Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Heavy rainfall did not deter drink enthusiasts from all over the metro from converging for the launch of the new website DrinkManila.com on the evening of August 25th at the steampunk-inspired cocktail bar, Hooch. The first and only online drink destination in the Philippines, DrinkManila seeks to bring all things drink-related to the Filipino public. The website covers news, features, products, and events in the beverage category, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with stories about the unique local drinking culture, easy-to-follow drink recipes and videos, the best places to drink in the metro, and the people who work hard to create our favorite drinks. Cherry Malaya and her crew played smooth RnB hits as guests enjoyed free-flowing cocktails, Scotch, wine, and champagne served in Schott Zwiesel glasses. Guests were plied with a steady stream of craft cocktails created especially for the launch by Hooch’s creative team led by head bartender Sam Webster, made with spirits from DrinkManila sponsors: the spicy So Hot Right Now (Absolut Blue, orange, and chili), the indigo-hued In the Bushes (Absolut Kurant, blackberry, apple, and basil), the refreshing Remy Mistral (Remy Martin VSOP, cucumber, apple, lime), the crisp Tito’s Garden (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, apple, cucumber, and elderflower), and the robust High Society (Chivas Regal 12y/o, Pedro Ximenez, and pineapple). Bruichladdich, The Classic Laddie Islay single malt hit the spot for whisky lovers while AWC Philippines, Inc. supplied guests with full-bodied Chateau Cap de Fer 2012 and sparkling wine Anna de Codorniu. DrinkManila’s Editor-in-Chief Tatum Ancheta, president and CEO Arnold Liong, Marketing Director Icy Mariñas, and publisher Patricia Romualdez toast to DrinkManila.com. Drink Manila founders Patricia Romualdez, Icy Mariñas, and Tatum Ancheta Cheers to DrinkManila DrinkManila.com is led by publishing industry veteran Tatum Ancheta as the Editor-in-Chief, restaurateur and booze-columnist Icy Mariñas as Marketing Director, and publisher Patricia Romualdez. They are backed by President and CEO of MFCB Group Arnold Liong. Mr. Liong addressed the revelers, inviting everyone to check out the innovative website, and declaring that this is definitely something to watch out for and that the best is yet to come. DrinkManila.com is published under Stargate Media Corporation, the same publishing house of PeopleAsia Magazine. There was also a raffle of nearly a dozen prizes: bottles of Absolut, Remy VSOP, Tito’s Vodka, Chivas, Bruichladdich, rare bottles of Godet Cognac (including the brand new Antarctica Icy White) from AWC Philippines, Inc., a decanter from Schott Zwiesel, and a bottle of Anna de Codoniu sparkling wine. This was definitely not the night to abstain. Everyone was craving a drink (or five), which works perfectly for the website’s tagline: Are you thirsty? The answer can be found at DrinkManila.com. This event was made possible with the support of our sponsors: AWC Philippines, Inc., Remy Martin, Bruichladdich, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Chivas Regal, Absolut, Hooch, and Schott Zwiesel. Hooch’s head bartender Sam Webster created the special cocktails for the night Chivas Regal, Absolut, Remy Martin, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bruichladdich, AWC Philippines, Inc.’s Godet Antarctica Icy White, Cognac, Chateau Cap de Fer 2012 and sparkling Anna de Codorniu Tito’s Garden (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, apple, cucumber, and elderflower) So Hot Right Now (Absolut Blue, orange, and chili) Remy Mistral (Remy Martin VSOP, cucumber, apple, lime) In the Bushes (Absolut Kurant, blackberry, apple, and basil) High Society (Chivas Regal 12y:o, Pedro Ximenez, and pineapple) Bruichladdich, The Classic Laddie Islay single malt Anna de Codorniu sparkling wine Hooch’s Sam Webster and Smith Foundry’s Milena making the nights special cocktails Smith Foundry’s Head bartender Milena helping out behind the bar Hooch’s senior bartender Cedric Cello mixing up cocktails for the night General Manager of GDS Asia Andrew Baltazar won a bottle of Godet Antarctica Icy White ABV’s Ken Bandivas wins a bottle of Absolut from our raffle. Photo with DrinkManila’s Icy Mariñas and Tatum Ancheta Emperador Distillers, Inc.’s Wines and Spirits specialist Yiannis Gerard Papageorghiou, Ej Villafranca, AWC Philippine’s Hugo Moronval, and Ken Bandivas BevTools.com’s Bea Santos took home a bottle of Bruichladdich, The Classic Laddie Islay single malt Larry Guevarra took home a bottle of Chivas 12 Sara Black Cherry Malaya band. Catch them play in Hooch every Thursday night Hinge Inquirer Publications Publisher Bea Ledesma Lianne Belamide and Emperador Distillers, Inc.’s Wines and Spirits specialist Yiannis Gerard Papageorghiou LVMH’s Alex Flores and Charlyn Joaquin Nikka Mandilag and Malaya Pasion Distelleria Limtuaco’s Aaron Aw, Larry Guevarra, Dix Perez, and Sante Perreras Brian Perley, Sarah Tanalgo, Weizel Gulfan, and Lee Watson Icy Mendoza Bernice Bachar Daisy Sabangan, James Jimenez, and Anton delos Reyes AWC Philippine’s Hugo Moronval Ana Gonzalez, Izzy Gonzalez, and Brian Perley Weber Shandwick’s Rominan Cunanan, Aileen Co, and Grace Diez FCB Manila’s Ron Ryan Bugis and PeopleAsia’s Greggy Vera Cruz Our President Arnold Liong also celebrated his birthday during DrinkManila launch Fernando Sarael Jr. and Libby Gy Panaligan Diageo’s Gerard Escay, Lori Linsey, and Rian Asidao Diageo’s Rian Asidao and Raffles Long Bar Orman Bag-ao Gitri San Diego, Nj Torres, Icy Mendoza, Tatum Ancheta, and Icy Mariñas Digital FCB Manila’s team DrinkManila’s Tatum Ancheta with Diamond Hotel’s Abby Caracas and Melanie Samonte FCB Manila’s Lizette Santos, Propel Manila’s Marishka David, FCB Manila’s Ellen Samano, Janet Barbara Liong, and Arnold Liong Jane Chan Villa Kyle Vergara Kim Barik Malt Manila’s Karrie Bitanga Palliard PeopleAsia Magazine’s Sheree Chua, Monica Tiosejo, Paolo dela Cruz, Ramon Ruiz, with Ana Gonzales.jpg Samsung Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Chad Sotelo and Elaigh Sotelo Marie France’s NJ Torres and Tito Herbosa Marishka David, Boy Martirez, and Arnold Liong Tedrick Yao Ron Ryan Bugis, Dotie Bulan and president and chief operating officer of Weber Shandwick Philippines’ Diana Lesaca For more information about DrinkManila.com visit the site today or follow @DrinkManila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Video coverage by Star Sabroso • Photos by Miguel Bernal