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 bartender is Loreen Hernandez. Loreen has been in the industry for eight years, working in different bars across the metro (Las Flores, Rambla, Crystal Lounge), and even did a stint in Macau for a year before becoming head bartender at Versus Barcade. She credits her colleagues in inspiring her to find out more about spirits and cocktails since they came from well-known bars and felt like she needed to keep up with them. Her hard work paid off and she won La Maison Cointreau PH Competition in 2018 and placed first in the Opihr Gin Global Cocktail Competition in 2019. Apart from exploring the local bar scene, Loreen was also able to observe the cocktail scene on Hong Kong and Macau, and gained insight and inspiration from those experiences. She joined the team at Solaire as the senior head bartender in the summer of 2019, where she worked until February 2020 to pursue better opportunities abroad. However, her plans were interrupted by the pandemic. “Unfortunately Covid-19 had a great impact on the hotel and food and beverage industry,” Loreen shares. “So I need to postpone it and resume next year.” In the meantime, she decided to put up a beverage and sweets business called JellyMoon and Sweet Tooth. JellyMoon drinks JellyMoon and Sweet Tooth comprises of JellyMoon, a selection of refreshing beverages with flavored jelly, and Sweet Tooth, a line of flavored chocolates (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) to satisfy every chocolate lover’s moods. Sweet Tooth chocolates “This pandemic virus created a worldwide impact which had a huge effect in the hospitality industry and other sectors,” Loreen shares. “In this time, we need to think outside the box and look for ways to support our financial needs until everything gets back to normal.” Loreen never imagined that she would put up a small business, but circumstances led her down this path. She sees this as an opportunity to hone her craft. “With this business, still have the chance to practice my skills of making drinks and mixing flavors, so I won’t get rusty when I get back to work again,” she shares. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun!” The pandemic is tough, especially since Loreen is the breadwinner of her family, but she has kept a positive attitude. “I discovered that I can still be productive in a way that I won’t have to set my skills and passion aside while learning and discovering the small business owners world,” she says. “Who knows this could be my future business when I decide to settle back here for good.” She has learned from this experience and has grown as a person, and is prepared to face the uncertain future head-on. “I’ve learned that I should know how to do other things in case this happens again,” she shares. Her advice for fellow bartenders who would want to start a business of their own: do something you’re passionate about and where you’re good at, whether it is beverage related, your hobby, or your other talents or skills. Catch Loreen on #TipYourBartenderPH at 5:00 pm on July 17, Friday, on DrinkManila’s Facebook page. She’ll show us how to make one of her JellyMoon drinks, as well as her chocolatey cocktail entry, Candlelight. Show your support by following and ordering from JellyMoon and Sweet Tooth on Facebook and Instagram and tipping Loreen directly through his GCash: 09666289884. Follow Loreen on Facebook and Instagram. Maker’s Mark is giving a bottle to the highest tipper for this program. Take a screenshot of your tip to Loreen, and send the pic via DM to DrinkManila and the highest tipper will get the Maker’s Mark bottle! Watch #TipYourBartenderPH with Loreen here.