The Philippine Gin We’ve Been Waiting For My career in the beverage industry has given me many opportunities to try new spirits and have a variety of drink experiences. I’m always on the lookout for something new and worth sharing. I’m interested in all aspects of drinks; from how it tastes, smells and feels, to the brand story, bottle details, and process. Gin is one of my … Read More
How Women Shaped the History of Booze Women’s contributions to the history of alcohol have been greatly overlooked and undermined over time, with only a few household names and trivia making it to general knowledge. Their discoveries and accomplishments are undeniable and have greatly influenced the course of booze history. Let us honor the women who have paved the way for us and those who are still … Read More
Reliving Old Manila with Santa Ana Gin Growing up, I’ve heard countless stories of how life used to be in Manila. There were black and white photos taken when my grandmothers were still young, showing their travels, how they dressed, and the food they ate that seemed painstakingly prepared. I can just imagine the flavors and the scents! The elegance and affluence of the old word captured … Read More
Drinking Responsibly Amidst Climate Change It is fascinating to note the importance of alcoholic beverages in humanity’s lives as a centerpiece for strengthening bonds, socializing, celebrating, or simply de-stressing. After water and tea, beer is the third most popular drink in the world and the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. In 2016, the annual global average alcohol consumption per person over 15 … Read More
The Korean Influence on the Local Drinking Scene The Korean craze or “hallyu” entered the Philippines a decade ago when the foreign drama “Jewel in the Palace” landed on our TV sets and introduced hansik (traditional Korean food) to Filipinos. Hallyu, with its Koreanovelas, K-Pop, and Korean food, has proven to be a major pop culture influence for the past decade. And its drawing power just quadrupled with … Read More
Wine and Wellness Beyond the Bottle As people cope with the city lockdown, we turn our attention to what’s important — one’s health and wellbeing. Thus, many Filipinos are now learning how to cook not only to pass the time but also to enjoy a good dish. And there’s nothing quite more enjoyable than eating a delicious meal plus uncorking a bottle of wine to pair … Read More
Sip and Slow Down With the whole of Luzon under enhanced community quarantine and many parts of the world under even more extreme levels of quarantine, it feels as though humanity is forced to stop, drop what we’re doing, and just sit still. This quarantine period is the best time to redirect and harness energy inward through mindfulness. In December 2017, British journalist and … Read More
How to Have an E-Numan We are social animals and a close interaction is imperative for mental health. Drinking, for one, is a social activity that is essential to friendships, community, and industry. Filipinos love to drink with friends and family around. Inuman, the Tagalog word for drinking, is an integral part of Filipino drinking culture, wherein the concept of tagay — that can mean … Read More
10 Drink Industry Personalities Share Their Resolutions for 2020 Resolutions are inevitable every new year. As drinkers, there are certain things we promise to do (like pacing our drinks) — and never do again (like downing a tray of shots)! To cap off 2020’s first month, we asked our friends in the industry to share their resolutions. From drinking more water to never drinking baiju again, check out the … Read More
6 Reasons Why You Should Take Up a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Course How many times have you found yourself confused at what to get from the wine and liquor aisle? More and more brands and bottlings are coming out of the woodwork, more choices which is great, but it also leaves us with a sea of products to navigate. The wine selections alone can get you a bit cuckoo, should you get … Read More