Women Bartenders on Creating Cocktails With Tanduay, Defying Stereotypes, and Thriving in a Male-Dominated Field

As renewed interest in cocktails continue to grow, bartenders are also taking the spotlight, and in El Nido and Siargao, two bartenders are paving the way for women to shine in a male-dominated industry. 

Sharleen Antonio works with her husband and fellow bartending professional, Larry Guevara, in one of Palawan’s top beach destinations. Riza Delguime, meanwhile, is a bartender for a leading resort in the country’s surfing haven.

Creating Tanduay-Infused Cocktails

 

Both women have been bartending for years and share a preference for Tanduay in creating cocktails.

“It’s very easy to mix in cocktails because of its unique and bold character. I usually go for the classic Tanduay Dark Rum in my root beer and rum with a squeeze of fresh lemon. I have my own signature cocktail, which is perfect when I mix it with Tanduay. We have female guests here in the resort who would request for cocktails that are not too strong, and I would make one for them also using Tanduay. There are different varieties of bars here like sports bars and pool bars, and they are all super busy because of the many tourists who visit our island. It’s very easy to mix in cocktails because of its unique and bold character. I usually go for the classic Tanduay Dark Rum in my root beer and rum with a squeeze of fresh lemon. While I may have experienced some catcalling and received some indecent proposals from male guests in some instances, I have to say that I have been lucky to have always worked with my husband behind the bar. In 2016, we joined Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 to show that there is more to bartending than meets the eye. That would be the key to your success. Bartending is fun, and you get to entertain guests. Gone are the days when women were simply considered as bar backs or force multipliers during busy bar shifts. Or worse, simply as ornaments behind the bar. It is my wish that female bartenders will continue to flourish and leave their own mark in the field we all so love and are passionate about.” ~Sharleen Antonio, works with her husband and fellow bartending professional

She shared that they used Tanduay rums in her bar management class back in college, so she is very familiar with the brand. Collaborating with the brand, she came up with three Tanduay-infused cocktails that are perfect for any time of the year -- the Mango Basil Mojito, Tanduay Espresso Martini, and Tanduay Old Fashioned.

Delguime likes Tanduay’s sweet and strong flavor. Foreign customers would usually ask what rum brand she uses in her cocktails and would then request drinks infused with Tanduay rums.

Delguime further shared that the bartending scene in Siargao has always been “good and clean.”

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Antonio shared working in a male-dominated industry wasn’t easy in the beginning. Women bartenders used to be seen as just “cotton candies” behind the bar to attract male clients and rake in tips.

Advice for Aspiring Bartenders

Delguime advised aspiring bartenders to just be themselves. 

Antonio, meanwhile, has made it her advocacy to educate people about bartending as hospitality and F&B professionals.

Antonio wants to motivate, inspire, and empower women bartenders and those who would like to start a career in the bartending industry. She and her husband have been conducting workshops and seminars around the country to help aspiring bartenders better their craft.

New Tanduay Select TVC with Bea Alonzo Invites You to “Take Your One Shot To Make A Change”

Tanduay Calendar Girl Bea Alonzo features in the latest Tanduay Select commercial, where she encourages people to take a shot at making the right choice.

“If you make the right choices, kaya mong magpasaya, kaya mong magbukas ng puso. Have the guts to choose para maitawid mo ang pagsubok (If you make the right choice, you can bring happiness, open hearts. Have the guts to choose, so that you can overcome obstacles). Every choice you make, kahit gaano kaliit, may kabutihang makakamit (Every choice you make, no matter how small it is, would achieve something good).” ~Bea Alonzo, Tanduay Calendar Girl

Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development Manager and Senior Brand Manager, said that the “Your One Shot to Make a Change” TVC seeks to inspire people not to waver with their decisions.

“People are constantly confronted with choices, and some of these choices have the potential to change the course of our lives. Bea is the perfect embodiment of this. She showed that getting out of your comfort zone can lead to new opportunities for growth. We always have ‘what ifs’ in our life. What Tanduay Select wants you to realize is that your one shot or decision can be the change that you need or the change the world needs. You can create an impact or even inspire people, even just one person, to likewise make that change.” ~Marc Ngo, Tanduay International Business Development Manager and Senior Brand Manager

Recently, Bea’s made a bold move as she transfered from her old home studio to GMA that initially surprised the public. With the new shows and endorsements that followed, she showed that she made the right choice for her career.

Stock Up on Your Favorite Tanduay Products in Time for the Holidays

 

Don’t wait for the holiday rush to stock up on your liquors. Head to www.shots.ph to purchase your favorite Tanduay products. Shop without the hassle with just a few clicks or taps. To make your shopping even easier, the official e-commerce store of Tanduay offers several product deals that you won’t find elsewhere.

• Assorted Bundles

Tanduay’s Asian Rum Gold and Silver are two of its most-awarded products. It has been recognized in numerous international wines and spirits competitions. With the Asian Rum Bundles, you can purchase these products along with add-ons. The bundles are available from PhP1,200 and up.

Asian Rhum Bundle #1

Asian Rhum Bundle #2

Asian Rhum Bundle #3

Asian Rhum Bundle #4

Asian Rhum Bundle #5

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your rum-loving friends and colleagues, you’ll never go wrong with the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Silver in a specially designed packaging by Kenneth Cobonpue. It also comes with a rock glass designed by the renowned Filipino artist.

Asian Rhum Gold & Silver Kenneth Cobonpue Edition

Asian Rhum Gold & Silver Kenneth Cobonpue Edition

Other rum bundles that come with assorted freebies such as chips, ginger ale, and rock glasses are also available. There are bundles for whiskey lovers, too.

• Not Just Rum

Not only does www.shots.ph carry Tanduay’s most popular and awarded spirits, it also offers premium Tanduay merchandise. Visit the merchandise page (https://shots.ph/collections/merchandise) for apparel, bags, and collectibles that would be the best gifts for the family.

The Theo, Philo & Tanduay Infused Chocolate is also available in the online store. This specially crafted bar combines Theo & Philo’s famous chocolate flavor with the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold’s oak and honey-like taste with hints of almond and vanilla.

Explore the website to learn more about the latest available products.

• Available for Pickup and Delivery

Pickups are available from Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Pickup locations include the Shots PH Headquarters in Kapitolyo, Pasig; the Tanduay Sales offices in Pampanga, Cebu, and Laguna.

Delivery is available in Metro Manila and select areas of Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Albay, Laguna, Cavite, Cebu, and GenSan (only in areas without a liquor ban).

For more information, you may leave a message through Shots by Tanduay’s Facebook page or through Viber message at 09171330786.

Ivana Cools Down With the Tanduay Mango Rhum

Ivana revealed that she has always been fond of Philippine mangoes, which are considered the best in the world. With mangoes cut in cubes, 30 ml of Tanduay Rhum, lime juice, sugar, salt, seltzer, and ice cubes — you can recreate Ivana’s favorite Mango Rhum.

Ivana Alawi, revealing one of her most-loved cocktail mixes using Tanduay Rhum. Among her favorites is the "Mango Rhum", which she said reminds her a lot of summers. She represents the modern Calendar Girl — strong, hardworking, has a heart for helping others, and knows when to relax and have a good time.

“I love preparing this cocktail because it’s so easy. But more than that, it tastes really great. You can have it any time of the day to give you a taste of summer. You can really taste the difference when you try out varieties from other countries. There’s something distinctly Filipino to it like the Tanduay Rhum. During these times when there’s a lot going on in the world, it’s important to be kind to others and to ourselves. Find time to chill and relax, whether by yourself or with your loved ones.” ~Ivana Alawi, Tanduay Calendar Girl 2021

All you need to do is blend the mangoes, lime juice, sugar, and salt in a blender. Once it has been properly blended, put the mixture in a glass. Add the Tanduay Rhum and stir. In another glass, put the cubes of ice then pour the mixture in. Add the seltzer, stir, and enjoy your very own Mango Rhum!

Ivana said that this cocktail mix is the perfect summer drink to have while you relax during the weekends or your virtual gatherings via Zoom with friends and colleagues.

To see how Ivana’s favorite Mango Rhum is done, scan the code below.

Beginner’s Guide to Rum from Derek Ramsay

There are different varieties and flavors of rum. The best way to learn more about rum is to drink it. 

Actor and Tanduay Rum’s long-time endorser Derek Ramsay can give you a tip or two to learn more about one of the biggest-selling spirits in the world.

Rum can be mixed as a cocktail, enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or on the rocks. 

• White rums are usually used for cocktails, while dark and golden rums are enjoyed neat or with ice. “I like my rum on the rocks! I usually enjoy a drink before I call it a day,” said Ramsay.

How they’re made determines their taste. 

• There are different kinds of rum in the world, and the ingredients, distillation, and aging process play a huge role in how they taste. In other countries, they are made from raw sugarcane or distilled in a wood-fueled fire. For its Philippine-made rums, Tanduay uses first-syrup molasses that are extracted from the initial boil of quality sugarcane. They are then fermented for 24 to 32 hours prior to distillation after which they are stored in Kentucky bourbon barrels. A master blender, who serves as the guardian of the company’s rum formulas, along with rum specialists will then check the rums for consistency before approving them for bottling and packaging. “Where it came from, who are its makers. Knowing these will assure you of the quality of the rum. Personally, I’d like to get to know my drink of choice,” he explained.  

Dark rum is aged five years or longer, while gold rum is aged at least three years. 

• The former has a heavier body with hints of caramel and tropical fruits, while the latter has a rich taste with hints of vanilla spice. “I prefer the bold flavors and woody notes of dark rum when I find myself in a more pensive mood. When I feel like celebrating with my best buddies, I bring out the gold rum,” he revealed.

White rum is light-bodied with a sweet and spicy taste.

• This makes it perfect for cocktails such as mojitos and daiquiris. “When I feel like spending a cozy afternoon with friends or when hanging out with them in clubs, you can start the fun with a choice of mojito or daiquiri,” he suggested.

Premium rums are sipping rums.

• Some enjoy it neat, while there are those who have it with ice or water. You can also add lime or citrus to it. “Eventually, as you develop a liking for rum, you explore the premium rums. Like the Tanduay CLX Rum, you’ll get hints of chocolate and vanilla, tropical fruits, and orange zest. It’s a different experience altogether,” revealed Ramsay. 

Try different rum varieties.

• Before you get your hands on premium rums, which are the most expensive rum variety, try out the more affordable ones first to determine the ones you like and how you want to drink them. “Lastly, don’t be afraid to explore. Find the rum that best fits your taste for as long as you get to the one,” Ramsay concluded. 

About Tanduay 

Tanduay is one of the most-awarded rum brands in the Philippines, receiving various local and international citations. In 2017, it was declared the World’s Number One Rum by Drinks International magazine. Tanduay will hold this title for three consecutive years. Tanduay started out as a distillery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, a province in the island of Luzon known for its heroes and craftsmen. It changed ownership throughout the decades and has been under the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, Inc., one of the biggest conglomerates in the Philippines, since 1988. Even as the years passed, Tanduay has maintained the traditional way of distilling its rums, a practice that started in its now decommissioned Manila distillery. It has likewise consistently maintained its product quality, ensuring that Filipinos and foreigners alike will enjoy the same taste and aroma of a Tanduay product wherever they are in the world. 

Tanduay Stages Online Concert With Parokya ni Edgar This June 19



 



Sama-sama tayong bumangon at magkaisa sa ating #TibayNgLoob! Magtugtugan tayo kasama ang Parokya ni Edgar sa Tanduay Isang Tinig with Parokya ni Edgar, ngayong June 19, 8:00PM, live sa Tanduay Rhum Official Facebook Page.

 

Parokya ni Edgar rocks with Tanduay in an online concert this Friday, June 19. Tan-duay Isang Tinig with Parokya ni Edgar will be aired via the Tanduay Rhum Official Fa-cebook page at 8 PM.

“At Tanduay, we encourage everyone to have Tibay ng Loob (resolve) and this event is the embodiment of that. We are staging this concert to help uplift the Filipino spirit dur-ing these challenging times and, at the same time, promote online socializing and en-tertainment so that we can continue to observe social distancing. Parokya ni Edgar has performed with us since 2011 and has been a part of our Tan-duay Rhum Rockfest and Tanduay First Five concert tour nationwide. Tanduay is a staunch supporter of OPM music and usually chooses its artists not only because of our history with them but also on how well they connect with their audience. It's im-portant for us to make our audience smile in these trying times.” ~Paul Lim, Tanduay Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing

 

Parokya ni Edgar will be performing some of their biggest hits. They will also perform some of the viewers’ song requests.

 

Questions will be flashed during the concert, with special prizes awaiting lucky viewers who will send in the correct answers.

 

The online concert will have a tambayan segment where the band will share what they have been up to during the quarantine period. Viewers are encouraged to participate in the online interaction by sending in their comments.

 

This is not the first time that the popular band has performed for Tanduay.

 

For more information about the online concert, visit the Tanduay Rhum Official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TanduayRhumOfficial/. Set Reminder na, mga katropa!

 

 

 



Tanduay’s Exciting New Cocktail Flavors Now Available via Shots.ph

 

Tanduay Distillers has released three new cocktail flavors – piña colada, strawberry daiquiri and green margarita – via its new e-commerce website, shots.ph.

 

Released under the brand name Tanduay Cocktails, the three variants come in three-liter containers with an easy press spout.

 

Also, all flavors are infused with Tanduay’s signature White Rum and contain 10% alcohol.

 

Piña colada is a blend of White Rum with flavors of coconut and pineapple. Strawberry daiquiri has added flavors of strawberry and citrus fruits. Green margarita, on the other hand, is a smooth blend of triple sec with flavors of tequila and citrus fruits.

 



Customers can also order Tanduay’s award-winning rums such as the Tanduay Asian Rum Sil-ver, Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Tanduay CLX, among others.

 

The website also carries Tanduay branded merchandise like backpacks, sweaters, duffle bags, premium pens, and hoodies.

“We want to make it easier for our customers to enjoy their favorite Tanduay products. With a few taps on their computers and mobile devices, they can have their orders delivered straight to their home. Shots.ph is mobile-optimized, so they can easily place an order through their mobile phones.” ~Garry Ong, Tanduay’s National Marketing Manager

No minimum or maximum purchases are required, and customers can even order in bulk if they want to. Tanduay’s own fleet of delivery vans will bring their orders to their preferred addresses.

 

Shots.ph carries both local and exported spirits. Tanduay’s limited-edition rums will also be made available soon.

 

 

 

Tanduay Thanks Farmers, Distillers for Its Latest Awards - Pinoy Trends Online

 



Tanduay Asian Rum Gold topped the list with a gold medal. One of Tanduay’s most awarded products, it is known for its smooth flavor with the richness of vanilla and notes of oak on its finish. It is aged in used bourbon barrels for seven years.

 

Tanduay is grateful to the farmers and distillers behind its products, as it won five medals from the Beverage Testing Institute.

“This is good news not just for us but for the entire country as well, as our products are all proudly Philippine-made. During these challenging times, let us not forget what makes this country great and it’s our people. We raise a glass to our sugarcane farmers and distillers. Without them, Tanduay would not have perfected its process of creating the world’s number one rum and continued its success for more than 100 years. We are thankful for the recognitions that we receive as they are testament to our people’s hard work and innovation. We are proud to produce a world-class product from the Philippines.” ~Paul Lim, Vice President for Sales and Marketing

Silver medals, meanwhile, were awarded to Tanduay Asian Rum Silver and Boracay Cappuccino Flavored Rum. Tanduay Double Rum and Boracay Coconut Flavored Rum both received bronze medals.

 



 



Founded in 1981, Beverage Testing Institute provides reviews for wines, spirits, and beers. It uses “industry-leading methodology co-developed with Cornell University” in its evaluations.

 

 

Tanduay Continues Int’l Expansion with Presence in Guam



 

Most recently, Tanduay was declared Brand of the Year by the World Branding Forum, a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing branding standards. This is the fifth year that the company won the prestigious award.

 

Tanduay, the world’s number one rum according to Drinks International, continues its aggressive international expansion. Most recently, the 165-year-old Filipino brand partnered with one of Guam’s leading spirits distributor, TITAN Imports, for its distribution in the U.S. territory.

“We believe that the brand will grow in the state of Guam having a lot of Filipinos residing in that state who’re familiar with the brand, and the locals of Guam themselves who’re looking for quality products.” ~Paul Lim, Tanduay Senior Vice President for Marketing

.The event included a brand education seminar conducted by Tanduay Business Development Manager and TITAN managing director John Antenorcruz.

 

A bartending competition followed, where contestants where challenged to create drinks using Tanduay Dark Rum, Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, and Guam’s freshest ingredients.

 

A cocktail event was also held in another venue, The Atrio, to celebrate the distribution deal with F&B directors, restaurant managers, hotel owners, and business decision makers in attendance. They were provided with entertainment along with specialty drinks and exciting prizes from Tanduay.

 

For the past three years, Tanduay has been aggressive in opening new markets for its quality rums in countries outside of the Philippines. In 2018, its volume in the US grew by 114% year-on-year, from the first half of 2018 versus the first half of 2017.

 

Its overall product sales grew by 3% in 2018 from 2017, making it the world’s best-selling rum for two years running. According to Drinks International, Tanduay 20.1 million 9-liter cases in 2018. It is the only rum brand to reach the 20 million mark for that year

 



Major Festivals in Bacolod celebrated Tanduay’s Rum Fest



 

The City of Smiles headed by Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia now has six major festivals in its annual roster with the recent inclusion of the Rum Festival sponsored by Tanduay. This makes Bacolod the city with the most number of major festivals in the Philippines.

“Fortunately for us, Tanduay really invested into this. It made the Rum Festival a reality and a big success, judging from its initial staging. It started with a big bang, and this big bang would resonate for sure in the years to come. For our other festivals, it was a case of holding the festival first, testing it, then later on legitimizing it through the legislative process,” Mayor Leonardia said. “This one (Rum Festival) was an ordinance before it became a festival. I consider myself an accidental politician. It all started when I got involved with the Masskara Festival. I was the one who drafted the constitution and by-laws of the Masskara Foundation. When I received invitations to run, I decided to join, run like it was another student council election. Even if you don’t have much money, if the people want you, you could become mayor. When you’re in tourism, you have to be people-oriented. You also go to a lot of places, your horizons get widened, your views become broader, and you get insights. You learn to think of the total development of the community and society. If you think about it and look back, we should be asking ourselves why we haven’t done this earlier. When you talk of rum, you talk about it being a derivative of sugar, and Bacolod is a city that has developed and prospered because of the sugar industry. It made us so rich, and it has also made us poor. It had its ups and downs. The Bacolodnons are the kind of people who are basically happy. We enjoy life. We know how to celebrate. We know how to spend our money. It’s a natural habitat for festivals, and this is the right place to hold the Rum Festival.”  ~Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia , Bacolod City Mayor



 

Held from Aug. 17 to 24, the week-long event is the first of its kind in the country. Known as the Tanduay Rum Festival, the event paid homage to the humble sugarcane as well as celebrated the Filipinos’ skill in the visual arts, culinary arts, mixology, dance, and music. For eight days, Bacolodnons participated in the Barrel Art Painting contest, basketball court painting, Culinaria and Mixology competitions, 5K Rum Run, float parade, street dance contest, and a concert headlined by iconic rock band Sandwich.

 



Mayor Leonardia was president of the Student Council when he was studying Law at the University of Negros Occidental. he had specifically included a provision that said the chairman of the Maskara Foundation should not hold an elective position. Later on, Mayor Leonardia would come to the realization that the kind of involvement he had with the Masskara Festival was something that he was inclined to do.

 

The Rum Festival was staged after an ordinance was passed declaring the the third week of Au-gust as the date for holding the Rum Festival. In the ordinance, its author, former City Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang cited how Bacolod has been dubbed as the “Sugar Capital of the Philippines” and is the “home of the world’s largest selling rum.”

 



 

The Rum Festival joins Bacolod’s major festivals that include the Masskara Festival in October, the Bacolaodiat in January, Diwali in November, Chicken Inasal in May, and Halandumon in June.

 

 



Hosting festivals is not something new for Mayor Leonardia, who has been involved with the ini-tial staging of the Masskara Festival—Bacolod’s most popular cultural celebration. He used to head the Masskara Foundation, and he has also worked for the Department of Tourism before running for public office after the EDSA Revolution.

 

When he finally threw his hat into the political arena, he emerged as the number one councilor in his first try. He received a record number of votes, even more than those of the mayor or vice mayor during that time.

 

In the next election, he won again, this time as vice mayor. When he finally decided to run for mayor, he successfully toppled the ruling dynasty in his city. Heading the dynamic city of Bacolod, Mayor Leonardia cited his experience working in the Tour-ism Department as a factor in helping him deal with people and visitors.

 

In staging the first Rum Festival in the country, Mayor Leonardia it’s only fitting that it should be held in Bacolod.

 

Mayor Leonardia likewise pointed out that Bacolod is a good place to hold festivals because of its people.

 

 



Tanduay Distillers, Inc. recently entered into a partnership with Octopus Distribution Networks

Mr. Lucio K. Tan Jr., President and COO, Tanduay Distillers Inc.



Tanduay increased its market share abroad by expanding its distribution networks. It is currently available in the USA, Germany, China, UAE, Guam, and Australia.

 

In 2017, it further amplified its marketing initiatives. From that year, it experienced a two-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 86.25% in its export business.

 

Tanduay Distillers, Inc. recently entered into a partnership with Octopus Distribution Networks, the leading distributor for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Singapore, to further its international expansion plan.

 

To celebrate the deal, it held a rooftop launch at the Octopus Building in Ubi Road 3 in the Lion City. With the theme "Tanduay Sunset Party", the event was attended by Tanduay President Lucio K. Tan, Jr., the executives, and staff of the Octopus Group, F&B directors, restaurant owners, bar managers, and members of the media. Tanduay's resident mixologist, Dondz Bolante, served high-end cocktails such as the Guava-Basil Mint, Tanduay Negroni, Manila Mule, and Basil Mojito.

 

After the party, the Octopus Group held a trade launch at El Mesa in Clarke Quay. Attendees enjoyed free-flowing mojitos, Dondz special macadamia sour as well as Lechon while being entertained by El Mesa's in-house bands.

“Partnering with the Octopus Group is part of our effort to bring Tanduay to the global market. We are glad to finally make our products available to our kababayans in Singapore and at the same time introduce them to the Singaporeans.” ~Tanduay President and COO Lucio K. Tan, Jr

Present during the rooftop launch in Singapore were (from left) Mr. Paul Lim, SVP for Marketing, Tanduay Distillers Inc.; Mr. Marc Ngo, Senior Brand Manager, Tanduay Distillers Inc.; Mr. Daniel Schwalb, Chief Commercial Officer, Octopus Group; Ms. Dato Elaine-Teh, Executive Chairman, Octopus Group; Mr. Lucio K. Tan Jr., President and COO, Tanduay Distillers Inc.; Mr. Matthew Ruscoe, Managing Director, Octopus Group; Ms. Karlu Tan-Say, Director of Eton Properties; Ms. Jane Ong , AVP for Exports, Tanduay Distillers Inc.; and Mr. Roy Sumang, Asst. Manager for Business Development, Tanduay Distillers Inc.



Tanduay is also the official rum of the Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets. It has been a Presenting Sponsor of the 40/40 CLUB and an Associate Sponsor of the arena's Brooklyn Show platform.

 

Tanduay has also previously sponsored and will continue to sponsor the Emmy Awards this year.

 

Declared the World’s Number One Rum by Drinks International for two consecutive years, Tanduay has received numerous awards from international bodies, the most recent of which were from the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

 

Tanduay’s international marketing initiatives include creating a presence in both sports and entertainment. It has a partnership with the Golden State Warriors, making it the first Philippine brand to sponsor an NBA team. It has naming rights to the Tanduay Club in the Oracle Arena, and Tanduay Rum can be found at retailers in the Golden State Warriors’ blue and gold “Strength in Numbers” collectible boxes in California.