Diageo recently concluded the Philippine leg of the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Competition virtually, awarding Poch Ancheta, Bar Manager of Skye, as the Philippine Champion for 2021.
Now on its 8th year in the country, World Class Philippines is committed to supporting the industry as it elevates the Philippine cocktail culture and scene.
Poch Ancheta’s success has come in his 5th year of joining the Competition, where he contended with his co-bartenders in various challenges. After completing a series of qualifying heats featuring Diageo Reserve spirits such as Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray No. TEN, The Singleton, and Ketel One, the Skye Bar Manager emerged victorious as the Philippine Champion, besting 30 other hopefuls.
Initially intrigued by the world of bartending because of the movie Heyward Gould’s Cocktails starring Tom Cruise, Poch Ancheta vividly recalls feeling inspired by the practice, but never thinking it would be his passion and profession. This all changed when he met Jericson Co, Owner of The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, who later on became his mentor and paved the way for Poch to develop his bartending and leadership skills.
Ancheta, prior to his big win this year, had vied for the title 5 times before securing it. He speaks fondly of this journey and revels in his similarity with fellow World Class Bartender Lester Ligon, who tried three times before winning the title in 2018, and impressively went on to place 6th globally and to win the Ketel One Better Drinking Challenge — a major feature in the Competition.
World Class challenges are no easy feats. Going beyond creating innovative drinks, each bartender must also be able to establish strong rapport – fully incorporating the aspect of hospitality, storytelling, and creating a connection with the guests or audience through the drink prepared. At the end of it all, it was Poch that garnered the highest cumulative score making him the Philippines’ Best Bartender of the Year 2021.
“The goal is to make a mark; to be the steppingstone for the next generation of bartenders to achieve greater heights; and to push the boundaries for Filipino bartending,” shares Poch. “I want to establish the Filipino Brand of Bartending, which goes beyond just innovative drinks and well-executed cocktail presentations. The Filipino Brand of Bartending is uniquely ours because it is powered by the innate hospitality and desire to serve that our nation is known for.”
