Mix it up!

When I was 19 years old, I had a brief stint learning about bartending. A good friend of mine was a professional bartender and was teaching me the ins and outs of mixing drinks and putting different amounts together perfectly to come up with a delectable cocktail. I even attempted some minor flaming (tossing bottles), though that kind of ended up in disaster. Even so, I have always enjoyed watching professional bartenders toss and flip bottles while mixing drinks.

That actually brings me to my current point of rumination: awesome Filipino bartenders. My friend was awesome at what he did and at the time was actually a bartender for TGI Fridays. As a matter of fact, a lot of great bartenders are from there. They not only know what to mix and flame, but how to put on a show as well. Indeed, this is so true that Bacardi decided it was time to give that talent a more global stage.

Bacardi is the world’s undisputed leader in premium rum, and over the last two years it has made an amazing comeback on the scene under the marketing leadership of expatriate, Rajiv Ghumman. Events like Steve Aoki Live in Manila, the Tides Boracay Launch Party, Embassy’s Superklasse Wednesdays, Cuisine’s celebrated Happy Mondays concept, and Bacardi’s Friday night radio show on 93.1 FM among so many others has truly cemented the brand’s position as not only the party scene’s favorite rum, but also a brand that continues to bring excitement to Manila’s nightlife.

That being said, tonight Bacardi will be showcasing something else that is equally world class: Filipino bartending talent.

Not many people know that for three consecutive years, a Filipino has won in the Asia-Pacific Bartending Championship, and has been granted the privilege to compete in the World Championship in Las Vegas. In 2006, our very own Eric Martinez won first place in the Overall World Bartending Championships. And in 2007, Matthew Burgos also represented the Philippines and snagged second place in the World Barchamps.

Tonight, TGI Friday’s will be hosting the 13th Philippine Bartending Championships (Barchamps) sponsored by Bacardi, at the Bonifacio High Street in the Fort. The country’s most talented professional bartenders will be competing against each other to represent the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific Bartending Championships, to be held in New Delhi, India on October 4, 2008.

Bacardi’s main man Rajiv adds, “One of the Bacardi Brand’s traits is that it is ‘made to mix’ and a good physical manifestation of this is the skill of a talented bartender. We at Bacardi believe that the Filipino’s talent is truly one of the best the world over. Hope you all can drop by at High Street to support your favorite mixologist.” Indeed, if you want a good mix and a good show to go along with it, then check out the contest. You may even find your new favorite drink! Cheers!