Inside Tanduay’s innovation engine led by veteran woman exec

Insider Spotlight

• Myrna Delos Reyes rises from lab analyst to SVP role
• Women drive quality, innovation in premiumization strategy
• Veteran leader reflects on 36-year career at Tanduay
  
  
  

Tanduay is spotlighting the role of women in shaping its innovation engine, anchored by senior vice president for quality and technical operations Myrna Delos Reyes, whose decades-long career mirrors the company’s push toward premiumization and global relevance.

Delos Reyes, who started as a laboratory analyst, now leads the division responsible for maintaining product quality and advancing scientific excellence within one of the Philippines’ most recognized rum brands.

Why it matters

The spirits industry has historically been male-dominated, particularly in technical and production roles. Tanduay’s emphasis on women leaders signals a broader shift in how legacy brands adapt to evolving consumer expectations and workforce diversity.

By the numbers

Delos Reyes has spent more than 36 years at Tanduay, rising through the ranks in a company that has held the title of the world’s top rum brand for multiple consecutive years.

What she’s saying

“I began my journey at Tanduay as a laboratory analyst, a role that gave me a deep foundation in the science behind every bottle. Over the course of my career, I've grown into my current position as SVP. It's been a path built on curiosity, hard work, and a genuine love for what we do,” Delos Reyes said in a press statement.

The big picture

Tanduay’s premiumization strategy hinges on consistency, innovation, and brand storytelling—areas where the company says women are making a measurable impact across product development, quality control, and marketing.

“Women bring a different perspective to the table, one that values nuance, storytelling, and experience,” Delos Reyes said.

Between the lines

Her leadership underscores a cultural shift inside traditional manufacturing sectors, where credibility is increasingly tied to expertise and performance rather than tenure or gender.

“My approach has always been simple: let your work speak for itself,” she said.

What’s next

As Tanduay expands into new markets, the company is positioning its internal diversity as a competitive advantage, particularly in crafting products that appeal to broader global audiences.

The bottom line

Delos Reyes’ trajectory highlights how institutional knowledge, paired with inclusive leadership, is becoming central to sustaining legacy brands in a competitive global spirits market. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma