A Toast and A Smile

Cheers! A celebration is about to unfold! Let’s have a toast and a smile!

We are a unique people. We stand out from the rest of the world. Hmmmm! But don’t think of our being one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Or our being great imitators. Or our undying patronage to international brands that this speech is all about. The uniqueness that sets us apart from the rest of the world is the way we value celebrations that involves the family. Take for example, town fiesta, birthday, death anniversary, wedding anniversary, Christmas, New Year and the list could go on. These are “tatak Pinoy”. These are marks of being Filipinos.

Filipino celebration means extravagance! All kinds and all sorts! The best home decors, the best kitchen utensils, the best food, and the best Beer – the San Miguel Beer. It will not be complete without it! It makes conversations longer, spontaneous, and natural. Remember the saying that “Drunken words are spoken by sober hearts”.

What exactly is beer? Beer is an alcoholic beverage with a distinct bitterness, aroma, and foam. Its main ingredients are malt from the barley plant, hops which provides the bitter taste, and water. An average beer contains zero cholesterol, zero fat, 13 g of carbohydrate, 25 mg of sodium, protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B2 and B6, and alcohol.

Did you know that it is now a proven fact that beer can provide the same health benefits as wine? Studies show that drinking beer in moderation can and will reduce your chances of stroke, as well as heart and vascular disease.

Proof # 1. In November of 1999, the New England Journal of Medicine stated that light to moderate beer drinkers would decrease their chances of suffering a stroke by 20%.

Proof # 2. In May 1999, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas reported that consuming moderate amounts of beer would lower one’s chances of coronary heart disease by 30-40%, compared to those who don’t drink at all. This is because of the fact that beer contains a similar amount of antioxidants as red wine and 4-5 times as many as white wine.

Proof # 3. Alcohol has been attributed to increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the bloodstream, as well as helping decrease blood clots.

Proof # 4. Beer provides a 30% increase in vitamin B6 into the blood plasma – something that neither wine nor any other liquor can do. Vitamin B6 prevents heart disease.

Proof # 5. Beer is both fat-free and cholesterol free, something that suits really for the health and diet conscious!

The only problem nowadays is the fact the people seems to abuse everything. They drink more than they should, and sobriety becomes a discarded word. The dictum “too much of something is bad enough” still works. Being responsible is always the key to having fun with friends and enjoying a nice cold glass of San Miguel beer.

Let’s have a toast and a smile. A toast for a celebration of life-long family ties that makes us unique and a smile for a healthier you. Cheers!