Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), the renowned maker of the world’s leading gin brand, is set to celebrate World Gin Day (WGD) in style with a series of exciting events. With a media launch on June 8 at The Westin Manila in Ortigas, GSMI kicks off a month-long celebration to honor June as World Gin month. The festivities, centered around the theme of “Cool, Clear, and Versatile,” will highlight gin’s enduring influence on global drinking culture and its role in celebrations and everyday triumphs.
The Legacy of World Gin Day
Since 2014, GSMI has spearheaded the celebration of World Gin Day in the Philippines, bringing the first WGD festivities to the Asia Pacific region. As the pioneer of this event, GSMI aims to foster a greater appreciation for gin among Filipinos. The company aspires to highlight the outstanding qualities of gin as a “Cool, Clear, and Versatile” drink, perfect for any occasion.
Gin’s Cool, Clear, and Versatile Qualities
Gin’s popularity has remained unwavering since its inception in the 17th century. Loved by many, its enduring appeal can be attributed to its unique taste, derived from a combination of juniper berries and a variety of botanicals. GSMI emphasizes gin’s “Cool” factor, which adds a touch of timeless elegance to any drinking experience.
Moreover, gin’s “Clear” and pure quality is a result of a meticulous distillation process that brings out its best flavor. With nothing to hide, gin stands as an honest and transparent spirit. Finally, gin’s inherent “Versatility” makes it a drink of choice for both purists and cocktail enthusiasts, as it can be enjoyed neat or mixed with other ingredients to create a range of exciting concoctions.
Personalities That Embody Gin’s Unique Characteristics
To promote a deeper appreciation for gin, GSMI has enlisted three authentic personalities who epitomize the qualities of gin. Zanjoe Marudo, the actor and model, represents the “Cool” aspect of gin. Basel Manadil, popularly known as “The Hungry Syrian,” embodies the “Clear” nature of gin. And Herlene “Hipon Girl” Budol showcases the “Versatility” of gin. These three personalities will grace the WGD celebration and participate in various events throughout the “Gin Is In” festivities in June.
GSM Bar Academy Graduates Take the Stage
One of the highlights of the World Gin Day celebration is the participation of three mixologists who are scholar-graduates of the Ginebra San Miguel Bar Academy. This partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provides Filipinos with an opportunity to transform their lives through education, focusing on bartending, flairtending, and basic entrepreneurship.
The GSM Bar Academy aims to produce globally competitive and job-ready graduates, elevating the quality of the bartending profession. The academy boasts an impressive 100% immediate employability rate for all its 2022 graduates. During World Gin Day, three academy graduates will showcase their mixology skills in a friendly competition, highlighting the theme “Gin Is In.” The competition will feature Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue, and GSM Premium Distilled Gin.
“Gin Is In” Nationwide
To ensure that gin enthusiasts across the country can join in the “Gin Is In” festivities, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. has organized mini-events in around 50 bars nationwide. These bar activations, held in cities such as Pampanga, Naga, Cebu, and Cagayan De Oro, will offer exclusive promotions, raffle giveaways, and outlet merchandising, providing a memorable experience for all attendees.
Furthermore, the second season of the G-MIX Nation Online Series, hosted by Luis Manzano, will be launched as part of the WGD celebration. This series will showcase new cocktail recipes, allowing viewers to explore the versatility of gin. Additionally, the Home Bar Kit, featuring Ginebra products and cocktail mixing tools, will be available online and in select supermarkets.
Sustaining the Momentum
The “Gin Is In” celebration during World Gin Day is just the beginning of a series of exciting events. From July to December, hundreds of on-premise outlets will host various activities, with participating venues receiving exclusive benefits and consumers receiving special “Gin Is In” stubs to support their patronage.
Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin brand, proudly leads the World Gin Day celebration in the Philippines. Gin enthusiasts can look forward to a month-long celebration in June, featuring a diverse range of events and activities that highlight the “Cool, Clear, and Versatile” qualities of gin. As GSMI continues to innovate and introduce new variants, it remains a timeless classic, deeply rooted in Philippine gin culture.
