One gin-loving nation

TOP, from left: Vince Vandorpe, Anna Ramsey, Gab Valenciano, Angel Dei Peralta, GSM Blue Endorser and Calendar Girl Myrtle Sarrosa, GSMI marketing manager Ron Molina, Ginebra San Miguel general manager, Emmanuel Macalalag, BBAP president Jesus Biagtan, Ginebra San Miguel national sales manager Allan Mercado, Chelsea Robato, Christian Busby and Sam Ajdani. Bottom, from left: Members of the Davao Agilas, PBL president Mutley Matilla, Enzo Lim, Kalel Demetrio, Icy Mariñas, chef Rolando Laudico and Quest.

Love for gin is something that the Philippines shares in common with the world, and for 184 years, Filipinos have been enjoying the distinct taste and quality of the country’s pioneering spirit, Ginebra San Miguel.

Our drinking culture is so strong that we even have the concept of tagay, a unique way of drinking gin where one drinks from a common glass and passes it on to be refilled for the next round.

Indeed, for Filipinos, drinks are meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends. This same feeling of camaraderie, friendship, togetherness and unity is what Ginebra San Miguel aims to cultivate further as it celebrates World Gin Day as One Gin Nation.

During this year’s World Gin Day, Ginebra San Miguel gathered some of the country’s top master mixologists, a highly-acclaimed chef, popular celebrity performers, and a nation of gin lovers in one big celebration held at the Axon in Green Sun Hotel Makati.

Ginebra San Miguel took guests on a “ginstronomic” and a gastronomic tour of the Philippines. Master mixologists Enzo Lim, Kalel Demetrio and Icy Mariñas created special Ginebra San Miguel cocktails to represent the country’s three island groups.

Kalel Demetrio created the Quatro Katipunero Sour, a cocktail that incorporates the four dominant Luzon ingredients that he loves to use: kamias (bilimbi), sampaguita (Arabian jasmine), labuyo (chili) and calamansi (Indian lemon).

For Visayas, Icy Mariñas crafted the Cebu mango-based In It to Gin-It, a cocktail with flavors of sinamak vinegar, Peanut Kisses and Leyte pineapple.

As a representation of Mindanao, Enzo Lim made the Samal Beach Cocktail, a fusion of Pinoy flavors with Davao pomelo as its dominant taste.

Rock-star chef Rolando Laudico also prepared a sumptuous pulutan (small bites) feast, creatively paired with the rockstar mixologists’ cocktails. Chef Lau’s cocktail food dishes aptly named Nilasing na Sisig, Chicken Ginasal Wrap and Spicy Tuna Ginilaw.

They all incorporated have Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue Light Gin and GSM Premium Gin in the recipes.

The three mixologists were also at the judges’ panel for Mixologist Showdown, a contest where the country’s best bartenders whipped up signature cocktails using unique and indigenous ingredients that captured the spirit of the Philippines as a gin nation.

“Gin is enjoying a wave of popularity the world over right now,” said Ginebra San Miguel marketing manager Ron Molina. “Owing to its versatility, gin can mix with a variety of flavors. In the Philippines, this love for gin and Ginebra San Miguel is celebrated with regional flair and flavor. Local mixes and pairing with local food takes the gin experience to a whole new level.”

Among the guests who graced the event were famous personalities including dancer/director Gab Valenciano, Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani, vloggers Vince Vandorpe and Angel Dei Peralta and international models and reality TV stars Chelsea Robato and Christian Busby.

GSM Blue endorser Myrtle Sarrosa; singer, rapper and songwriter Quest; and Europop Festival gold medalist Ana Ramsey performed that night.

World Gin Day celebrations were also held in Cabanatuan, Cebu and Davao at selected bars and establishments where Ginebra San Miguel offers the Gin O’ Clock promo.

Now on its 10th year, World Gin Day was founded by British blogger Neil Houston and is celebrated every second Saturday of June. What started as a day to bring his friends together to drink gin has grown into a worldwide celebration. Aside from the Philippines, World Gin Day events were also held in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

Here in the Philippines, World Gin Day was first celebrated in 2014 coinciding with the celebration of Ginebra San Miguel’s 180th anniversary, highlighted by the launch of a traveling exhibit showcasing the brand’s colorful history and rich heritage.