Past, Future, and Pale Pilsen

By Isabella Cuartero

For 135 years, San Miguel Pale Pilsen has been more than just a beverage—it has been a witness to Filipino celebrations, friendships, and milestones.

This year, the country’s iconic brew partners with renowned visual artist Francis Nacion to bring heritage and culture to life in a collectible can design.

“One-hundred thirty-five years stands as a symbol of resilience and friendship,” said San Miguel Brewery president Carlos Antonio Berba.

San Miguel’s journey beyond Philippine shores began as early as 1914, when its beers first reached Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Guam. By the mid-20th century, it already had breweries in Spain and across Asia—well before many of today’s world-famous beers—making its legacy a lasting source of Filipino pride.

As Nacion marks his 16th year in the art scene, he makes a toast to this milestone through a collaboration with San Miguel Pale Pilsen’s “Balik Tanaw” limited-edition can.

Known for works that weave together the past and future, he is the ideal artist for this collaboration. Through his masterpiece, Francis Nacion unites the nation, celebrating the shared love of beer that bridges Filipino families.

With his creative vision, the “Balik Tanaw” design captures the nostalgia of olden days while highlighting San Miguel’s timeless role in Filipino culture. When asked about his inspiration for the piece, he summed it up in one word: “Pamilya. Pamilya po talaga.”

Through Nacion’s creation, San Miguel’s legacy is not only preserved but also celebrated in a way that bridges generations—reminding Filipinos everywhere that every sip carries with it a story, a memory, and a piece of home.

Bring home the San Miguel Pale Pilsen limited-edition Balik Tanaw can—perfect for collecting, enjoying, or sharing. Available at select supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores, or order through SMB Delivers at 8632-BEER (2337) and www.SMBDelivers.com. 

San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) is the largest producer of beer in the Philippines, with nine out of ten beer drinkers preferring its brands. San Miguel Beer was first produced by La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel, an upstart brewery in the heart of Manila that began its operations in 1890. It received the Royal Grant from the Spanish king to brew beer in the Philippines, then a colony of Spain. In 1963, the brewery was renamed San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to reflect its growing ventures into food and packaging. 

From a single product produced in a single brewery in 1890, SMB has developed an array of popular beer products over the past century, catering to the distinct tastes and preferences of beer drinkers across all segments and markets in the Philippines. Today, it carries a portfolio of ten strong and popular beer brands: San Mig Light, Red Horse Beer, Cerveza Negra, Gold Eagle Beer, San Miguel Strong Ice, San Miguel Super Dry, San Miguel Premium All-Malt Beer, San Miguel Flavored Beer, San Mig Zero, and its flagship brand, San Miguel Pale Pilsen.