Smart Parenting Awards 2024: 9 Products We Love for the Family
Family always comes first.
Everything parents do ulitimately circles back to one goal—providing the best for their family. Parenting can often feel overwhelming because of the constant effort to ensure nothing less than the best for our loved ones.
The Smart Parenting Awards are here to ease this burden, helping moms and dads choose products that are tried, tested, and proven to support every family's needs.
Each product is carefully reviewed and evaluated for quality, value for money, innovation, and parent recommendations. The list is thoughtfully curated by the Smart Parenting team and experts, with votes from the 108-thousand-strong Smart Parenting Village.
This year’s winners send a clear message: “There are no second-bests for the family.”
Smart Parenting Awards 2024: Only the Best for the Family
Digital Bank: GCash
GCash has become a staple in everyday transactions.
Filipino families love GCash for its ease, convenience, and wide reach. In just a tap or two, payment and money transfers are done. Every family member’s needs are all in GCash: electric and water utility bills, telecom and internet bills, toll reloads, government transactions, credit card payments, and tuition fees to schools and universities.
Smart Parenting Village member Alou Detera shares, "GCash is a dependable and versatile e-wallet that serves various financial needs. It stands out for its ease of use and diverse features."
Additonally, its record of previous transactions is also a great way to track spending, especially when on a budget.
GCash is available on their web log-in, Apple Store, and Google Play.
Food Delivery: GrabFood
Families enjoy dining in the comforts of their home through GrabFood delivery. When parents don’t have time for food preparation, GrabFood is an easy and convenient option. It's also helped parents throwing celebrations for the family. With different food choices, every family member can enjoy their favorites. Fast food chains, well-known restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops are all available on GrabFood.
What we love the most about GrabFood—promos, vouchers, discounts, and free deliveries—exactly why Mommy Glaisa Joy Alberal nominated it, "Very convenient and offers many discount and vouchers."
GrabFood is available on their website, Apple Store, and Google Play.
Travel Airline: Cebu Pacific
Experts say that travel with family has lots of benefits, so a reliable and affordable airline is a must!
Cebu Pacific Air is the top choice for family travels. It’s no wonder, thanks to Cebu Pacific Air's flexible bookings, low fares (plus frequent promos!), and global safety practices. It has the widest network in the Philippines offering flights to Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and more. Cebu Pacific Air’s local destinations has multiple flight times per day, allowing passengers to choose the perfect schedule for them. Recently, it added a new international destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Changes for the flight, additional baggage allowance and travel fund management are also made easy on Cebu Pacific Air’s mobile app. Another thing we love about Cebu Pacific Air—Piso Sale! During sale periods, local travel destination’s base fare start from P1 only.
Meldy Natividad says, "Travelling has always been comfy and easy with Cebu Pacific! It's the perfect airline for every family's dream vacation!"
Book your next family travel on Cebu Pacific Air’s website. Download the Cebu Pacific app on Apple Store and Google Play.
Restaurants: Max’s
No matter how many new restaurant chains come out, we always go back to something homey and classic. Max’s Restaurant is part of the Filipino family culture, serving its fan-favorite Max’s fried chicken since 1945.
‘Sarap to the Bones’ is the fitting description for its homey and classic menu. We all grew up with Max’s fried chicken, pancit, lumpia, and of course, its trademark Caramel Bar. One of Max’s newer menu additions, Sizzling Tofu Sisig has also easily become a fan favorite. Filipino classic desserts and refreshments such as the Classic Halo-Halo, Buko Pandan, and Mais Con Yelo are celebration staples.
Jeni Lopez of Smart Parenting Village comments, "Masarap talagang kumain sa Max's Restaurant: busog at sulit, mabait din ang mga crew at maasikaso."
Max’s is also well-known for its functions and events, from baptisms to birthdays and even weddings. "Every time po may celebration sa family, sa Max's Restaurant ang kainan. Super love namin ang chicken nila lalo na 'yung mini brownies, super sulit and affordable! Love na love din namin ang Sizzling Tofu. Laking Max's Restaurant!" says Mommy Maricar Torres-Salome.
Order Max’s online here or call 888-79000 for deliveries.
Washing Machine: LG Front Load
LG Front Load Washing Machine (7KG) starts at P33,995
There’s a funny (but true) joke: The laundry basket is empty for just an average of five minutes. Because of the never-ending cycle of labada, who doesn’t want a good and functional washing machine?
The LG Front Load Washing Machine is a Filipino household favorite, thanks to its features:
- Steam Wash that cleans clothes and kills 99.9% of bacteria, allergens, pollens, dust mites, pet allergens, and germs.
- 6 Motion Inverter Direct Drive that has creating six different washing motions, giving fabrics proper care and ultra-cleanliness.
- Smart Diagnosis app that can be connected to your smartphone to easily identify washer concerns.
Smart Parenting contributing writer, April Kristel Llana, says, "Front-load washers are generally more energy-efficient than their top-load washing machine counterparts. LG models, in particular, excel in energy efficiency while delivering outstanding cleaning performance, even with minimal water usage."
Plus, with its sleek and aesthetic design, it can easily fit in limited spaces without compromising interior design.
Insurance: Sun Life
Know more about Sun Life Philippines and insurance packages on their website.
Sun Life Philippines has been trusted for over a century (officially starting in the country in 1895, offering insurance and financial planning solutions tailored to every life stage.
To date, Sun Life Philippines offers various insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions, including the provision of financial planning and guidance, insurance products for every life stage, investment products for individuals, families, and companies, and health-focused products with an innovative wellness community.
"No doubt Sun Life Philippines deserves to be at the top because they just don't offer life insurance products, but it makes sure that their clients and their families will achieve a brighter future," says mother of three, Habiba Cereno. She thinks, "(It's) a lifetime partnership that is bound in trust and integrity."
Talk to a Sun Life Philippines Financial Advisor and find the best option for your family.
Tumbler: Aquaflask
Aquaflask Tumblers start at P550
Aquaflask is a family favorite thanks to its trendy and colorful designs. With options ranging from 14 oz for toddlers with a wide-mouth design, 18 oz for school kids, 22 oz and 32 oz for active teenagers, and 40 oz for parents, there's a size for almost everyone. These tumblers are made with BPA-free, lead-free materials and feature double-wall vacuum insulation and 18/8 stainless steel to keep drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours. Aquaflask tumblers are also easy to clean and are dishwasher-safe, with easily changeable silicone rings and bands (replacements are available on their online stores). It also has a wide range of accessories available: boot protection, paracord handle, cup expander, bottle cleaning brush, stickers, and silicone straws.
For Kat Calimag Rupera and her family, it is their tumbler of choice. "I like the size—it helps me drink more water! Plus, I can mix and match the colors since napapalitan ung lid," she said.
Appliance: UV Care Air Purifier
UV Care Air Purifier starts at P19,995
The UV Care Air Purifier is scientifically proven to eliminate SARS-CoV-2, airborne pathogens, E. coli, and Staphylococcus Aureus in under one minute. Its multi-step filtration system, powered by medical-grade HEPA filters and UV Care Virux® Technology, removes small dust and allergen particles as small as 0.1 microns in diameter on top of large particles like dust, dirt, and hair. Its plasma technology emits positive and negative ions that break down suspended viruses, bacteria, mold, and strong odors.
Aside from its air purifying technology, the UV Care Air Purifier also comes in a space-saving design for living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. It has a coverage area of 40 m². It has a ‘Quiet Operation’ technology with a noise level of 45dB (A) or as loud as a normal conversation at its highest fan speed setting.
Smart Parenting section editor, Em Cruz, shared how the UV Care Air Purifier helped improve her family's health: "Our family has been using it for a few years now, and I've noticed a significant improvement in my morning allergies and allergic rhinitis. Mas less na occurence ng clogged nose or allergy-induced coughs for all of us."
Travel/Vacation Hotels: Shangri-La The Fort, Manila
Parents agree that the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila is the top hotel destination for Metro Manila staycations.
A staycation is a fail-safe way of spending quality time with the family. And the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila provides both comfort and fun for the whole family. Located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, families can easily visit cultural areas, museums, restaurants, and shopping malls.
The hotel is an experience in itself, with an extensive range of facilities and services that can cater for every family member. Kerry Sports Manila, an indoor lifestyle and leisure club inside Shangri-La The Fort, Manila is for sporty parents and teenagers. It has a 24-hour gym, squash court, tennis court, fitness studio and outdoor swimming pool. The Adventure Zone, a 1,000 sqm indoor playground is waiting for the little kids, still inside the hotel. It is divided into three areas: Toddler Area, Role Play Village and Slide Zone.
Kat Calimag-Rupera, mother of one from the Smart Parenting Village shares, "For me it's the nicest hotel that I've been to so far in Manila Metro. Been there for numerous business events and I would say they never disappoint—accommodations, food, and most importantly it is in a very nice central spot in BGC. Near shopping malls and good restaurants."
She adds, "For food options inside the hotel, I tried Raging Bull, Canton Road, High Street Cafe, and also the Samba—all very good options. As for the rooms, they are spacious, always smelling good in every corner! Plus, a lot of amenities in the hotel: swimming pool options and don't forget the Kerry Sports!"
Experience Shangri-La The Fort’s stay options and packages on their website.
How We Determined Smart Parenting's Products We Love For Family Winners
To determine the winners of our Products We Love For Family awards, we followed a thorough and collaborative process. We began by collecting nominations from trusted sources, including our editors, writers, contributors, and the Smart Parenting Village community. Each product was then assessed based on the following key factors: quality, value for money, innovation, and parent recommendations. Every product was then evaluated to have excelled in each category via votes from the Smart Parenting Village members, reviews and discussions by our editorial team, along with special consideration from relevant experts.
Discover the winners of the Smart Parenting Awards 2024 across various categories: Products We Love for Moms, Dads, Babies, Kids, Parents, and Home.
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Produced by Em Cruz
Photographs by Paola Aseron-Dacanay
Styling by Reezy Ayson
Shot on location at Le Pont Residences Showroom
Editor-in-Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Shoot assisted by Christina Peñaranda
Video producer: Cherrie Julian
Videographers: Jino Del Mundo, Rolando Pingco Jr.
Editor: Rolando Pingco Jr.
Art Director: Stephanie Ocampo
Social Media by Zen Arganda
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Associate Publisher: Bettina Santos
Shot on location at the Le Pont Residences Showroom
Special thanks to Robinsons Land Corporation
