Bartender of the month: Meet John Matthew Palapal!

Interview of John

John
Hi, everyone. My name is John, and I'm from the Philippines. I'm currently based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and I work as a bartender at the St. Regis on Saadiyat Island.

Elisa
What do you enjoy most about working as a bartender?

John
What I enjoy most about bartending is connecting with people—creating memories that transcend cultural barriers, and sharing knowledge and experiences. I also really love making cocktails for others.

Elisa
Okay! And how do you recognize a bartender—if there’s something that makes them stand out?

John
Well, first impressions count—they usually look cool, and often have tattoos, of course!
But more than that, when they start a conversation about beverages, it becomes easy for us to recognize one another.

Elisa
What’s the most commonly used expression for a bartender?

John
Oh, it’s all about having a cool attitude and vibe, you know. It can be quite intimidating, actually.

Elisa
What was your most memorable sip?

John
In terms of cocktails, my first memorable sip was a Negroni. It was also the first cocktail I ever made myself. And to this day, I still love it. Honestly, you won’t really appreciate a Negroni until you’ve had four of them—I agree with that!

Elisa
Our motto at SIP is “Everybody can bring something to the table.” What do you think you bring?

John
I think I bring the ability to adjust drinks and share a lot of knowledge and explanations with everyone at the table.

Elisa
If you could have a drink with someone, dead or alive, who would it be? A celebrity or a bartender?

John
Probably a bartender I recently got to know—Mr. Kagata Yakan. Cheers to you! You’re incredibly inspiring and a bit intimidating, but I admire you and everything you’ve contributed to the bar industry. Salute!

Elisa
SIP is an acronym for Share, Inspire, Pioneer. What does it mean to you?

John
To me, SIP represents a healthy and supportive community—especially within the bartending industry. It really helps us grow.