Philippines – The Boys Club – Part Two

Alcohol

I mentioned in the last article how accepted drinking is for men in the Philippines, and how Filipina ladies generally don't have a problem with a man relaxing and being himself.

You learn not to use the word “alcohol” for something you wish to drink. Every household here, and in fact many a handbag too, contains bottles of Green Cross rubbing alcohol. Ask at the shop where they keep the alcohol, and that is where they send you to. Good for hand-sanitising, but probably tastes nasty! (Do I need to write a disclaimer? DO NOT DRINK HAND-SANITISER, AS IT MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS!)

No, you ask for the specific thing at a Filipino store. If you want beer, you ask for beer. If you want spirits, you ask for WINE! Yes, wine! Most locals are unaware of the fruit-of-the-vine product here, and refer to rum, gin, brandy, etc as “wine”! Don’t bother trying to explain. You will cause confusion. And don't request the house-red at the sari-sari store either!

Beer in the Philippines

Beer? San Miguel is the favoured brew. San Miguel Brewery is an offshoot of a Spanish brewery, established here in 1890 and with almost-complete market domination. From the standard Pale Pilsen, San Miguel Light (low calories….not low alcohol), San Miguel Super Dry, Cervesa Negra, to San Miguel Premium. And of course the much-feared Red Horse with 6.8% alcohol….the cause of many a headache. Locals could never see the logic in low-alcohol beer. Defeats the purpose!

Beer can be purchased anywhere. Supermarkets, sari-sari stores, and even at service stations! Yes, think THAT one through for a minute! In the province, amongst the lads who like to sit on those stools that look like small saw-horses, are big fans of Red Horse. The usual practice is to get it room-temperature from the sari-sari store and add chunks of ice to it.

(Yes, I sense the hushed silence and the dropping jaws from Aussie males!)

Cost? P28 for a 330ml San Miguel Pale Pilsen. That’s around 80 cents Aussie these days. More expensive at the bar, of course. Certainly cheaper than beer in Australia.

Spirits in the Philippines

Spirits (aka “wine”)? There are a number of locally-made products here. Popular is Tanduay Rum (or Rhum), Ginebra Gin, Emperador Brandy, and there’s a White Castle whiskey that you can find sometimes, plus numerous vodkas and other things. Probably the most undrinkable is a province sari-sari special called Kulafu. P3 per bottle back in the 90’s. All the others? Not top of the range, but not bad either.

The thing is that spirits are really cheap here! Not $40.00 a bottle like you pay in Australia. P80 a bottle for things like Tanduay and Emperador. And even imported spirits are cheap. Bottle of Jim Beam will cost you P600 to P700 at SM.

And how to most locals consume their “wine”? Mostly straight, generally over ice. And many will follow this with a chaser of water. Mixing with coke or sprite? Most locals have never tried this, however very easy to get in any bar or restaurant. Although you will occasionally get a shot of gin with a separate can of tonic water if they don't quite get it.

And again, you will find Emperador, Tanduay and either Ginebra or some cheaper type of gin at sari-sari stores. Supermarkets will have a good range. Imported products, from SM or specialty liquor shops.

And again, unless your lady is strictly religious (of the “born-again” persuasion, or from a sect that doesn’t allow alcohol), you will find little issue with you drinking in front of her or in front of her family. If an Australian man goes and drinks with her father and/or brothers, he'll go a long way to winning points in the family. Your lady may drink, but don't be surprised if she doesn’t. “Back in my day” you rarely came across a lady who drank, but will still have no problem with you relaxing and doing boy-things! That side of it hasn't changed.