One Ginebra Nation: A testament to 185 years of Ginebra San Miguel
When you say gin in the Philippines, only one brand comes to mind: Ginebra San Miguel. Wherever you are, whatever your status, whether celebrating milestones or unwinding at the end of the day, it has become part of the Filipino’s way of life. Perhaps this is because Ginebra San Miguel represents more than a drink. It is a testament to the passion, perseverance and the unwavering spirit of the people it has served for almost two centuries. The Birth of an Icon The story of Ginebra San Miguel is the story of a drinking culture that began on March 10, 1834. From its humble beginnings in a small distillery in Quiapo, Manila, Ginebra San Miguel, the first-ever gin in the Philippines, was initially produced to cater to the affluent and colonial elite who stayed on in Manila and later shared with other wealthy Filipinos. Back then, Ginebra San Miguel was bottled in 20-liter glass jars wrapped in rattan weave called the dama juana. The brand, already an awa...