408. Before Mineral Water Became Commonplace, there was AGUA DE CARABAÑA, 1978, 1990 Ads

AGUA DE CARABAÑA Ad, 1978

There was a time that bottled mineral water was a rare sight in the Philippines. Imported brands like Evian were looked at as status symbols of high society people, who carried the small, green bottles to outdoor and sports events like they were flaunting their Rolexes and Vuittons

But long before we were introduced to mineral water in PET bottles, Filipinos in the peacetime era were discovering the many health benefits of AGUA DE CARABAÑA, mineral water in clear glass or aqua bottles, from the Carabaña Springs of Spain. The water was believed to have curative and medicinal properties that it was soon being commercially bottled in the early 20th c. to America and Europe. AGUA DE CARABAÑA then was available only in boticas and farmacias in the Philippines and was used to cure all sorts of ailments--from kidney problems, stomach ills and even as an abortifacient!

AGUA DE CARABAÑA Ad, 1990

In the 70s, AGUA DE CARABAÑA was distributed by PhilUSA Corp., an importer based in Pasig. The water came in colored and clear  bottles with the familiar Agua brand name in relief. The brand was marketed professionally, supported by print advertising. However, it continued to be sold as medicinal water that “works wonders for you, inside and out”, with laxative and antiseptic properties to clear skin and maintain digestive health.

OLD AGUA DE CARABAÑA COLLECTIBLE BOTTLES

Today, mineral water is so commonplace in the Philippines—there are scoresof brands with fancy names to choose from,  readily available from supermarkets, convenience, and neighborhood sari-sari stores.  AGUA DE CARABAÑA has since become obsolete after the ‘90s, its name and history forgotten--but that’s water under the bridge.

SOURCE:

Castro, Alex. flyandflea.blogspot