Derek Ramsay’s Beginner’s Guide to Rum

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. 

The best way to learn more about rum is to drink it. However, it wouldn’t hurt to know about their different varieties and flavors before you have one.

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. 

Hospitality 2.0:Hotel Sogo’s Innovation in Post-Covid-19

 

What will hoteliers do differently to survive in this new normal? What are their strategies to prepare during this pandemic? 

Hotels and lodging facilities remained empty or operated at minimum capacity for months during the global lockdown. 

The world is facing an economic, health, and social crisis due to Coronavirus (CoVid-19), which is identified as an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. Truly, this CoVid-19 pandemic shook the hotel industry really hard, and turned many hotel businesses upside down, especially here in the Philippines. 

As we all know the hotel industry is designed to operate and accept guests 24/7. But because of this pandemic, travel restrictions were put in place to control the further spread of the virus.

In line with that, Hotel Sogo, the largest hotel chain in the Philippines, utilized this pandemic as an opportunity for innovation. Hotel Sogo unveiled new measures to re-establish confidence in the hotel industry as they adapt to the “new normal” state. 

Innovation as its finest. As part of their “So Clean, So Good, So Safe” campaign under its Sogo So Safe Program, concrete ways were made to increase its cleanliness standards to meet the new health and safety challenges brought on by this pandemic. 

Take a look on their innovation during this post CoVid-19 giving their patrons a So Clean, So Good, So Safe stay. 

Anti-Microbial Copper Films To increase everyone’s safety, Hotel Sogo installed Microbial Copper in frequently touched surfaces of the hotel. 

• 3M Filtrete™ Electrostatic Air Filters in All Rooms 

Sogo started installing 3M Filtrete™ 3-in-1 Technology Aircon Filters in all rooms to augment its regular aircon filters. These are made with permanently-charged electrostatic fibers that remove Microparticle pollutants that include fine dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria and viruses, resulting in cleaner air. 

• UVC Disinfection 

Hotel Sogo is also implementing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing cash registers, keycard cases, elevator buttons, and its ceiling, room door handles, as well as in food preparation for an enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes. 

With the use of UVC-light for disinfection, you are safe to stay at any Hotel Sogo branches as UVC cleans 99.99% of harmful pathogens, bacteria and viruses in seconds. 

• No-Contact Hotel Features 

As we develop more changes this new normal, Hotel Sogo has innovated all its branches in having no-contact facilities like contactless thermal detector, automatic doors, and developed the use of SaniKey for door handles, elevators buttons, and ATMs to lessen contact points and reduce the risk of virus transmission. 

• Microbial Testing 

Hotel Sogo makes sure that cleaning is accurate and effectively sanitized which gives proven results in just minutes. 

So Clean…So Good…So Safe! 

Hotel Sogo continuously vows to protect and provide excellent accommodation despite of CoVid-19 danger. 

“We promise to protect our staff and our guests who will visit our hotels, we are ready for new normal and this is a long-term commitment. This virus won’t stop each of us to create wonderful memories with our love ones. Together, let us enjoy our stay in Hotel Sogo,” Mr. Reynaldo Malaca, Hotel Sogo CEO stated. 

To find out more about Hotel Sogo, visit its website at www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow us on Facebook page @HotelSogoOfficialPage, Twitter, and Instagram @hotelsogo, and Youtube account @OfficialHotelSogo.

Sun Life Launches A Digital Wellness Platform

Digital wellness platform is designed to provide major components that are considered to be parts of a lifestyle that lead to good health. In addition to the tips about what people should do for healthy living, it helps organize and administer a wellness program.

As part of its commitment to help Filipinos live healthier lives, Sun Life Philippines has launched a premier on-demand holistic wellness platform dubbed GoWell Studio. 

GoWell Studio offers top-notch content such as follow-along exercise programs, guided meditation sessions, various masterclasses, short courses, and healthcare awareness and education. 

These will be led by some of the country’s leading fitness coaches, doctors, allied health professionals, and educators. 

The platform will also provide members with a directory of experts from whom they can seek personalized health and wellness advice. The line-up includes Ginastica Natural Philippines Founder Mark Cupino; Bukodon, Yin and Vinyasa Yoga Instructor Anna Manalastas; Myotherapist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Filbert Tan; Pilates Coach and Animal Flow Instructor Trisha Buhat; Founder of Awake.ph and Modern-day Kriya Yogi Neil Salang; Sound Healer Coach Yeyette San Luis; World Kettlebell Club Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Ayson; Alab Pilipinas, UP men’s basketball, and Petrogazz Angels Volleyball team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach Chappy Callanta; and Sports Performance Specialist and F45 Functional Strength Coach Andro Amador, among others. 

Access to the #GoWellStudio may be enjoyed exclusively by Sun Fit and Well, Sun Senior Care, and Sun Cancer Care policyholders simply by registering in the GoWell website (gowell.com.ph). 

“We take pride in GoWell Studio’s team of highly credible experts and carefully curated content, all of which a member can access in the comforts of his own home,” Sun Life Chief Marketing and Client Experience Officer Gilbert Simpao said. “Taking care of ourselves remains crucial now that we are still in the middle of the pandemic. We invite everyone to become members of GoWell, Sun Life’s community that promotes holistic wellness through a fit and active lifestyle, healthy eating, and living a healthier life.” 

Those who wish to know more about Sun Life’s health and accident insurance products are encouraged to consult a Sun Life advisor or visit sunlife.com.ph. For more about Sun Life’s health and wellness initiatives, visit gowell.com.ph and follow @SunLifePH and @GoWellPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. #

Tanduay Rum Awarded Medals in Spirits Awards Belgium

  

Dubbed “The United Nations of Fine Spirits”, the international competition rewards spirits from across the globe. It has a panel of internationally renowned experts assessing and classifying whiskies, cognacs, brandies, rums, vodkas, and gins, among others.

Tanduay products continue to gain recognition from prestigious spirits competitions abroad. Most recently, Tanduay Asian Rum Gold and Tanduay Asian Rum Silver were both awarded silver medals at the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial in Brussels, Belgium.

“There are many fine spirits around the world, and we are honored that our products have been chosen as two of the best. We accept this recognition with both pride and humility, and we thank all our people for their hard work and dedication in continuous-ly crafting quality products that are proudly Philippine-made.” ~Paul Lim, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing

The Tanduay Asian Rum Gold is one of the company’s most-awarded products. Aged in used Bourbon barrels for seven years, it is silky smooth with elegant flavors, almonds, dried dark fruits, and island spices. 

The Tanduay Asian Rum Silver has also received several recognitions throughout the years. It is aged in used Bourbon barrels for five years and had hints of dried tropical fruits, vanilla, and toasted coconut.

This year, Tanduay continued to expand its international presence when it inked deals with top wines and spirits distributors from several U.S. states. Its U.S. presence now encompasses Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Wisconsin, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California, Tennessee, and Michigan, and the territory of Guam.

Tanduay has also expanded its market in China and entered Singapore. The company is likewise working on its distribution in Europe.

Hotel Dreamworld Lends a Helping Hand in Marikina City

The best way to deal with the aftermath that cause by natural disasters is to help. Every donation, regardless of size, helps to rebuild the affected communities. With the support of the Marikina City Vice Mayor Marion Andres (left) and Marikina District 1 Councilor Rommel Acuña (right), Hotel DreamWorld succeeded in giving more than 2,000 food packs to the affected areas of typhoon Ulysses in Marikina District 1 in the following barangays; Brgy. Sto. Niño Pearl St. Emerald Village, Brgy. Tañong, Brgy. Malanday Purok 5 and 6, Road 3 Paradise Lower Malanday Hoa, Brgy. Dela Peña Zamora St., and Brgy. Industrial Valley Complex. More than 500 families were benefited in the said activity. 

Hotel DreamWorld together with Marikina Government Officials, distributed food packs to six barangays at Marikina District 1 to provide immediate help to the victims of typhoon Ulysses last November 26, 2020, Thursday. 

For more information about #HotelDreamWorld kindly visit their website at http://hoteldreamworld.ph/ or you may call (8) 7900-900.

Eurotel Hotel Extends Help to the Community

A compassionate and supportive environment is much needed when disaster strikes. We wanted to highlight the efforts of members of the Government and private organizations working together that are currently directing aid to the Philippines. 

#Eurotel is one of the many helping hands that provides on-going relief operations to one community at a time.

Eurotel Hotel volunteers reached forward to the typhoon-stricken community of Sitio Kayrupa, Barangay San Rafael, Rizal last November 29, 2020. A total of 300 relief goods such as clothing, food packs, toys, and vitamins were given to the affected residents and distributed to poor and low-income households during these times of disaster. 

“As part of the EuroReach’s initiatives, Eurotel’s corporate social responsibility program, we would like to extend our help to more indigent communities in the country. Also, I would like to thank our media partners and the LGUs who helped us; this donation drive wouldn’t be successful without you”. Mr. Edmundo Las, Board of Director, announced.

Hotel Sogo Advocacy for Health and Safety in this New Normal

 

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has impacted every aspect of our lives worldwide. Now that we are under General Community Quarantine, a lot of industries have gone back to its operations and many of our fellow kababayans go to work almost every day. Thus, risking important factors in our daily lives –health and safety. 

It is essential that we understand what measures can be implemented to protect not only ourself but also the people around us. In an effort to control the community spread of the virus, social distancing has been recommended globally. To help support this effort, Hotel Sogo’s Initiative in time of Pandemic recently showed how they care to our kababayans as they gave free face shields to commuters along Hotel Sogo North Ave. branch. 

 “As we initiated in giving free face shields, we want to remind the people that their health and safety comes first in this time of pandemic. And with that, we are more than happy to promote that Hotel Sogo will be giving more free face shield among specific Hotel Sogo branches along EDSA”. Ms. Sue Geminiano, Hotel Sogo Marketing Manager said. 

To continue in raising the awareness of wearing face shields and face masks, #HotelSogo is giving away free COVID kit to its guests in the participating Hotel Sogo branches:

• Pasay Harrison
•  Pasay Rotonda
• Guadalupe
• EDSA-Cubao
• North EDSA
• Bagong Barrio

Guests who will have a bill total of 600 pesos and up will have a chance to get free Hotel Sogo face shields and face masks by simply coordinating with the front desk. 

The use of face mask and face shield has been a must for commuters as mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) last August 2020.

To find out operational Hotel Sogo branches and for updates and promos, visit our website at www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow us on Facebook page @HotelSogoOfficialPage, Twitter and Instagram @hotelsogo, and Youtube account @OfficialHotelSogo.