Cigars have been a part of the colorful tapestry of the Philippines for centuries. It is possible, even probable, that tobacco use was first introduced to the Philippines by Magellan. Tobacco was first planted in 1592 when the Spanish galleon San Clemente delivered 50kg of the finest Cuban tobacco seed which was distributed to Spanish missionaries for cultivation, sowing the seeds of the domestic cigar industry.
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By the early 17th century, as tobacco was being introduced to China by Ming dynasty Chinese traders from Fujian who crossed regularly to Luzon Island, Philippine cigars were already gaining a fine reputation in the smoking salons of the western world.
There was no formal commercial tobacco cultivation until 1781, when governor general Jose Basco y Vargas decreed that the Government should have control of the production, manufacture, and sale of tobacco, forming a tobacco monopoly that exerted a rigid influence for 100 years.
In fact, tobacco became the principal income earner for the colonial government, which was required to pay the government of Mexico. While Philippine tobacco's global reputation as a quality crop was cemented the monopoly itself was riddled with corruption and graft, and tobacco workers were regimented to the point of mutiny. In 1883 the Compa?a General de Tabacos de Filipinas (CGTF) was organized with a capital of 2.5 million duros (Spanish gold dollars). To put this amount in perspective, in 1866-67 the colonial government treasury earned 8,418,939 duros from tobacco. CGTF built a large cigar and cigarette factory, named La Flor de la Isabela, a reference to the location on Luzon Island that had been identified as producing the best tobacco in the islands, and, "by virtue of circumstances was enabled to purchase the greater part of the first crop of tobacco grown without government supervision, virtually stepping into the position formerly occupied the Government monopoly. This company acquired huge tracts of tobacco lands and populated these lands by acting as immigration agents," as H.O. Jacobsen, chief of the Agronomy Division, Bureau of Agriculture, so eloquently expresses it in a report he prepared for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.
[b]Dominant force[/b]
CGTF remained the dominant force in Philippine tobacco for over 100 years, at one time paying over 30% of the total tax revenues earned by the Philippine government. It also cemented the excellent reputation of Philippine cigars among connoisseurs worldwide. But it was not without competitors, a few of which, such as Alhambra, a Swiss-backed operation founded in Manila's port area in 1898, are still doing business today. By the 1970's however, the Philippine operations of Tabacalera, as CGTF's domestic trading arm was by now more commonly known, were much diminished. Cigarettes had long-since replaced cigars as the most common form of tobacco consumption, and the heyday of Philippine cigars was past.
But while overall volumes may be down, the Philippine cigar is by no means a historical footnote.
Aficionados all over the world, and a great many domestic smokers, still greatly respect and admire a fine Philippine cigar, which is generally a milder and more aromatic smoke than a Cuban or a Dominican. The demand is most definitely still these, and Philippine cigar exports remain buoyant, in part because of the centuries-long reputation they have earned but thanks to some energetic marketing initiatives and contemporary product development by entrepreneurial cigar manufacturers.
[b]"It starts with good seeds?-"[/b]
One such company that has initiated a successful strategy of brand development and export-oriented quality control is Tabaqueria de Filipinas, which was established in 1993 by Gabriel Ripoll, Jr.
Tabaqueria was a five-roller operation housed on the first level and garage of a lovely pre-war Manila home. Today, the company's new factory in San Pedro, Laguna, provides jobs to more than 200 employees. Sons Gabriel, Tirso and Roman have also joined the company to ensure that, despite the fastgrowing operations, the Ripoll standards of personalized service and high quality products are always met. Tabaqueria de Filipinas, Inc is now one of the leading exporters of premium and short filler cigars in the Philippines.
"We have 65 farmers contracted to plant tobacco on over 75 hectares of prime farmland in La Union province," said Roman Rippoll, sales and marketing director. "This is divided into 50% filler and 50% wrapper and binder tobacco.
After harvesting a curing, the tobacco is shipped to the company's factory in San Pedro, Laguna, just south of Manila. The cigars are hand-rolled by expert rollers, carefully matured in an ageing room before being banded and packaged in beautiful handcrafted boxes and humidors that can be customized for individual orders.
[b]Old and new[/b]
Tabaqueria makes traditional cigars such as Independencia 1898, which was launched in 1998 to commemorate 100 years of Philippine independence.
The combination of Isabela pais filler, Isabela binder and Java wrapper gives this popular cigar its smooth, fullbodied, robust flavor. Flor de Filipinas is Tabaqueria's original house blend. The marriage of Java wrapper, a Sarah binder plus Isabela and Sarah filler gives this cigar a smooth, robust flavor. A newly introduced variant, Flor de Filipinas Reserva uses tobaccos that are personally chosen and separated by Tanaquria's master blender from every new bale. The mix of Java wrapper, Java and Philippine binder and filler makes a smooth, rich tasting cigar.
Antonio Gimenez is a feisty blend of Isabela pais and Cuban seed filler, Isabela binder and Java wrapper with a bold, robust flavor with just enough spice to make it a truly exciting smoke.
Tabaqueria has also developed a range of flavored and regular cigars and cigarillos and small cigars, classic Flor de Filipinas cigars infused with deep, rich flavors such as: chocolate, honey, cherry, rum, and vanilla. The basic flavored cigar size is the Slim Panetela, but thyey also come in Panetela size. The most recent variant is the flavored Wood Tip Slim Panetela. Novelty cigars, such as celebratory cigars packaged in blue or pink boxes emblazoned with 'It's a Boy!' or 'It's a Girl' cigar rings round out the tobacco products portfolio Domestically, the company represents All Agio and Panter products, Half & Half pipe tobacco, US Tobacco, Hav-A-Tampa, Swedish Match, Arnold Andre and Villiger of Switzerland. These products, together with a range of smoking accessories and T-shirts decorated with Tabaqueria's classic Independencia 1898 and Antonio Gimenez cigar labels, are available at Tabaqueria's boutique outlets.
Tabaqueria cigars are exported to many countries in Europe, the US and in Asia, including China. The company espouses a simple philosophy.
"It starts with good seeds," according to Ripoll. "From the plantations to our customers' hands - our commitment is to ensure the quality crafting of a fine cigar every step of the way."
The growing number of satisfied Tabaqueria cigar smokers around the world is confirmation that this philosophy captures the essence of four centuries of cigar-making excellence. Enditem
