‘Sarap mag babad’ this summer

AS SUMMER is about to start, beer drinkers will surely enjoy this year’s one of the most anticipated events, the “Sarap mag babad” series of summer parties specifically conceptualized by beer market leader San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB).

The series of summer parties to be held every Friday starting March 15 until the whole duration of summer is a way of celebrating the Filipino’s zest of fun, friendship and pulutan (beer match), in the company of one of the world’s best-tasting beers, San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

In a press conference held in Cebu City last Monday, SMB President Roberto N. Huang describes that San Miguel Pale Pilsen gives a treat to the barkada to a taste of summer that is expected to be “classic, refreshing, accessible and rewarding to beer drinkers who want to maximize their hard-earned money.”

For this year, Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City was chosen by the company to become one of the official tambayans for the San Miguel Pale Pilsen “sarap mag babad” taste of summer for Mindanao leg along with Magallanes in Davao City together with popular bars and food destinations in Visayas namely the Food Park in Ormoc and Tagum and Larsian in Cebu City.

Huang said it is important for San Miguel Beer events to be relevant to the needs of the customers and synonymous with the brand’s attributes, hence the trademark summer event of its iconic brand San Miguel Pale Pisen should be no-fuss, straightforward, exciting and genuine.

“We want to deliver to our customers what they want, so it is only right that we give them what they basically want in a summer get-together,” said Huang.

And who doesn’t want a free pulutan? Only in babad, the barkada are in for a ‘pulutan’ blowout for every six, 12 or 24 bottles of San Miguel Pale Pilsen that they will order in babad venues.

Apart from the cool sounds provided by contending bands, guests will also be entertained by joining, if not watching, the wildest pulutan challenge, an onstage game for the barkada that challenges them to finish the wild exotic pulutan.

Weekly winners in all six babad areas will get a total P300,000 cash prize.

During the press conference, some journalists enjoyed an advance party of SMB and were able to taste the different exotic pulutan experimented by the country’s renowned chef, Gino Gonzalez, and Chef Erfe from the Center of Asian Culinary Studies.

Chef Gino said pulutans are best if there is beer.

“As for the summer babad parties, we will introduce different pulutans such as dinuguang baboy ramu longganiza, balut omelette, kalderetang conejo, binawangang langgam ng baka, stuffed battue, cow seed, silk worm in mixed nuts and crocodile curry,” he said.

He said this appetizing treat can be purchased in participating convenience and sari-sari stores in Visayas and Mindanao during the entire “sarap mag babad” season.

Consumers can also take home free cans of purefoods sisig for their purchase of San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

One popular babad component is the San Miguel Pale Pilsen Battle of the band which was re-launched last year to accommodate popular requests from aspiring bands that play relaxing music reminiscent of summer like reggae, acoustic, alternative, pop, R&B and other non-rock genres.

To join, interested bands of three to seven members may audition on said babad venues during the actual babad parties.

Close to P300, 000 cash prizes are up for grabs for all the winning bands.

“Sarap mag babad” is also part of the grand radio promo dubbed “Bueno Mano Salvo Year” in partnership with Bombo Radyo Philippines.

For a chance to win P1 million tax-free, consumers should submit their entries with 2013 specially-marked crowns of San Miguel Pale Pilsen 320ml or 1000ml.