products. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

I’m sorry but I don’t. Its quality has always been below standard, just like the Chinese-made products of today. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

It helps our economy

I also tend to patronize Philippine-made products so that we could save more dollars and this would be a big help to our local manufacturers. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Sure, I love my own country so I patronize my own products to uplift the economy. – Nene Biason, Las Piñas City

I always patronize our own products. It’s not only helping our economy rise, but also our fellow Filipinos. – Bernadette Joy dela Cruz, Baguio City

As a concerned Filipino citizen, I still tend to patronize the products we have because I believe it’s the key to progress. Go, Pinoy. – Ryan Bate, Cebu City

Tumpak na tanong, gamitin mo Hapee toothpaste kaysa Colgate and every RP-made product. Aasenso ang Pilipinas. – Ben Tindoy, Laguna

Selling strategy

Most Filipinos do so and proudly. But we have to specialize in our niche products so as to compete, based not just on low prices. – Tony Tudor, Manila

The Bureau of Cottage Industries should encourage more of carabao-driven caravans to promote patronage of Philippine-made handicrafts and attract foreign tourists. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

Hard to find

I want to patronize Philippine products, but they are difficult to find. Everything seems to be imported, from rice, salt, vegetable, pork, chicken, to clothes, appliances, shoes, flip-flops, medicine and whatnot. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

I try to patronize Philippine-made products, there just aren’t many around. – Jon Go, Caloocan City

It’s a lifestyle

I do. My toothpaste is Unique, I like Max’s more than KFC, I choose Jollibee over McDonalds. Reyes cuts my hair, not David’s, although I admit that there are foreign products and services better than local ones, but I tend to buy local. – Pat Miranda, Marikina City

Yes, and why not? Clothes made by our famous designers that have outlets in the malls are great, style and quality-wise. – Debbie Genato, Manila

Ever tasted that now-you-see, now-you-don’t Lipa buko juice? It’s my new craze. – Fred Caguioa, Dagupan City

I patronize Philippine products as much as I can. With beer, I drink San Mig instead of Bud, Corona, Carlsberg or Heineken, with our delicious Vigan longganisa, bagnet and sinanglao for my gluttony. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

I eat at Jolibee, brush with Hapee, prefer puto to donuts. I once wore Pidro shirts and buy Bench products when I’ve enough savings. – L. Vallo, Pangasinan

I have been patronizing Philippine-made products since my younger years and I will continue patronizing them if they keep improving in meeting changing requirements. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City          

Of course, simply by buying abaca-made bags and slippers. I really love collecting this kind of stuff. – Ann Lorraine Roldan, Baguio City

Our barongs are exquisite and Hizon ensaymadas are tasty. I buy them as send-off gifts to foreign guests. – G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City

Apples to apples

The tendency is to compare the price and quality of the products. If the imported ones are better, why choose Philippine-made products? – Janet Hernandez, Bulacan

Honestly, I don’t, because the affordable ones are mostly imitations and the original brands are too expensive. Imports are a fusion of quality and affordability. – Jun Raganta, Nueva Ecija

No, for sometimes products coming from China are much cheaper. With a tight budget, patriotism is sometimes forgotten. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

I eat Vietnamese rice, Autralian angus beef, sauteed with Thai patis and devour my favorite Peking duck. – N. Elizan, Quezon City

Yes, I always look back and honor Philippine-made products but I can’t deny the fact of being addicted ti some imported products. – Faye Lim, Baguio City

Nowadays, it’s difficult to live without “made in China” products. They are cheap and of good quality. Philippine products are expensive and limited in variety. I go for value for money. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

It depends

I always look for substitutes. If the prescribed product is not available locally, that’s the only time I patronize foreign goods. – Leterio Bayson, Bulacan

Do I tend to patronize Philippine-made products? I do, but for some practical reasons, I go for foreign-made products, too. I consider the quality, price, style, etc. – I. Calata, Parañaque City

Depends on the product I buy. As an Ilocano buyer, I look for quality and dependability para sulit. – Felma Aguilan, Occidental Mindoro

Of course I do, but if the quality of a Filipino-made item doesn’t please me, I’d rather buy an imported product that is higgh in quality. – Ronald Dulay, Baguio City

Yes, but trying out foreign-made products is always an option, due to their proven quality and durability. – Pedro Alagano, Vigan

Honestly, not always, but every time I chance upon good, quality Philippine-made products, I always choose it over other items. – Amelita Obusan, Camarines Norte

I go for both local and foreign products as long as the quality is excellent, like movies, for example. Patronizing imported products, like studying a foreign language, does not necessarily make one less patriotic. – Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal

Save for a few

I do patronize our locally-produced products simply because they suit our needs. But, sorry to say, not on the techie side. – Joel Igloria Luis, Metro Manila

I do patronize Philippine-made products, except local movies which I do not find entertaining. – Ric Vergara, Calamba

Sometimes, because I’m scared that I might buy “pirated”, which in Filipino, is really good. – Hazel Lampaza, Baguio City

Yes, except for a few. Shoes, bags, clothing, furniture, native products and even food are some of the world’s best. I seldom watch Pinoy movies. Sorry. – Julio Ibon, Laoag City

World-class

Yes naman, because Philippine-made products are of the best quality and pass international standards as well. – Erne Clarin, Manila

Yes, particularly those products that are world-class.  – Gerry Del Cano, Tarlac

Let’s support Philippine-made products. These can even compete with the world’s best. They’re distinctively Pinoy. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

Of course naman, quality-wise, imported ones are much better and cheaper but Philippine-made products are competitive with other countries. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

Judging from our high patronage ratings for Philippine-made products, there is no doubt we have stepped up to global competitiveness in terms of quality standards. – Ludwig Aguinaldo, Digos City

Yes, I am confident that our products are at par with other countries. – James Gaw, Quezon City

Yes, Philippine-made products can fully compete with the best in the world. Let’s be nationalistic and do away with colonial mentality. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

Why not?

Why not, would you believe there are good ones? – Rico Arrieta, San Juan

Yes, I do patronize Philippine-made products because imported goods are expensive. He he he. – Darwin Fonte, Ifugao

Why not? Some Filipinos are so foreign-made-oriented that patronizing Philippine-made products is considered baduy. – Priscilla Pascual, Pampanga

I doubt it

After our history of colonization, I’m pretty much sure that no one will admit that he is a Filipino that patronizes his products. – Paul Centro, Baguio City

Love our own

Most RP products conform to global quality requirement and are even better. Let’s patronize our own. Be proud you’re Pinoy! – Ed Alawi, Davao City

We should really patronize Philippine-made products to promote our nation’s identity. – Dave Velasco, Cavite

Yes, I tend to patronize Filipino products because I appreciate our fellow Filipinos’ perseverance at work. – Hazel Escao, Baguio City

Not just inclined, I have to. As a Filipino, I’m bound to help our economy in any way or manner. Big or small, it’s my duty. WWII-weary Japanese, patriotic as they are, rebuilt their war-torn country by patronizing their own. It pays to be disciplined. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

Yes, I do patronize Philippine-made products because I’m proud of our own work, and I am proud to be Pinoy. – Divina Mapile, Pangasinan

Yes, patronizing our own products means loving our country and some of my things are Philippine-made products. – Cherry Pie Agustin, Baguio City

Surely I’ll patronize our own. I always take pride in being a Filipino. – Joanne delos Santos, Baguio City

Of course I do. As a student, patronizing Philippine-made products is already a big contribution to our country. – Krista Oiuneza, Baguio City

Yes, because by patronizing Philippine-made products, I can show loyalty to my country. – Dennilyn Eclevia, Zambales

I like Philippine-made products because of their intricate designs, especially furniture made of hard wood. The designs are competitive in the world market. Proof of this are the many foreign homeowners whom I see on the cable channels that take pride in their interior furnishings made from the Philippines. The same thing is true with me. It’s also my simple little way of helping build our nation. Pilipinas muna. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

Yes, we Filipinos must patronize our own. The few imported items that I possess were given, not bought. – Dr. Manolo Cristi, Quezon City

THINKING OUT LOUD

Cory opened a  Pandora’s box when she resurrected Nur and Joma. Tapos, Kris wants to be President? Heaven forbid. – Andy Tan, Manila

The MILF separatists can have all the territory they want, as long as they quickly turn it into their graveyard. – Rene Poder, Manila

Sen. Cayetano as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee? He is notorious for fabrication of evidence just like what he did to the First Gentleman. – Ferdie Rafer, Cavite

REACTIONS

To N. Elizan: You congratulated me and Loi for being among the one-percent liars. How about the others like Ludwig, Ed, William et al? Proof that your claim isn’t true, William Gonzaga helped me before the May elections. I won’t call him a liar because he isn’t. – Pat Miranda, Marikina City

To Felma Aguilan: I think that there’s no such term as malfeasance of misfeasance. Each has a separate and distinct meaning. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

Views expressed in this section are those of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: How do you choose your friends?

To send your views and comment to INBOX, simply text:
philstar<space>fb<space>your view/comment, name and address
and send to 334 if you're a Smart subscriber or 2840 for Globe or Sun Cellular