A Journey Through History

Gin, beloved by many across the Philippines, has a storied history that mirrors the country's own cultural evolution. Introduced during the Spanish colonial period, gin quickly became a favored drink among the locals, transcending social classes from the illustrados to the masses. Its versatility and affordability made it a staple in Filipino celebrations, from grand fiestas to humble family gatherings.

Ginebra San Miguel, founded in 1834, has been at the heart of this tradition. Over the years, it has become more than just a beverage; it has woven itself into the social fabric of the nation. Known for its resilient spirit and the iconic “Never Say Die” attitude, Ginebra San Miguel symbolizes the enduring and unwavering spirit of the Filipino people.

The Legacy of Ginebra San Miguel

Ginebra San Miguel's legacy is not just about its longevity but also about its commitment to quality and innovation. The brand's history is marked by numerous accolades and recognitions, attesting to its excellence in gin production. Among these, the prestigious Monde Selection International Quality Institute Awards stand out, showcasing Ginebra San Miguel's global standard.

The "Never Say Die" spirit, epitomized by the brand’s popular slogan, resonates deeply with Filipinos. It speaks to the nation’s perseverance through hardships and its collective hope for a brighter future. This spirit was evident at "The Art of Gin" event, where guests celebrated not just a brand, but a cultural icon that has stood the test of time.

The Archangel Reserve, the highlight of its ginnovation.

As Ginebra San Miguel commemorates its 190th anniversary, the introduction of the Ginebra San Miguel Archangel Reserve marks a significant milestone. This super-premium dry gin is a testament to nearly two centuries of gin-making expertise. Crafted from a blend of six botanicals—juniper berry, angelica root, coriander seed, lemon peel, orange peel, and liquorice—distilled in copper stills, the Archangel Reserve offers a smooth and balanced finish that caters to discerning palates.

Bottled in a striking emerald green Frasco, the Archangel Reserve features the image of St. Michael the Archangel, a nod to the brand’s rich heritage. This new addition to Ginebra San Miguel’s portfolio stands alongside other premium offerings like the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, catering to modern and sophisticated tastes.

A sense of pride beams to all the guests who took a shot of the Archangel Reserve. It represents Ginebra San Miguel's commitment to excellence and dedication to providing consumers with the finest distilled spirits. This gin is perfect for those special moments that deserve a distinguished toast.

Community and Celebration

The significance of Ginebra San Miguel in the community cannot be overstated. It has been a part of Filipino life for generations, from everyday socializing to landmark celebrations. The brand's affordability and quality have made it the drink of choice for many, bridging social divides and bringing people together.

At the heart of the event was a celebration of community and togetherness. The Art of Gin event was a vivid display of how Ginebra San Miguel continues to be an integral part of Filipino culture. A rich blend of history and modern innovation. 

World Gin Day provided the perfect backdrop for Ginebra San Miguel to showcase its rich history and innovative spirit. This global celebration, dedicated to all things gin, highlighted the cultural significance of this beloved beverage. Gin enthusiasts worldwide raised their glasses in unison, celebrating a drink that has stood the test of time and trends.

As guests mingled and enjoyed the festivities, the event underscored the importance of understanding and appreciating the history of gin in the Philippines. It was a reminder that every bottle of Ginebra San Miguel carries with it a legacy of craftsmanship, community, and an unwavering spirit. 

The Ginebra San Miguel Archangel Reserve is more than just a new product; it is a symbol of the brand’s enduring legacy and commitment to quality. It invites both long-time fans and new enthusiasts to partake in a piece of history, to celebrate the moments that matter, and to embody the "Never Say Die" spirit that defines the Filipino heart.

Raise a glass to Ginebra San Miguel, to its 190 years of excellence, and to the many more years of celebration to come. Discover the rich history, savor the innovations, and become a part of the enduring legacy that is Ginebra San Miguel. Cheers to the spirit that never says die.

Every year most of the Barangay Ginebra fans awaits for the unveiling of its Calendar Girl. From the time it started in 1988, which was then Ginebra Angels, up to this date people has always been expecting and guessing who will be the next Calendar Girl. Now, it seems that picking that specific girl or the one has become a yearly responsibility of Ginebra San Miguel Inc. It may be an inspiration for the masculine men but today it is a source of strength and empowerment for the feminine. 

Yassi was surprised and honored when she got a call that she was chosen to be the newest member of the GSMI family. “Being a part of such a great legacy is something that is going to be a milestone in my life,” says Yassi. “It’s really something special to be part of a company that serves world-class quality products, and it means a lot to me that they chose me to be a part of the brand,” she continued.

It was the first time again, after two years, that the event was held face-to-face. “We are excited to finally hold our Ginebra San Miguel 2023 Calendar Girl launch live again! For us, this launch also signals the atmosphere for next year. The pandemic has affected many Filipinos, but now is the time to recover—armed with Bagong Tapang, to dream and hope again, and to spread that positivity to others,” says Marketing Manager Ron Molina.

With the theme “Queen of the Barangay,” the calendar features Yassi as a modern Filipina that is able to adjust to the new normal with positivity and productivity through her “matapang,” “ganado,” and “never-say-die” attitude.

YASSI AS “QUEEN OF THE BARANGAY”

Yassi prepared herself physically and mentally to be the best representation of what an ideal Ginebra calendar girl should be. She admits that prior to her selection, she was always trying to keep herself fit. “Of course, there were times that I also had to give in to my cravings, but at the end of the day, I knew my priority was to be stronger, healthier, and happier.”

Preparing for the calendar shoot, Yassi pushed herself to do weight training, boxing, and having a healthy diet. “My fitness journey helped me become a better version of myself.” As for her mental preparation, she just kept in mind Ginebra’s taglines like “Ganado sa Buhay,” and “Never-Say-Die.”

With Yassi’s positivity and optimism in life, her personality shined through the six layouts of the Ginebra San Miguel 2023 calendar. The photo shoot was also done on location after two years, reflecting the relaxed and open atmosphere we anticipate in the coming year.

The six layouts are inspired by different cocktail mixes. The first one is “Ginsu Mix” set in an auto repair shop, reminding the importance of hard work and passion in everything we do. The second layout is “Calamansi Surprise,” showing Yassi amidst greenery and nature.

“Kula-Orange Fizz” is the third layout, featuring a background filled with dried pampas grass with wooden trays where one can display spirits and mix cocktails. According to Yassi, she could relate to this design as she had her dream home renovated recently, which now features a lot of touches of brown wood furniture and neutral shades. “I also have a mini bar in my living room–an open space to bond with my family and friends.”

The fourth layout is the “Velocity Mix,” something that seems like it’s from a blockbuster summer movie complete with a ref full of Ginebra products. While “Sky Prisma” is the fifth layout, also in a beach setting, but this time with a picturesque sunset in the background. Last is the “Mango Daiquiri,” where Yassi is magnified by a bonfire by the beach, the best place to experience Ginebra’s creative cocktails and concoctions. Just don't forget your coolers and ice boxes for that perfect night!

Personally, it was hard for Yassi to choose a favorite among the six calendar layouts, but she has a bias toward the “Velocity Mix.” “It’s because I always enjoy beach time with family and friends–a ‘ginstronomic’ trip with our favorite food and gin. The drink also has candies and gummies–the perfect combo for me, as it is sweetness with a kick!”

YASSI ON BEING A MODERN FILIPINA

During the pandemic, the actress and entrepreneur has gained new discoveries about herself–a new purpose, pride, and passion that resonates not only with her family but the whole barangay.

As an empowered Filipina woman, Yassi owns multiple businesses, knows how to tend to her organic garden, fixes things at home, and concocts rejuvenating drinks for herself and her family—all while fulfilling her commitments in the entertainment industry.

With her self-discovery, Yassi also realized to be kinder to herself and has become the “matapang” woman she is by refusing to let difficult circumstances pull her down. “When I was younger, my father always advised me to keep trying because, as he said—if you try and try and you succeed, you’re going to be happy, but if you try and try and you fail, I’ll be there to catch you,” says Yassi. Her family, the source of her “tapang,” made her fearless in the face of whatever trials or tribulations she may face.

Despite her personal struggles, Yassi continues to hone the talents that she already has and allows her inner beauty to radiate, too, in order to inspire others. According to her, she shows her most natural self online and sometimes even reveals some not-so-glamorous side of a celebrity because she believes that it would be healthy for people, especially the youth, to see that genuine side of her.

“I am open to everybody [on social media] about my battles and journey toward being healthier and stronger,” says the 2023 Ginebra calendar girl. “Whenever I get messages from little girls or any netizen saying that I inspire them to dance, act, and to keep moving forward, it gives me the ‘ganado’ feeling and hope and aspiration to empower more women!”

If there are things that the pandemic or the recent months have made women realize, it’s that they can accomplish things that are not expected from them and deliver more than the ordinary. “I think Ginebra San Miguel chose me because I embody courage, passion, and its never-say-die spirit. Growing up in showbusiness, you'd experience a lot of rejections and comments from people, and while we know we should just brush them off—especially the non-constructive criticisms—they sometimes get to you,” adds Yassi.

But amid all these rejections and disappointments in the past, Yassi just soldiered on, keeping a “never say die” attitude. Eventually, she became unstoppable, brimming with positivity and personality, allowing her to rise above the crowd.

As “Queen of the Barangay,” Yassi and her friends know how to have a good time—with good music and drinks, as seen on her social media posts. “We love theme parties; the last one we did was about sunflowers. We also did disco and Coachella.” 

The new brand ambassador also shared that her favorite gin drink is the GSM Blue Mojito because of its light taste and her friends can easily enjoy the drink by just simply putting ice or adding any fruits like pineapple for a fruity flavor. As GSM’s newest brand ambassador, Yassi hopes to spread positivity and continue to inspire and empower women and the youth—sharing the “ganado” spirit with her 28 million followers on social media.

THE GINEBRA CALENDAR TRADITION

The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl is a long-held tradition in GSMI and an important part of the brand’s history. Since its inception in 1988, beauty queens, actresses, and models who have made their mark in their respective fields have graced the Ginebra San Miguel calendar. Among them were Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014), Anne Curtis (2011), Solenn Heusaff (2012), Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019), Sanya Lopez (2020), and Chie Filomeno (2022).

GSMI is the producer of Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin, according to the leading global drinks journal Drinks International. GSMI’s other quality distilled spirits include GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Antonov Vodka, Añejo Gold Rum, Primera Light Brandy, and the Philippines’ no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu.

For more details, log on to www.ginebrasanmiguel.com or visit the official Ginebra San Miguel Facebook page www.facebook.com/BarangayGinebra.

 

“More than just a pretty face, our Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl for 2021 definitely personifies our latest campaign ‘One Ginebra Nation.’ We were not only charmed by her intelligence, but also by her optimism, her courage, her never-say-die spirit, her heart for others, and love for her kababayan. We feel that she best represents the brand and we are very happy to welcome Christelle to our Ginebra San Miguel family,” relates Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) Sales and Marketing manager Allan Mercado.

As in the past, the Ginebra San Miguel calendar is considered as a stepping stone for up-and-coming artists and personalities.

For Christelle, being chosen as the next Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl is an opportunity of a lifetime. “I’m so thrilled. I’m so proud and honored to represent Ginebra San Miguel. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m so grateful to be a part of such an iconic and historical brand,” she says.

To prepare for her Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl shoot, Christelle made sure that she is both physically and mentally ready. “I already do a lot of weights and cardio workouts. I’ve become accustomed to that lifestyle not because I want to look good physically but also because I want to feel good mentally. And I think that’s really important especially at this time,” relates Christelle, who at the start of the pandemic put up a fundraising effort called “Kapit-bisig Tayo” to assist healthcare workers.


REVISITING HER ROOTSYou can also check my Kwento Ni Toto YouTube channel.