“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”—Eleonor Roosevelt
This quote proves to be accurate for Aly Lorenzo, a Filipina bartender breaking barriers in both the local and international industry. From a simple dream of learning how to toss bottles to creating a remarkable legacy for herself and the Philippines, she has achieved it.
Aly, currently overseeing operations at Quezon City-based establishment Café Guilt and serving as head mixologist at Xi by Café Guilt, holds the distinction of being the first Filipina from the local Diageo World Class to represent the Philippines in the globally acclaimed World Class competition for bartenders. This competition, often referred to as the World Cup or Olympics of bartending, earned her the prestigious Tanqueray No. Ten Award.
Down memory lane
Hailing from Sampaloc, Manila, the 28-year-old creative pursued Bachelor's in Hospitality Management (HRM) at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), where she discovered her true passion.
"Love at first sight. That's what I felt for flairtending," Aly shared exclusively with the Manila Bulletin. "That's when I became amazed by people who tossed, juggled, and threw bottles."
European Bartender School, a world-renowned bartending school, defines flairtending as the stylish manipulation of bar tools and ingredients to craft unique cocktails, providing customers with an exciting and distinctive experience.
During her student years, she joined a bartending organization, learning new techniques that brought her closer to the historical path she would tread.
“Yes, learning to toss bottles was a part of it, but at the same time, you need to know the taste of your drinks and that they should be balanced,” she said. “Those were the advice I received and kept in mind, when I made my first signature drink for our final exam in bar management. It was fun because my mama was the first person to try it. She liked the raspberry flavor but found the drink too strong."
The competition journey
In 2018, after landing her first regular job as a bartender, Aly officially entered the local Diageo World Class competition. Although she didn’t win initially, this experience opened up new horizons. She acquired essential techniques and principles from trainers and fellow bartenders with whom she competed with.
“This was a seminar-style type of academic training that Diageo organized for the challenge, helping us create our own cocktail concept,” she said. “Learning about the different mixing methods as well as the fundamental knowledge in bartending from Diageo Bar Academy is a dream for many bartenders.”
Fast forward to 2023, armed with more experience, knowledge, and techniques, Aly re-entered the local Diageo World Class competition. This time, she triumphed, making history as the first Filipina to clinch the title of Philippine World Class Bartender of the Year and proudly represented the country in the global competition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last September 2023. Aly showcased the prowess of a Filipina bartender by winning the Tanqueray No. Ten, Make It A Ten Challenge Award in Brazil.
“Aly is the 10th World Class Global finalist from the Philippines and the first Filipina that represented the country in the said competition,” confirmed Rian Asiddao, Diageo PH brand ambassador, to the Manila Bulletin. “World Class is the world's biggest bartending competition and program, and we have been competing since 2013. Aly is not just the first Filipina who represented the country, but also the first Filipina to win a challenge in the said competition.”
Regarding the journey, Aly openly admitted that reaching her current position was not easy. Occasionally, she faces criticism and encounters new challenges. However, as the champion she is, she perceives these obstacles as opportunities to improve herself and her craft, recognizing the genuine support from those who believe in her.
“I feel incredibly blessed. I’ve met many people from my industry, and it was an amazing journey for me. It has truly been unforgettable, and it was always about proudly representing our nation,” she said.
“I learned two things from the international competition: companionship and knowledge. Companionship is about lifting each other and offering each other a helping hand and arms when needed even with our diverse heritage. Then the knowledge gained from every challenge. Day by day, we discovered a lot of new ways to develop our cocktails, and we learned from every culture in the bartending industry around the world,” she added.
To the next serve
Looking ahead, Aly, who loves fruity, refreshing cocktails, looks forward to seeing more women in the industry. She wants them to know that the journey will not be easy, but every step of the way is worth it.
“Every time you feel frustrated, always remember that there is magic and science in mixing. Every drop you put in your drink should serve a purpose: to help you hit that spot, creating a harmonious explosion of flavors. Continue to be curious about bartending and follow your preferred career path,” she advised. “I'm telling you that you will gain so many incredible ideas that will bring out your passion and dedication, which will lead you to win not only a competition but also the palates of many people within our industry. And to all our Filipina bartenders, let us keep the fire burning and continue believing in ourselves and our aspirations to make it to the top. G power!”