This year, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) marked World Gin Day in June by shining a spotlight on its partnership with TESDA—a collaboration that, for more than a decade, has transformed lives, opened doors to opportunities, and helped elevate bartending education in the Philippines.
Since 2014, the GSMI-TESDA partnership has produced hundreds of job-ready graduates whose skills have led to rewarding careers in high-end bars, hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, and hospitality establishments in the Philippines and abroad.
For many graduates, the GSM Bar Academy has become more than a training program—it has become a pathway to a better future.
“I’m very thankful to the GSM Bar Academy for the opportunities it has opened for me,” said Ann Rose Tapar, a March 2025 Bartending NC II graduate who now has experience in some of BGC’s top bars. “The training gave me the skills, confidence, and discipline needed in the industry. More importantly, it helped uplift my life and showed me that with the right training and determination, bigger opportunities are possible.”
Her story reflects that of many scholars, including JP Peñaflor, a 2022 Bartending NC II graduate who has worked as Head Bartender and Mixologist at an Italian restaurant and is now part of a five-star hotel bar in BGC.
“The GSM Bar Academy opened doors that I never imagined possible,” JP shared. “The training gave me not only technical skills but also confidence. It prepared me for real industry conditions and helped me pursue opportunities that changed my life.”
The partnership began in 2014 during the 180th anniversary celebration of Ginebra San Miguel. Initially providing scholarships in bartending, flairtending, and entrepreneurship, the program later evolved into the GSM Bar Academy in response to the growing demand for quality hospitality training.
As part of this year’s World Gin Day celebration, the Academy welcomed content creators for a firsthand look at its impact and introduced its new micro-credential bartending course.
“A micro-credential is a short, focused learning program designed to develop specific industry skills,” explained TESDA trainer Shella Bawar, an ASEAN National Master Trainer and National Lead Assessor. “It is ideal for individuals who want to explore bartending, enhance their competencies, or discover whether a career in hospitality is right for them.”
The Academy’s strong employment record recently earned Bawar a Certificate of Commendation for achieving one of the highest employment rates among programs under the TESDA Women’s Center.
“This recognition reflects the success of the program and the achievements of our graduates,” Bawar said. “It affirms that we are producing job-ready professionals equipped with the skills demanded by the industry.”
Today, the Academy serves as one of TESDA’s premier showcases for technical-vocational excellence, featuring a professional bar laboratory, flairtending gym, and hospitality training facilities that provide real-world industry exposure while promoting GSMI’s “Gin Responsibly” campaign.
Through the National Certificate II (NC II) Bartending Program, scholars undergo intensive training in bartending, customer service, beverage preparation, responsible alcohol service, and workplace professionalism. The Academy has also earned prestigious recognitions, including the TESDA Kabalikat Award, the International CSR Excellence Award in London, and Brazil’s Green World Awards.
GSMI is the producer of the world’s largest-selling gin, Ginebra San Miguel. Its other quality distilled spirits include GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Lychee Martini, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, GSM Blue Light Gin, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, Archangel Reserve Premium Dry Gin, Antonov Vodka, Freedom Island Light Rum, Primera Light Brandy, the Philippines’ no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu, and Vamos Tequila Gold.
