The worlds of art, music, and drinks intersected on La Fuerza Compound on the evening March 1, 2018 as Vinyl on Vinyl, J Studio, Archivo 1984, Finale Art File, and Nova Gallery in partnership with DrinkManila.com presented the La Fuerza Party, which coincided with Art Fair Philippines, the biggest art fair in the country. The night was electric and full of great energy, as people from all walks of life converged on the art compound were treated to a party most haven’t experienced in a long time (if at all). Guests coming from the Art Fair at The Link were transported to the La Fuerza Party in comfortable Atoy Customs shuttles that made sure the air of excitement was kept high between venues.
It was a party where old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years found each other in the crowd and new friends were made while waiting in line for drinks and listening to the performances. Serious collectors and art enthusiasts alike made their way through each of the participating galleries and marveled at the curated pieces that were put up for display and for sale. Musical acts of different genres wowed the crowd and kept the energy alive. And of course, the mouthwatering and overflowing libations that were offered for free made sure everyone’s thirst was quenched. Some people who have been partying for a while now were reminded of the good old days of Malate street parties, where people drank and danced surrounded by art and music.
Art was centerstage that night, the five galleries opened 13 new exhibits: Finale Art File featured exhibits by Annie Cabigting, Jayson Oliveria, and Justian Jafin (solo). Vinyl on Vinyl presented Mizuma Gallery x VOV, Amano Yoshitaka, Agung Prabowo, Eguchi Ayane, Agan Harahap, Arkiv Vilmansa, Clarence Chun, Luis Lorenzana, Dennis Bato, Annie Pacaña Lumbao, Don Dalmacio, Randy Constantino, Rene Bituin, Rolf Campos, and Rose Delfin, Jhalanie Maturan. J Studio exhibited the works of Rai Cruz, Robert Besana, and a group show by Kalye Kollektib. Nova Gallery showcased Sleight of Hand group show, Miggy Borja, Marius Dideles, Julius Dimanlig, Dave Lock, Venus Mar, Expi Perez and a two-man show by Aldy Aguirre and Yas Doctor. Archivo 1984 showcased a solo exhibit by Manuel Ocampo while DJ Cocoy Puyat spun tunes for the art crowd. Live performances by Identikit, Run Dorothy, Pastillan Dong!, Romeo Lee, She’s Coming Home, The Male Gaze, Paniki, and The XXGirls entertained the enthusiastic crowd throughout the night.
Six bars serving a variety of libations were there to service the thirsty crowd and keep the party going. The five galleries that organized the event each have their own unique identities, and all take pride and care in curating the art that they exhibit. DrinkManila.com takes the same pride and care in crafting cocktails, and we created a signature drink for each of the galleries to highlight their personalities.
DrinkManila’s pop-up bar served up cocktails inspired by the five galleries:
Signature Spin inspired by Vinyl on Vinyl (Very Old Captain Rum, Tropical Punch Kool-Aid, watermelon juice and syrup, DaVinci Gourmet Lime Syrup, DaVinci Gourmet Menta Cubano, simple syrup, orgeat syrup, fresh mint, garnished with a fruit kebab),
Akashi Archivo inspired by Archivo 1984 (Akashi Red Blended Japanese Whisky, peach liqueur, ginger ale, green tea, garnished with fresh ginger and lemon peel)
J’adore inspired by J Studio (Akashi White Oak Blended Japanese Whisky, apricot bitters, simple syrup, garnished with orange peel)
Doña Mamas inspired by Finale Art File (Don Papa Rum, chocolate bitters, Giffard Chocolate Cookie Syrup, Angostura bitters, garnished with lemon cookie)
Super Nova inspired by Nova Gallery (Manille Liqueur Calamansi, calamansi concentrate with honey, sparkling water, soda water, Angostura bitters, garnished with fresh calamansi wheels)
Old favorites Bananarama (Don Papa Rum, banana-lime syrup, unsweetened pineapple juice, lemon juice, Giffard Banana Syrup) and 6 Shades of Pink (Absolut Vodka, lemon syrup, DaVinci Gourmet Raspberry Rhapsody Syrup Reduction, with the glass rimmed with crushed Nerds candy) rounded out DrinkManila’s extensive cocktail offerings. Whiskies Akashi Blue Japanese Whisky, Chivas Regal Blended Whisky, and Jameson Irish Whiskey were served neat or on the rocks.
Ginebra Gin Cart offered three cocktails that showcased Ginebra Premium Gin: Gin 7 (GSM Premium Gin, lime soda, lemon wedge), a twist on the classic gin-pom Rose Pom (GSM Premium Gin, pomelo juice, rose syrup, garnished with dehydrated pomelo slices), and a hybrid of Jell-o shots and gin and tonic Green with Envy (GSM Premium Gin, fresh lime, lime syrup, lime gelatin, lime soda).
Heineken showed its support for the arts by providing revelers with ice-cold crisp Heineken beers to those who were in need of a break from cocktails.
Zabana Rum’s bar featured Proudly Promdi barternder Ken Alonso, who made three cocktails that highlight the newest premium rum line paired with local ingredients: Makata (Zabana 8, pineapple juice, coconut milk, calamansi juice, black pepper), Palamig (Zabana XO, soda, honey, calamansi juice,angostura), and Promdi Sour (Zabana White, dalandan juice, Tapuey wine, mint leaves)
The wine lovers weren’t left out. There was also a wine dispenser pouring Carlo Rossi Moscato, Red Moscato, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Apotheke Craft Spirits Bar brought in 28 Hongkong Street bartender Yoma Rivera to serve up two cocktails for the event: Better Spritz (Mancino Vermouth Ambrato Bianco), and Take a Walk on the Hine Side (H by Hine VSOP Cognac, Fentimans Ginger Ale, Scrappy’s Aromatic Bitters)
Monkey Shoulder’s Cart was manned by ABV’s Lester Ligon, who dished out Ginger Monkey and Old Fashioned Monkey.
It was a night filled with awesome art, great music, friends old and new, and mouthwatering drinks. People are already asking when the next one will be.
This event was brought to you by Ginebra Premium Gin, Heineken Beer, Zabana Rum, Apotheke Craft Spirits, Wine Depot, Monkey Shoulder, Akashi Blended Japanese Whisky, and Destileria Limtuaco. Special thanks to Don Papa Rum, Carlo Rossi, Giffard Syrup, Absolute Vodka, Malibu, Chivas Regal, Jameson Whisky, DaVinci Gourmet Syrup, and Breville Philippines.
