The Filipinos’ penchant for drinking has not slackened. In fact, it has become a passion and an outlet for most people to get away from their problems. But not always.
The Agence France Presse cited a recent Synovate poll research that 30 percent of wealthy Filipinos’ first choice is the locally brewed beer. Among the most popular of the local beverages are those being produced by the San Miguel Corporation and that of Asia Brewery, Inc.
The market research firm said that affluent Filipinos consumed 37 percent alcohol more than in other Asian countries. Thailand trails the Philippines with 34 percent alcohol consumption; Singapore, 32 percent; Malaysia, 28 percent; and Indonesia, with eight percent.
What is contradicting, however, is that the poll did not include among others the consumption level of the middle class, who were found to be more gallant and extravagant when it comes to party celebrations. Observations noted that they would even go beyond borrowing money just to spruce up the parties with alcohol to enliven the courage to talk about various social and political issues that currently grace the headlines of most leading newspapers in Metro Manila.
But the changing time and the present economic woes are taking a heavy toll on the pockets of ordinary Juan dela Cruzes, wherein the prices of commodity goods have impacted on the purchasing power of the peso, while the income of most Filipinos remain unchanged until today. Thanked God that the peso appreciated a bit against the greenback. But to the total dismay of OFWs who now complain against the sagging value of their dollar remittances to their families. Economists, howeve, put the blame on the onset of the yuletide season wherein millions of OFWs have to send money to their loved ones back home. This is inevitable.
Instead of buying beer, which is more expensive, consumers would rather prefer to spend their extra money on food for the family’s consumption. Others who can’t just keep away the habit have to squeeze their pockets and eventually settle for a much cheaper concoction like the locally produced dry gin of Tanduay Distillery. The only drawback of this stuff is that drinkers are exposed to lung diseases and ulcers, if excessive amount of alcohol is taken for granted. Still, many ordinary Filipinos prefer to drink the dry gin because, aside from being much stronger in alcohol content, it is easier for the ordinary pockets to bear.
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