Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest DrinkManila launched #TipYourBartenderPH as a way to help out our local bartending community during these trying times. Every Friday, for #DMHappyHour, we’re showcasing a bartender who will share a tasty cocktail recipe that viewers can do at home, as well as give them a platform to promote their small business. People can show their love by supporting the featured bartender’s business and directly sending them a tip. This week’s featured bartender is Glenn Talavera. Though he’s been bartending for six years, Glenn started in the kitchen. But was more curious about the bar area, and decided to know more about that side things. “It was very entertaining to see the staff behind the bar making drinks from classic to special and personalized drinks. That’s when I started to observe and ask them,” Glenn shares. Glenn’s career took him to La Union, where he put up a small hangout place called Aftersesh. When he came back to Manila, he worked behind the bar at Bitters Bar in BGC. Amidst all of that, he also worked in IT and graphic design. He eventually decided to bring Aftersesh to Manila, which became the bar of HOLA restaurant in Mandaluyong. Glenn Talavera Glenn is a chameleon, who adapts to whatever situation he finds himself in and takes advantage of opportunities that come his way. He co-founded DBWY (Drinks Be With You), a cocktail pop-up bar with fellow bartender and Diageo Brand Ambassador Rian Asiddao in 2018. The DBWY team has grown to include respected industry members Niño Cruz (Bacardi Philippines Brand Ambassador), Aaron Aw (Destileria Limtuaco), and Michaella Francesca Flores (Monin Asia). They’re group not only mounts cocktail pop-ups – like their first successful event in 2018 in La Union for Labor Day with Secret Party, a collective of DJs and event organizers – but also serves as an organization for local bartenders. He’s also teamed up with Eight Wolves, a traditional pomade brand, for Grease Be With You, Glenn’s line of hair care and grooming supplies in 2017. They collaborated again for Glenfiddich’s World’s Most Experimental Bartender 2019, where their entry, pomade made with Glenfiddich and a drink made with the same ingredients, won the People’s Choice award. DBWY team (Left), entry to Glenfiddich’s World’s Most Experimental Bartender Competition 2019 with Eight Wolves (Center and Right) The pandemic halted operations and put bartenders out of work, but being the enterprising man that he is, he didn’t let the situation faze him and immediately thought of solutions. “We all know that most of the people in F&B industry have no work during the pandemic especially during lockdown. That’s why they decided to enter online businesses like making milk tea and bottled cocktails since they are bartenders,” Glenn shares. “Some of them asked me if I know someone who make labels and logos. Then, I thought of instead of venturing on the same beverage products why not do the labels since they all needed it. That’s when Stick It Easy Ph started.” A few of Stick It Easy Ph’s clients Stick It Easy Ph is Glenn’s sticker and label business that caters to the needs of bartenders and bars who have ventured to making bottled drinks for delivery. His clients aren’t just limited to drink labels though, and supplies stickers to food businesses, small skin care brands, and events as well. If you need a sticker label, Glenn’s got you covered. In addition to sticker printing, he also offers logo and graphic design services. Glenn’s positive outlook and resourcefulness has kept him going through the pandemic. “I’ve learned to be more calm and positive about everything. Always think and plan everything first,” he shares. “I tend to view everything in a positive way,” he adds. “As the head of the bar always think out of the box. Like what we did by bringing our drinks to bottled cocktails since bars are still not allowed to operate we thought of why not we bring their favorite drinks to their home where they still can enjoy it.” HOLA has recently opened again for take-out, delivery, and accepts dine-in customers (at 30% capacity). They’re launching a selection of FIlipino-inspired cocktails, which Glenn conceptualized, that people can enjoy at home. He offers this advice to other bartenders who want to start their own side gigs: Just go with it. Don’t let negative people control your decisions and what you want to do. Catch Glenn Talavera on #TipYourBartenderPH at 5:00 pm on July3, Friday, on DrinkManila’s Facebook page. Follow Glenn on Facebook and Instagram. Show your support by following and ordering from Stick It Easy on Facebook and tipping Glenn directly through GCash: 09179609817. Maker’s Mark is giving a bottle to the highest tipper for this program. Take a screenshot of your tip to Glenn, and send the pic via DM to DrinkManila and the highest tipper will get the Maker’s Mark bottle!