Actors JC Santos and Zainjian Jaranilla fondly remembered their youthful days when they first experienced the intoxicating thrill of alcohol.

Laughter filled their voices as they shared memories of sips from forbidden bottles, the rich and bold flavors igniting a rush of excitement and the warm flutter of rebellion.

Each sip was a rite of passage, an adventurous secret filled with the intoxicating scent of freedom and the thrilling promise of adulthood.

"Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan at ano ang mga nangyari noon pero natatandaan ko yung una kong ininon. M.P. (I don't recall when and what happened back then, but I remember what I drank for the first time. It was M.P.)," said Zaijian during an interview at the press conference of the upcoming movie "The Last BeerGin" held in Quezon City recently.

Zaijian added, "Kasama ko naman yung parents ko noong uminom ako. May guidance sila noon na huwag akong masyado iinom. Pero ngayon hindi na ako masyado umiinom. (My parents were with me when I drank. They had guidance back then that I shouldn't drink too much. However, I no longer drink a lot.)"

The 24-year-old actor mentioned that he rarely drinks now because he dislikes the feeling of a hangover.

"It's a choice na hindi na ako masyado umiinom dahil ayoko ng feeling na pagkagising mo sa umaga yung pakiramdam ng hangover. Ang sakit sa ulo at hindi ka makabangon. Parang wala kang kwenta kinabukasan. Pero hindi pa rin matatawaran talaga yung first experience mo na malasing ka noong gabi na yun. Pati yung enjoyment. Pero tumigil na rin talaga ako sa pag-inom. (I don't like the feeling of having a hangover when you wake up in the morning. The headache and the inability to get out of bed. It's like that. But you can't really forget the experience of being drunk. There's also a lot of enjoyment. But I stopped drinking.)"

"Kung pwedeng iwasan iniiwasan ko na rin uminom kahit social drinking. Ayoko talagang umabot na sa sitwasyon na may hangover. (If I can avoid it, I avoid drinking, even social drinking. I really don't want to end up in a situation where I have a hangover)," he said.

Asked if ever engaged in a bar fight, Zaijian said, "Wala pa namang ganun. Pagnakikita nila ako sa bar, sasabihin nila, 'Uy Santino, umiinom ka na pala. Yun ang lagi kong naririnig sa kanila. (There's nothing like that. When they see me at the bar, they'll say, 'Hey Santino, you've been drinking.' That's what I always hear from them.)"

Zaijian rose to fame following his portrayal of the orphan Santino in the Christian drama "May Bukas Pa" on ABS-CBN.

On the other hand, JC remembered he was introduced to alcohol at an early age. "Nasa Pampanga ako noon, and I was introduced to alcohol at an early age. Thirteen na yata ako noon. (I was in Pampanga at the time, and I was introduced to alcohol at an early age. I was probably thirteen at the time.)"

The 36-year-old actor said he still drinks occasionally these days. "Social drinking lang ako. Ako ang type ng gustong kasama ng mga kaibigan na kainuman. (I'm just a social drinker. I'm the type of person who likes to have drinks with friends.)"

JC prefers clear drinks such as vodka and gin. "Basta walang kulay. Anything clear and without sugar. Kasi for me, kapag may sugar, may utang yun eh. (As long as it's colorless. Anything clear and without sugar. Because for me, if there's sugar, it has an adverse effect." The last time he drank was a gin tonic at an event.

Opening in cinemas nationwide this Oct. 1, "The Last BeerGin" is the latest round from Cineko Productions and Obra Cinema Productions, the acclaimed studios behind "Family Matters" and "Family of Two."

Directed by Nuel Naval and written by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario, *The Last BeerGin* is a raw and resonant dramedy that captures the essence of Filipino culture. It invites audiences to pull up a chair, raise a glass, and reflect on a thought-provoking question: How much truth can you really handle in one sitting?

The film follows five strangers, each dealing with their own emotional struggles, who unexpectedly connect during a chance encounter. As they share a drink, they begin to reveal something even more profound: their truths, their stories, and their pain. Between the drinks, they discover something more meaningful—a chance to be seen, heard, and perhaps, at last, to feel valued.

This isn't a film about alcohol; it's about what comes to the surface when we finally let our guard down. "The Last BeerGin" is a celebration of vulnerability and a prompt for emotional honesty. It serves as a reminder that some of the most healing conversations occur over the simplest snacks and in the most unexpected company.