For millions of Filipino families, getting drinking water remains tied to a familiar routine: ordering refills, waiting for deliveries, and finding space for large containers at home.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, 57.9% of Filipino families obtained their drinking water from refilling stations, underscoring how deeply the practice is embedded in daily life.
The figure describes where families obtain drinking water, but does not indicate whether those sources are safe or unsafe.
The PSA separately tracks access to safely managed drinking-water services, a measure that considers availability, accessibility on premises, and freedom from contamination.
The two indicators are distinct and should not be conflated.
The prevalence of refilling stations, nevertheless, points to a large and established market—and to the practical demands that come with it, from delivery schedules and storage to water supply and household space.
“The cost of drinking water is not just what a family pays per refill. There is also the time spent arranging deliveries, the space needed for containers, and the responsibility of keeping water on hand. Those everyday demands deserve attention, alongside water quality and the full cost of any alternative,” explained Vince Ngo, president and managing director of Visionary Grand Corporation, which operates Pureal Philippines.
For Ngo, those everyday considerations raise the question of whether some households and businesses could manage drinking water differently.
His interest in the issue was shaped by visits to South Korea, where water purifiers are commonly integrated into homes, hotels, cafés, and workplaces.
“When we talk about water security, it’s not just about having water available. It’s also about knowing whether that water is suitable for drinking and whether families can access it consistently and conveniently. These are everyday concerns for Filipino households, and we believe families should have more practical options to address them,” Ngo said.
Beyond the refill
For households that depend on refilling stations, maintaining a regular supply can mean monitoring stocks, arranging deliveries, and storing containers.
The burden varies depending on location, household size, storage capacity, and the reliability of local delivery services.
Directly connected filtration systems offer another option for homes and businesses with a suitable incoming water supply. But convenience is only one consideration. Water quality, installation requirements, maintenance, and total cost also matter.
Ngo said consumers should look beyond the price of individual refills when assessing their drinking-water arrangements.
From South Korea to the Philippines
Vince and his sister Venice Ngo first became interested in water purification systems after seeing how they were incorporated into everyday life in South Korea.
The experience prompted them to consider whether a similar approach could work in Philippine homes and commercial establishments.
“Whenever Venice and I traveled to Korea, we noticed how naturally water purifiers were integrated into everyday spaces. It was such a simple convenience, yet it made us wonder why more Filipinos couldn’t enjoy the same thing in their own homes and workplaces. We experienced that ease abroad, and we wanted to bring it home,” Ngo shared.
The siblings subsequently brought Pureal to the Philippine market through Visionary Grand Corporation.
The company markets Korean water filtration technology for homes, condominiums, cafés, restaurants, and workplaces, with a focus on directly connected systems that do not rely on conventional refill containers.
A tankless alternative
Water purification systems vary widely. Some powered units heat or chill water, while others provide filtered water at ambient temperature.
Pureal’s Direct, Mini Changer, and Line Changer models use tankless, direct-flow filtration technology connected to a suitable incoming water supply.
The three models dispense ambient-temperature filtered water without electricity and are designed with user-replaceable filters, allowing customers to carry out routine filter changes without scheduling a technician.
The systems still require periodic filter replacement. Consumers, therefore, need to account for the initial purchase price, installation, replacement filters, and other maintenance costs when comparing them with refilled or bottled water.
Compatibility is another consideration.
Buyers need to check their incoming water source, water pressure, and installation conditions before choosing a system. No filtration system is suitable for every water source or household setup.
For households with limited storage space, a direct connection can reduce the need to keep refill containers on hand.
Pureal’s tankless models filter water as it is dispensed, provided there is sufficient incoming water supply and pressure.
Because the featured models do not require electricity, they can continue dispensing filtered water during a power interruption if the incoming water supply remains available. They will not operate during a water-supply interruption, meaning households may still need emergency drinking-water reserves.
From homes to commercial spaces
The company is also targeting commercial establishments where drinking-water access is part of the daily customer and staff experience.
Through Pureal Partners, its purification systems have been introduced at establishments including 717 Deli, Three Dots, Hackensack, and Jabroni’s.
For businesses, the appeal can extend beyond the physical footprint of water containers to installation requirements, maintenance, and the consistency of the incoming water supply.
A changing drinking-water market
Refilling stations, bottled water, and household filtration systems are likely to continue serving different segments of the Philippine market.
For consumers, the appropriate option depends on factors including water quality, supply reliability, available space, convenience, and long-term maintenance.
For Pureal, the opportunity is not only to sell filtration equipment but also to build familiarity with direct-flow purification and the maintenance required to operate such systems.
Visionary Grand Corporation plans to expand Pureal’s presence in Philippine homes and commercial spaces while developing consumer education and local after-sales support.
“For years, many Filipino households have relied on buying, collecting, or having drinking water delivered. We believe there is an opportunity to rethink that routine as more filtration options become available,” Ngo said.
“Our goal is not simply to introduce another water purifier, but to help Filipinos see that accessing drinking water can be more convenient and integrated into everyday life. Whether at home, in cafés, or in workplaces, we hope to make filtered drinking water a more familiar and accessible option, much like what we have experienced in Korea,” he added.
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