Honoring the First Female Rum Master of Puerto Rico

On Tuesday, June 13, the renowned digital newspaper El Nuevo Día shared an exciting news story that is now being widely circulated. Silvia Santiago López, who has dedicated 50 years to Destilería Serrallés, has been acknowledged by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico for her remarkable journey.

Silvia Santiago López is a significant figure in Puerto Rico’s rum industry, having fulfilled various roles over five decades at Destilería Serrallés. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the country’s first female rum master and the second in the entire Western Hemisphere.

For the past thirty years, as the Vice President of Manufacturing, this proud 72-year-old from Ponce has spearheaded a complex operation, overseeing the entire process from acquiring molasses to packaging the finished product, enjoyed by countless consumers across the globe.

Despite her professional success, Silvia remains rooted in her humble beginnings. Having grown up in the impoverished neighborhood of Machuelito in Ponce, she carries her modest origins with great pride and refuses to forget them.

“I was born in the poorest neighborhood in Ponce, Machuelito, which was situated before the Lions Bridge. My father walked barefoot due to extreme poverty and joined the army to earn a living, while my mother stayed behind to take care of us, their three children,” recalled Silvia, daughter of Ángel Santiago and Julia López.

“I feel immensely proud because my parents laid the foundation for who I am today. I carry these humble roots with utmost pride, never allowing myself to forget them,” she added, mentioning that her family relocated to Atocha Street in the urban area after the neighborhood’s disappearance.

From an early age, Silvia displayed a determination to succeed, despite economic constraints that seemed to impede her dreams of pursuing a university education.

“My mother wanted to mortgage the house because she wanted me to study. I resisted because I witnessed her struggle to save every penny, make sacrifices. But one day, the mail carrier arrived with a letter. The Catholic University granted me an honorary scholarship,” shared the graduate of the renowned Ponce High School in 1969.

That marked the beginning of Silvia’s path, leading to her graduation in biology and medical technology, followed by a degree in chemistry.

“While studying medical technology, I discovered that Destilería Serrallés was seeking someone with microbiology knowledge to work with yeast and fermentation. I underwent interviews and was chosen for the position,” she revealed.

“I had no idea about the industry. I didn’t know what it meant to make rum. I was aware of the products because Don Q had a presence in all Puerto Rican activities and people’s lives. But when I started working at the distillery, I fell in love. Even after 50 years, I’m still just as passionate,” Silvia confessed.

Silvia began her journey at the laboratory of the century-old company in 1973 and gradually climbed the ladder, assuming roles such as Director of Quality and Compliance, Assistant Manager, and finally, Vice President of Manufacturing.

Unintentionally, Silvia has become an important figure in the male-dominated rum industry.

“I would be extremely happy to know that I indeed paved the way for women who wished to enter. When I started, I was the first woman in the plant. I didn’t even realize it because I was so accustomed to it,” said Silvia, Puerto Rico’s first female rum master.

However, she finds the most fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother of three children, acknowledging her husband, Roberto Velázquez, as the wind beneath her wings.

“A significant part of who I am today is thanks to his support. He has always been there, encouraging me. He took care of our three children whenever I traveled. I have two sons and a daughter, all grown now. They are also my inspiration,” she revealed.

As she celebrates half a century with the company that has witnessed her growth into an exemplary leader, Silvia admitted, “There is still much I want to achieve at work. I have many ongoing projects, and there are many dreams on the horizon.”

To honor her fruitful career, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico (DDEC) and Secretary Manuel Cidre, through the Rones de Puerto Rico program, paid tribute to Silvia López at a ceremony held at Castillo Serrallés last Wednesday.

“Silvia is an exceptional woman with an extraordinary career. Her dedication has led her to become a professional whom we all admire. Silvia represents the excellence and quality of our island’s product, while also elevating the work of everyone in the rum industry. She contributes to the economic development of our island, helping us establish ourselves as the World Capital of Rum,” expressed Cidre.

“At Destilería Serrallés, Silvia serves as a great example for everyone. This well-deserved celebration and recognition, after half a century of a brilliant professional journey, fills the rum industry and all of Puerto Rico with pride,” concluded Philippe Brechot, President and CEO of Destilería Serrallés, Inc.