The award-winning premium tequila brand made its Philippine debut with a sunset launch at Solaire, introducing Manila to its 100% Blue Weber agave spirits and “100 or Nothing” philosophy.
As the sun dipped behind the Manila skyline early this May, Loca Loka officially made its Philippine debut with a vibrant sunset soirée at Solaire Pool Bar & Grill. Bringing together media personalities, tastemakers, and industry insiders, the launch featured neat pours, signature cocktails, music, tarot readings, cantarito (Mexican clay jar) painting, and other playful experiences that introduced guests to the award-winning tequila brand’s “100 or Nothing” philosophy.
Crafted in the highlands of Jalisco using 100% Blue Weber agave, Loca Loka is produced under the guidance of third-generation Master Distiller Willy Bañuelos Ramírez. Its Blanco and Reposado expressions have already earned recognition from major international competitions, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York International Spirits Competition.
The brand lies in the intersection of multiple worlds. “Loca,” the Spanish word for “crazy,” meets “Loka,” the Sanskrit word for “world,” reflecting a cross-cultural identity of Mexican craftsmanship and Indian creative energy. Produced in small batches using agave grown in Jalisco’s unique volcanic soil, each bottle emphasizes purity, traditional tequila-making, and the natural complexity of the agave itself.
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A Tequila That Gives It’s All
The day began with a media lunch and masterclass led by Willy Bañuelos Ramírez, who serves as Third-Generation Master Distiller & Head of Production at Hacienda de Bañuelos. He guided guests through a four-course tequila pairing alongside an exclusive first taste of the brand’s upcoming Añejo expression. Through neat pours of the Blanco, Reposado, and launch-exclusive Añejo, attendees were introduced to the philosophy behind the brand’s additive-free and small-batch approach, as well as its “100 or Nothing” campaign.
The “100 or Nothing” campaign serves as a bold articulation of Loca Loka’s uncompromising approach to quality, where every bottle reflects a commitment to getting things absolutely right, or not doing them at all. Rooted in precision, authenticity, and craftsmanship, it showcases the brand’s refusal to dilute its standards in pursuit of scale.
“Authentic tequila begins in the field, not the boardroom. At Loca Loka, we respect the agave’s natural complexity and refuse to take shortcuts—no additives, no artificial color, and no glycerin for mouthfeel,” Willy shared during the launch. “Every bottle reflects generations of craftsmanship, and tequila, made the way it was always meant to be: pure, honest, and expressive of highland Jalisco.”
As evening trickled in, the atmosphere began to change, turning into a vivacious celebration. Signature cocktails flowed freely while DJs soundtracked the night, guests painting cantaritos and receiving tarot readings paired with surprise serves. It’s here where Manila tastemakers experienced an immersive introduction to the world Loca Loka wants to build: one that’s vibrant, social, and as focused on culture as it is on craftsmanship.
Meet The Loca Loka Spirits
Loca Loka Blanco (which retails locally for ₱3,300) captures the pure expression of highland agave from Jalisco’s Los Altos region. Crystal-clear, the tequila opens with aromas of cooked agave before offering fruity citrus and pear notes balanced by earthy, herbal touches of lemongrass, mint, and white pepper. With its silky mouthfeel and smooth finish, it’s versatile enough to be sipped neat and mixed into an assortment of cocktails.
Meanwhile, Loca Loka Reposado (which retails locally for ₱3,700) takes the same 100% Blue Weber agave base and ages it in French and American oak barrels for four to six months. What comes out of this process is a pale golden tequila layered with notes of roasted agave, honey, vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, toasted oak, and warm spice. Velvety and medium-bodied, the Reposado balances sweetness and oak without overwhelming the agave at its core.
The Philippine launch in Manila marks another step in Loca Loka’s growing international expansion as the local market continues embracing premium spirits and elevated cocktail culture.
“This isn’t just tequila; it’s a cultural dialogue between two vibrant worlds. The Philippines understands storytelling, celebration, and craftsmanship and Loca Loka speaks that language fluently,” shared co-founder Rana Daggubati in a statement.
“Our vertically integrated approach from sustainable agave sourcing to disciplined distribution, along with our commitment of ‘100 or nothing,’ positions us to deliver exceptional value in one of APAC’s most exciting spirits landscapes,” added co-founder and CEO Sree Harsha Vadlamudi.
“The energy here is electric. Loca Loka’s artisanal blend captures the spontaneity and confidence of modern culture and that’s exactly what Filipino nightlife embodies,” expressed co-founder Anirudh Ravichander.
See snapshots of the full launch soiree experience from sunset to evening below.
Loca Loka is currently available in select premium on-trade venues and retail partners nationwide.
Photos courtesy of Loca Loka
Frequently Asked Questions
Loca Loka is an award-winning premium tequila brand crafted in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico using 100% Blue Weber agave. The brand officially launched in the Philippines with a sunset soirée at Solaire Pool Bar & Grill, introducing Manila to its “100 or Nothing” philosophy centered on additive-free tequila, small-batch production, and traditional craftsmanship. The launch featured tequila tastings, cocktails, music, tarot readings, and immersive cultural experiences.
Loca Loka Blanco is a crystal-clear tequila with notes of cooked agave, citrus, pear, lemongrass, mint, and white pepper, offering a silky mouthfeel and smooth finish ideal for sipping or cocktails. Meanwhile, Loca Loka Reposado is aged in French and American oak barrels for four to six months, resulting in richer flavors of honey, vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, dried fruit, and warm spice while still preserving the agave’s natural character.
Loca Loka Tequila is currently available at select premium on-trade venues and retail partners nationwide in the Philippines. The brand’s Blanco expression retails locally for ₱3,300, while the Reposado expression retails for ₱3,700.
The award-winning premium tequila brand officially launched in the Philippines early this May 2026. The milestone debut was celebrated with an immersive, vibrant sunset soirée hosted at the Solaire Pool Bar & Grill in Parañaque, Metro Manila.
The brand’s name marks a cross-cultural dialogue between two distinct worlds. The word “Loca” comes from the Spanish term for “crazy,” honoring its authentic Mexican craftsmanship, while “Loka” is derived from the Sanskrit word for “world,” reflecting the Indian creative energy of its co-founders.
