Photo courtesy of Sulà
For multi-awarded liquor brand Sulà, the best way to drink the “Filipino way” is on the rocks, in good company, and through conversations.
Vernon Carandang didn’t always think about what was in his glass. “Remember when you drank tequila? Or the herbal liqueur bombs that took us a while to get fond of?” he says with a laugh during a video interview with Vogue Philippines. There was a time when he associated drinking with loud nights and next-day hangovers. That changed when he co-founded Sulà.
Alongside Mark Rivera and Ceazar Certeza, Carandang launched the Filipino liquor brand to introduce a slower, more meaningful approach to drinking. Their philosophy hasn’t changed since they first launched: drink intentionally, drink to connect, and drink to remember.
In Bicolano, nakakasula means “to shine.” In Tagalog, sula also means “jewel” or “gem.” These words became their mission to create a liquor brand that paid homage to their heritage. “We’re not really just selling the liquor,” says Carandang. “It’s really about the experience. Sulà exists to share the culture, stories, and flavors of the Philippines to the world. We believe that our heritage isn’t just something to be remembered. It should be felt, tasted, and celebrated.”
When they launched in September 2023 in Venice, Italy, the Filipino liquor brand introduced its trio of flavors sourced from different regions in the Philippines: creamy and naturally sweet coconuts from San Pablo, Laguna; full-bodied coffee flavors from Benguet, Quezon, Batangas, and Cavite; and a velvety profile with a hint of bitters from Davao‘s cacao nibs.
Within a year, Sulà’s efforts were recognized across international award circuits. At the 2024 SIP Awards, the spirits brand won Best of Class – Platinum, while the Coconut and Coffee liqueurs received Platinum and Innovation Awards, respectively. Their Chocolate and Coffee variants also earned top distinctions at the World Liqueur Awards, including Country Winner, Gold, and Bronze in the Taste Category. Meanwhile, Sulà Coconut received a Bronze at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
While awards recognized the product’s quality, how it’s meant to be consumed tells the story about their philosophy. In the beginning, Carandang, Rivera, and Certeza concentrated on creating a unique menu of cocktails such as Sky & Sand, Spicy Emotion, and Melon Colada. But as they engaged with clients and event guests, a consistent preference emerged: the trio was best enjoyed on the rocks.
Even to an outside observer, this approach highlights the distinct flavors of its regional produce and reflects the brand’s intention to showcase the Philippines as it is. “It’s about appreciating the drink,” says Carandang on how the Sulà aims to change the way we drink: not to escape, but to reflect, with friends, good advice, and better flavor. For them, it’s about comfort, connection, and clarity in moderation.
The jewel motif also extends to their unique bottles called Pearl of the Orient. The tall glass comes in white, teal, and brown, each topped with a pearl-inspired wooden stopper, wave-like etching, and an etched map of the Philippines. The Coconut variant’s bottle design took home two Silvers and a Bronze in the Design Category at the World Liqueur Awards and received the Red Award for Image Making at the 2024 Good Design Awards.
Carandang says the bottle is meant to be displayed, spark conversation, and be repurposed into a lamp. “When you see the bottle, I wanted it to speak like the Philippines,” he shares. “For us, this is the love letter of the Philippines to the world.”
For more information, visit Sulà’s official website.
