Don Papa Rum recently brought its signature Tres Papas event to The Curator, one of the Philippines’ most acclaimed bars. This exclusive series features three standout bartenders who come together for a one-night-only experience, highlighting their skills while celebrating the unique and vibrant flavors of the Philippines.
This year’s theme, Panghimagas—the Filipino word for “dessert”—takes guests on a journey through cocktails inspired by classic Filipino sweets, each given a modern twist. The first event in the series took place on August 22 at The Curator, an award-winning bar that has ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars for nine consecutive years.
For this edition of Tres Papas, Don Papa Rum’s Philippine brand ambassador Audrey Gustilo, The Curator’s senior bartender Dan Santos, and Night Hawk Singapore’s Trisha “Taco” Leong teamed up to create cocktails that paid homage to Filipino desserts.
Taco, the operations manager of Singapore’s Night Hawk (ranked #16 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars), brought her signature style to the event. Known for her love of savory flavors and relaxed approach to bartending, Taco pulled inspiration from Filipino desserts like ube and leche flan, aiming to make these creations easy for anyone to recreate.
Dan Santos, a senior bartender at The Curator, showcased his years of expertise with cocktails inspired by Filipino summertime favorites like mais con yelo and sago’t gulaman. His drinks captured the refreshing, nostalgic feel of classic Filipino dessert coolers.
Meanwhile, Audrey Gustilo focused on rich, comforting flavors, drawing from rum and her favorite childhood desserts. Her cocktail incorporated macapuno and yema, staples of traditional Filipino sweets, highlighting her expertise in crafting drinks that spark conversation and connection.
Audrey shared her excitement about collaborating with such talented bartenders for Tres Papas: “This event is a true celebration of Filipino culture and culinary tradition, with Don Papa Rum as the centerpiece for cocktail creativity.”
The Tres Papas series continues with two more events: the second on September 11 at OTO in collaboration with 28 HongKong Street, and the third on October 2 at the Grasshopper in Makati City alongside Singapore’s Elephant Room, a bar that made its debut in Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023.
