Ginebra San Miguel (GSM) is celebrating its 185th anniversary next year. And to marke the milestone, it is coming out with a 2019 calendar (as is usual) with probably another iconic Filipino having made the Philippines proud when she brought home the elusive Miss Universe title and crown in 2015.
Yes, Pia Wurtzback agreed to be the face and body of the GSM 2019 calendar. And when she was presented to members of the mass media last week, the hall was recharged as she sashayed up to a podium built especially for the occasion.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Ginebra San Miguel family,” Pia said during the Q&A later. “I’m even prouder to represent an iconic Filipino brand that’s trusted and recognized all over the world. We both have the never-say-die spirit—we’re not going to give up until we’ve made all of our dreams come true.”
We are proud to have Ms. Pia Wurtzbach as our Ginebra San Miguel 2019 Calendar Girl,” said GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina. “Pia is the perfect person to represent the brand, an epitome of what the brand stands for.”
“It’s an honor for me, especially since the 2019 calendar also commemorates Ginebra’s 185th anniversary,” Pia said. “This is an experience I won’t forget since this is also the first time I’ve done a swimsuit photo shoot since competing at the Miss Universe pageant.”
As the 2019 Ginebra Calendar Girl, Pia appears in three classic portrait-styled calendars featuring the brands Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, GSM Blue Flavors and Vino Kulafu. She will also be in two designs of panoramic-styled 2019 calendars featuring all the Ginebra blands including Primera Light Brandy, Antonov Vodka, Anejo Gold medium Rum and Don Enrique Mix-kila.
From Ginebra San Miguel’s humble beginnings in a small distillery in Quiapo, Manila in 1834, the alcoholic beverage has been a part of the Filipino story and tradition—in every Filipino celebration, no matter how big or small. Through the ups and downs of the country’s history, Ginebra San Miguel has been there, cheering on the victors and consoling those who have suffered losses.
And as the brand became a part of everyday life, it came to understand the deep complexities of Filipinos—our spirit that never gives up, our passion and courage to stand up for what is right, and our resilience and the desire to serve others, to carry on for the sake of our loved ones. Dahil Pilipino ako. Matapang ako. Ginebra ako.
As the world’s no.1 selling gin, Ginebra San Miguel has been reaping international awards since 1883. Winning the silver medal at the 1883 Amsterdam World Exposition, the brand has also been recognized with numerous quality excellence awards, including the Grand Prize in 1889 Exposicion Paris and the Silver Medal in 1902 Exposicion Hanoi. And since 1990, Ginebra San Miguel has been consistently recognized by the Monde Selection International Institute for Quality Selections for its high quality and taste.
It’s no secret that Pia is an unabashedly determined woman who has hurdled several obstacles, including joining Binibini Pilipinas three times, before eventually winning the title of Miss Universe. As only the third Filipina to do so in the prestigious pageant’s almost 70-year history, the drive and grit that she showed as she pursued her goal endeared her in the hearts of many, especially her countrymen, who, aside from relating to her struggles, were given another reason to be proud to be Filipino.
Scarred but not scared
The Hope for Lupus Foundation held a photographic exhibition.“Scarred but not Scared” featuring the photographs of multi-awarded photographers Jose Antonio T. Aliling, Bien S. Bautista, Josefino Mario De Guzman, and Maria Victoria Manotok Arroyo. The exhibit hoped to bring closer to ordinary Filipinos the faces of those who triumphed in their fight to overcome the autoimmune disease called Lupus. The exhibit also served as a tribute to all friends, relatives, and patients that had fought bravely and has since passed on.
The Founder of the Hope for Lupus Foundation, Department of Justice Undersecretary, and former DIWA Party-list Representative, Emmeline Aglipay-Villar expressed high hopes that with continuous education and awareness on lupus, the foundation could create interventions in whatever form it may be. The undersecretary believes that initiatives like the exhibit could bring out a strong voice that supports the advocacy, and eventually, a society that rallies towards a world without lupus—a vision that the foundation carries.
Lupus, a systematic disease that affects multiple parts of the body, leads to scarring, destruction, joint pains, and deterioration of vital functions, among other known symptoms. If you have the disease, your immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, damaging various body systems like joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
Aglipay-Villar was diagnosed with Lupus in 2007. It took several months and numerous tests before Aglipay-Villar confirmed that she was suffering from lupus.
“For those who seek to understand better, may this be the start of your journey for more enlightenment. And for those who carry the same cross, we hope for this to serve as a beacon of hope that amidst all the uncertainty and pain, there is always a smile that shines from within.” Said Aglipay-Villar.
Hope for Lupus aims to promote the early detection and proper treatment of lupus by increasing awareness about this mysterious condition.
“I think through this exhibit, people will get to understand Lupus more because the photos are very relatable. They will see the scars, they will see the vulnerable side of every (Lupus) warrior,” she explained.
Apart from the exhibit, she wrote two books, Living Better With Lupus and Lupus Kayang-Kaya Ko ’To, a comprehensive guide for patients and their families.
Scarred but not Scared was at Greenbelt 5, at the second-floor exhibit hall from Oct. 13 to 20 and will tour various venues across the archipelago.
The celebrities who support the cause are doing all they can, yet Aglipay-Villar knows that increasing Lupus awareness needs all the help it can get.
She is the wife of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
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