Every year, the world’s best-selling gin selects a Calendar Girl who embodies the spirit of the brand. For 2024, Heaven Peralejo is unveiled as Ginebra San Miguel’s Calendar Girl during a festive media launch at The Westin Manila, Mandaluyong City.
Best known for her acting in the movie ‘Nananahimik ang Gabi,’ which awarded her the Philippines Best Actress award from the Asian Academy Creative Awards, as well as starring in the youth series ‘The Rain in España,’ Heaven shared that it is a dream come true for her to endorse an iconic brand, Ginebra San Miguel.
“It’s such a beautiful milestone of my life to be part of Ginebra. When I was 18 years old, gin bilog with pineapple juice was my first drink. It’s a dream come true, my first drink is also my first big endorsement,” she said.
With the theme “Philippine Fiesta,” the 2024 edition of the Ginebra San Miguel Calendar showcases Heaven in six vibrant fiesta layouts (Panagbenga, Lantern, Higantes, Pintados, Kadayawan, and Masskara), embodying the vibrant spirit of Philippine Fiestas.
GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina said that the 2024 Ginebra calendar serves as a symbolic expression of optimism, unity, and the resounding belief that brighter days are ahead. “Looking forward to 2024, we, at Ginebra, envision a year where the echoes of the pandemic are a distant memory. And the best way to move forward is to embrace a future filled with all-out celebrations, reminiscent of the joyous fiestas that define our culture,” he said.
GSMI Group Product Manager Paolo Jose Tupaz described Heaven as a captivating and talented actress who perfectly captures the Ginebra San Miguel attributes and the essence of the Philippine Fiesta. “Heaven’s authenticity, perseverance, courage, and zest in life embodies the spirit of Ginebra and reflects the beauty, grace, and dynamism of the Filipino culture,” he added.
HEAVEN IN THE VIBRANT WORLD OF FIESTA
Next year’s calendar showcases the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture, with stunning visuals inspired by the colorful and festive celebrations that take place across the archipelago. Heaven described Ginebra as a staple in every Filipino’s drinking occasion, particularly during fiestas. “Hindi magiging buo ang celebration ng mga Pinoy kung walang Ginebra,” says Heaven [The celebration of Filipinos won’t be complete without Ginebra].
As the next face of Ginebra San Miguel, she shared that the Heaven the public would see in the layouts would show her positive perspective on life— on being resilient and outgoing and on enjoying and loving life.
Heaven’s personality shined through the six festive layouts, bringing to life the colors, flavors, and traditions that make these events truly unique.
Heavenly Blossoms in Panagbenga
The first is “Panagbenga,” set in Baguio’s renowned flower-themed festival. Heaven is surrounded by vibrant floral displays in this set, showing joy and beauty.
Like how Ginebra San Miguel is a brand associated with joy for bringing people together to celebrate joyous and special moments, Heaven’s infectious smile, bubbly personality, and cheerful spirit also bring joy to those around her.
Heaven holds a special affinity for this particular layout, considering her personal passion for flower arranging, making it a cherished and resonant experience for her.
Heavenly Lights in Lantern Festival
Emerging as one of the brightest stars of the new generation, Heaven sparkles in the next layout against a backdrop of vibrant giant lanterns and a myriad of dancing lights. The featured setting is the Giant Lantern Festival, also known as Ligligan Parul in San Fernando, Pampanga, a spectacle that symbolizes not only the brilliance of light but also the profound sense of hope it brings.
Just as Ginebra has inspired Filipinos to light their lives with choices that reflect their truest and most vibrant selves, Heaven sparkles hope for her family and followers. She constantly reminds others that even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of hope.
Heavenly Heights in Higantes
In the third layout, Heaven takes center stage amidst the larger-than-life papier-mâché puppets of the Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal. Much like these symbolic giants that represent the aspirations of the people of Rizal to achieve greatness and make significant contributions to their hometown’s progress, Heaven, too, aspires to excel in her role as an actress and performer, contributing to the enrichment of the arts.
Heaven is truly ‘ganado sa buhay’ as she managed to graduate with a degree in Business Management from the Southville International School while working her way up to become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry today.
Heaven in Higantes Festival layout aligns seamlessly with Ginebra’s commitment to upholding traditions of excellence, emphasizing the shared pursuit of greatness and the celebration of achievements within the tapestry of cultural festivities.
Heavenly Design in Pintados
The fourth layout draws inspiration from the Pintados Festival in Leyte, where Heaven is showcased alongside intricate body paintings. Pintados, a festival steeped in historical significance, pays homage to the pre-Spanish tradition of warrior tattooing, where the bravest warriors showcased their valor through intricate ink designs.
Parallel to the festival’s celebration of bravery, Ginebra San Miguel is a brand that reflects the bravery and compassion of every Filipino. Every glass of Ginebra recognizes the hero of every Filipino, one who continues to strive for his dreams, his family, and the whole nation. Likewise, Heaven’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity make her an inspiration to many, fueled by a deep sense of malasakit for herself, her family, and the nation she holds dear.
Heavenly Blessings in Kadayawan
The fifth layout is Kadayawan festival in Davao City, a celebration of life and thanksgiving for nature’s bounty. Here, Heaven is portrayed with the abundance of fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest, and the serenity of living.
Ginebra believes that the key to conquering tomorrow’s challenges lies in taking a moment to appreciate today’s accomplishments. After a tiring day during shoots and film, there’s no better way for Heaven to unwind and recharge than by having a Ginebra drink, taking a moment to be grateful for the things in life as she readies herself for the next challenge.
Heavenly Smiles in Masskara:
The sixth and final layout is the Masskara festival in Bacolod where Heaven is seen together with big, vibrant masks and eye-catching outfits. Originally, the festival was born out of crisis in the 1980s to lift the spirit of the locals and bring back smiles on their faces.
Masskara perfectly captures the “never-say-die” attitude of Ginebra, which Heaven also mirrors in life. Throughout the challenging journey of her mom’s battle with cancer, Heaven has exemplified unwavering strength, resilience, and dedication to support, uplift, and bring smiles to her mom. She shared that, “My love for her would always be there and would always remind me to never give up and to persevere on what I love.”
The much-anticipated 2024 GSM calendar serves as a celebration of Filipino pride and heritage. Beyond its artistic showcase, the calendar holds a dual significance as Ginebra San Miguel commemorates its 190th anniversary. This milestone marks nearly two centuries of crafting iconic moments and flavors that have become an integral part of Filipino festivities.
This edition of the Ginebra San Miguel calendar also features a QR code that consumers can scan using their smartphones to see Heaven Peralejo’s calendars come to life, showing behind-the-scenes videos of her calendar girl photoshoots and a special message to her fans and followers.
