ABV’s Ken Bandivas World-class bartending now in PH
Diageo World Class Philippines was launched in 2013, and on its third year, out of 15 bars and 20 bartenders, Kenneth “Ken” Bandivas of ABV Bar won the slot to represent the country in Capetown, South Africa. He was named the World Class Philippine Bartender of the Year 2015 at the World Class regional finals held last July in Bangkok proving that the Philippines is becoming a formidable contender in the craft cocktail scene.
In just four years, his skill and talent has brought him to become one of the best Filipino bartenders. Being one of the younger bartenders that stepped up to the plate for World Class 2015, he has proved his worth through fresh ideas and innovative executions. His first passion was initially cooking-something that became helpful when he discovered the art of mixology. He shares that both crafts are a lot alikeperfected through practice, as well as trial and error. He is also the general manager of ABV, one of the country’s newest and most successful craft cocktail establishments. With a love for both his chosen craft and the bar that serves as a second home for him, Ken has the dream of making ABV a force to be reckoned with.
Located along Jupiter Street, Makati City, ABV (short for Alcohol by Volume) is one of Manila’s newest craft cocktail bars that is reminiscent of the 1920 speakeasies that surfaced during the Prohibition era in the US. With this in mind, ABV values exclusivity and privacy, and caters to those whowant a quiet space to get away from the noise that comes with living in a big city. It is a place where each drink is carefully prepared with only the best ingredients and freshest produce.
He went on to compete for the top slot in the world’s best bartender at the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2015 competition held in Cape Town, South Africa and Bandivas was one of the top finalists from the five challenges. He took the judges on a journey of flavor on the “Around the World” challenge where bartenders were asked to tell the story of their homeland and South Africa through cocktails. His journey of flavor included the exotic taste of Bittermelon and Palawan fruit representing the Philippines while for Cape Town he made a Marula and Zacapa cocktail.
Jon Good, general manager for Diageo Philippines said - “Philippines’ wonderful character and culture, which to me plays right into being a bartender because Filipinos are inherently warm, creative and friendly and they love to host people. And you look at the thriving bar scene we have here is we are seeing a lot of wonderful things and that’s why the cocktail culture here is thriving in the country.”