San Miguel’s record-breaking Oktoberfest

By Roel Hoang Manipon, Staff Writer

09/03/2008

Filipinos have a tendency to make good things last like stretching a celebration to several days, and even months. Oft-mentioned example is the Christmas season. While the parties and the merriment occur in mid-December, the spirit is being fomented as early as September. Now, this is also being done to Oktoberfest, the month-long beer drinking festival held in October, by food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen, the country’s first and most renowned brew, recently announced the holding of Oktoberfest Siento Bente, which means there will be 120 days, or four months, of beer-drenched celebrations. This coincides with the protracted Filipino Christmas.

Not only will San Miguel be holding the longest Oktoberfest celebration, it also aims to be the biggest and “record-breaking.” In the launch on Sept. 5, San Miguel is making a bid for the Guiness World Records for the most number of people toasting and the longest beer bar, and will be flying in popular American band Third Eye Blind, who will join 40 other bands simultaneously performing during the event.

The kick-off event will be in the Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City, near the San Miguel head office, where a 600-meter bar area stretching throughout San Miguel Avenue from Julia Vargas to Lourdes Avenues, will be set up. This will break the record set by Taiwan with 240 meters. The street will be closed off to traffic, even two days before the event. Four stages will be set up for the 40 bands.

At the stroke of midnight, drinkers and revelers will be enjoined to raise their glasses and toast simultaneously. The organizers hope to break the record of 13,500 persons, set by the United States in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Another highlight of the event is the one-hour performance of Third Eye Blind, known for the hits “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Graduate,” “Losing a Whole Year,” “Jumper” and “How’s it Going to Be.”

On the same day, San Miguel Oktoberfest Siento Bente will also simultaneously kick off in Mactan Economic Zone 1, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Capitol Grounds, Iznart Street, Iloilo City, Iloilo; Victoria Plaza Parking Lot, JP Laurel, Bajada, Davao City; R. Magsaysay Drive, East Tapinac, Olongapo City, Zambales; and Paseo de Sta. Rosa Activity Center, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

The bands and performers playing nationwide will total to 40. For the Ortigas kick-off, featured performers will include Rivermaya, The Dawn, Afterimage, Nyoy Volante, Paolo Santos, Jimmy Bondoc, Nina, Rico Blanco, Reggae Mistress and Guarana. In the provinces, performers include Brownman Revival in Cebu, Itchyworms in Iloilo, Kamikazee in Davao, Parokya ni Edgar in Olongapo and Sugarfree in Sta. Rosa.

Aside from musicians, sports personalities will also grace the event, especially in the Beat the Champs corner. Efren “Bata” Reyes and the cagers of the Philippine Basketball Association are expected to be there.

“Our Filipino patrons, young and old alike, only deserve world-class entertainment from a world-class beer like San Miguel Pale Pilsen. This year’s Oktoberfest is our special way of making the world know that the Philippines is not just a beer-drinking country but a country that values and nourishes friendships like no other,” said Charmaine Bautista, group brand manager of San Miguel Beer.

Additionally for the event, San Miguel will release the limited San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer, a pale lager with malty notes and balanced with floral and citrusy hops. Made of 100 percent malt, it is said to be “full-flavored yet light-bodied, sweetish in taste, and smooth on the finish.”

San Miguel Oktoberfest is recognized by the Department of Tourism as an official fiesta celebration.

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