Bartenders Battle at the TGIFriday’s 21st Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartending Championship

The Midtown Atrium at Robinson’s Place Manila was the site of the 21^st Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartending Championship of TGIFriday’s last July 20. The best bartenders from the TGIFriday’s branches around the country performed at the bar stage and battled it out to see who would represent the Philippines at the Asia Pacific round of competition in Taiwan in October.

Last year’s winner Rizza “The Apprentice” Umlas (the first female and the youngest bartender to be crowned the Grand Prize winner at the World Bartending Championship held in Dallas, Texas) paired with coach and Asian Champion Rev “The Revolution” Bacasno for a special tandem flair performance to inspire this year’s contenders.

Nineteen bartenders participated in the Compulsory Round, where they were subjected to rigorous tests, including a written exam. The herd was whittled down to the top eight, who had to use their skills, personality, and flair to impress the judges and make five drinks in eight minutes or less for the Freestyle Competition. Apart from speed, accuracy, precision, competency, and confidence were also taken into consideration.

In the end, Jo Eric “Kid Rock” Carpena (TGIFriday’s Alabang Town Center) was awarded second runner-up while John Jerrick (The Bump Guy) Galicia from TGIFriday’s Bonifacio High Street was named first runner-up and was also the Compulsory Round Champion.

Seventh time was the charm for Aldrin “The One” Javar from TGIFriday’s Fairview, who bagged the Championship title. It wasn’t just pure luck (or the presence of his mother, who watched the competition for the first time) that gave him the edge. Hard work, tenacity, and a genuine love of bartending gave him the skills and confidence that made him stand out. When asked how he felt about winning the prestigious title that had previously eluded him, a visibly emotional Javar said that “everything has its own time.”

As expected, the whole affair gave the audience an adrenaline-pumping good time. After all, as their saying goes, “If it’s not fun, it’s not Friday’s.”

Photos by Star Sabroso