Shaking up the scene

David Abalayan's journey to becoming a champion mixologist

- JESSICA PAG-IWAYAN

When David Abalayan first stepped behind the bar, he wasn't chasing trophies or titles. What drew him in was curiosity—the idea that a cocktail could be both a science and an art in one glass. More than 10 years later, that same curiosity has carried him to one of the biggest milestones of his career: winning the 2025 Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship (UBC) Philippines.

On July 21, 2025, at Skinny Mike's in Bonifacio Global City, David, now bar manager of Oto Bar Manila, emerged as the champion after an intense showdown of skills—outpacing some of the country's best bartenders in pouring, nosing, table service, and the highly anticipated Round Building finale. His calm, consistent rhythm and ability to serve perfectly balanced cocktails under pressure won over the judges unanimously. In October, he will head to Tokyo to represent the Philippines at the UBC Regional Finals.