Meet Your Bartender: Sciemon Maquirang

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 Sciemon Maquirang. His interest in bartending started in college when he was in a flair bartending organization with Ji Agunat. Sciemon was a musician at that time and would sit by the bar after gigs to observe how bartenders make drinks. He needed to leave school to help support his family and needed to find work that will provide a more stable income than being a musician, and bartending what the first thought that popped into his head.

After a series of rejections from establishments, he got accepted at Padi’s Point San Lazaro. He worked his way through several bars – a mobile bar called Infinite Shots, then on to Chilli’s, Draft Fort, Brewery at The Palace, 5ynco Bar, and Libertine – before landing a spot in the country’s best bar, The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, which he calls his home and family.

His career highlight so far is joining the Campari Bartending Competition last year and placing third with his cocktail Caffè Milano, a drink inspired by americano coffee and Campari Americano cocktail. “Everybody knows that Amaro is my main field in bartending,” Sciemon shares. “Campari was the one who opened the door for me to the world of amaros.” Caffè Milano is made with coffee-infused vermouth, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, black walnut bitters, tonic water, and Campari. If you’re curious to try this drink, The Curator is offering it for delivery and pick up.

The pandemic has made Sciemon reflect on what is important to him and adjust his plans. “This has been difficult in a way that you need to distance yourself from the people you love and those you used to be with every day,” he shares. “We Filipinos grew up with very hospitable gestures which are part of our daily routines like pagmamano, hugging, handshaking, and making beso when we meet our friends and loved ones.”

“I realized that I need to be more practical in spending money. Aside from bartending, I needed to find another source of income to sustain our daily lives,” says Sciemon. “Luckily, my friends and I planned the Sober Skull Clothing line a few months before the pandemic hit.”

Sober Skull is a clothing line that features Sciemon’s and his partners’ artworks. “I really love different forms of art,” he says. This time, my friends and I decided to pour out our passion and interest and make a reality through the shirt as our canvas.” Their shirts, which range from XS to XXL are comfortable and stylish. Their first volume, Tarot Skull is their take on two tarot cards: Temperance and the King of Cups.

Despite the setbacks and pandemic, Sciemon still feels blessed. “I’m so lucky that I’m surrounded by good people who truly love me,” he says.

He advises his fellow bartenders to take the plunge when it comes to starting a business. “Just give it a shot,” Sciemon says. “We are bartenders. Giving a shot doesn’t hurt”

Catch Sciemon on #TipYourBartenderPH at 5:00 pm on August 28, Friday, on DrinkManila’s Facebook page. He’ll show us how to make his cocktail entry, The Breakfast Club, a bittersweet drink resonates with the calming morning vibe that refreshes our mind from our struggles during this pandemic.

Show your support by following Sober Skull Ph (Facebook and Instagram). You can place your orders here, and tip Sciemon directly through GCash: 09176521347. Follow Sciemon on Facebook and Instagram.

Campari is giving a bottle to the highest tipper for this program. Take a screenshot of your tip to Sciemon, and send the pic via DM to DrinkManila and the highest tipper will get the Campari bottle!