Story & Photos by Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes
THE “Red Eagle Head” logo placed on original automotive glass, along with other related products, has been a symbol of an enduring brand for more than 65 years now.
A company which only started from a 150-sq-m space in Avenida Rizal by the loving and hardworking couple lawyer Lauro and wife Maria Aguila has now flourished to 25 branches in Luzon, with the latest opening in Taytay, Rizal, and Olongapo City in Zambales.
This scribe was present during the launch of the store in Taytay and was personally impressed by the said undertaking.
Known as the country’s garment and woodwork capital, the little bustling town in Rizal is home to centuries of the county’s most skilled craftsmen and, thus, this ever-booming municipality, in fact, is placed in the pedestal as the second-most economical borough in the Philippines.
“We welcome Aguila Auto Glass in our town with open arms and that we look forward to a very fruitful and promising partnership with you,” then said incumbent Mayor Joric Gacula.
Aguila Auto Glass President Pia Mirasol who now represents the third generation of the clan, meanwhile acknowledges the account, and states that the said opportunity vows to generate more strength to Taytay’s economy thru this expansion.
“Like what we have always done, we will continue the legacy passed down to us and our long heritage of excellence and quality service will be shown in our various dealerships, such as this,” she imparted.
The company, Universal Glass Co. Inc., with its trademark Aguila Auto Glass, was founded on February 18, 1952. From the very beginning, they have partnered with internationally renowned glass industry leaders, including PPG, Pilkington and Mikado, to further strengthen its manufacturing capability and improve the quality of its products. With the partnership, they were able to adapt the concept of “we install, while you wait,” which allows them to provide the proper product for a particular model at the quickest time possible.
Today, the company carries over 3,000 types of automotive glass for both old- and late-model Japanese, Korean, American, European and Chinese brands, including original and replacement windshields for a huge range of imported luxury models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Their outfit also specializes in bus and truck windshields in various sizes, as well as made-to-order glass, for custom and specialty vehicles, such as the Philippine utility vehicle e-Jeep and rare car-restoration projects.
The other branches across Luzon are the following: Abad Santos, Alabang, Angeles, Baliwag, Banawe, Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Evangelista, Imus, La Trinidad, La Union, Laoag, Legazpi, Lipa, Marikina, Naga, Pasig, Quezon Avenue, San Fernando, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Sucat and Valenzuela.
Through time, many have tried to copy their successful glass business with counterfeits. As a way to differentiate the original from the fakes, all certified Aguila Glass products now carry the Philippine Standard license and Import Commodity Clearance marks. This assures consumers that all automotive glasses sold by the company are compliant to mandatory quality and safety standards. Thus, not to mention the trademark registered Red Eagle Head logo that further fortifies its originality.
Now, before we wrap things up, admittedly the title may sound off to most as it can easily be found slurring to that old university down Katipunan road, especially when the writer mentioned royalty and even denoted an ever-powerful bird of prey. However, this scribe (an Atenean himself) undeniably believes that said company (bearing the eagle with a different kind of hue) deserves the esteemed crown as they indeed truly are the kings in automotive safety glass in the country.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes