Loud and Proud: Uhaw Bar and Lounge’s first-ever Pride Party
Pride weekend at Uhaw Bar and Lounge proved to be an impressive experience, radiating elegance and vibrancy on the memorable evening of June 24th. Showcasing awe-inspiring drag performances by a constellation of immensely gifted queens, this exclusive and emerging establishment concluded Pride month on a very high note.
Elevating the Pride celebration to the splendid highlands of Antipolo, Uhaw orchestrated an exceptional night brimming with magnetic lip-sync routines and dazzling dance performances, allowing revelers to embrace their authentic selves in an atmosphere of exuberance.
Meanwhile, the talented DJs propelled the energy to soaring heights and kept the dance floor in a perpetual state of euphoria with their electrifying soundscape that permeated every corner of the bar.
Loud and Proud: Uhaw Bar and Lounge hosted their first-ever Pride Party
Banger after banger
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
The bar had opened its doors early for people who wanted to chill before the event. As they settled down in the cozy hub, they were welcomed by good music. The evening commenced with a remarkable compilation of remixed disco and new wave tunes excellently curated and blasted by the gifted DJ L.A.
Brimming with nostalgia, the music established the perfect aura for an exquisite and fiery night ahead. Thereafter, DJ Newmark took control, imbuing the airwaves with restorative and dynamic atmospherics, discovering the harmonious balance between the timeless pizzazz of the past and the throbbing beats of the present.
True to its promise of an evening to remember, Uhaw Bar delivered a high-octane affair, captivating guests with its eclectic array of talent. Attendees reveled in the harmonious blend of spirited beats and delectable wines, cocktails, and liquors while they wait for the spotlight to shine on the remarkable drag queens.
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
The incomparable Miss Bella Fox, the ever-gifted Miss Kerrie Duhh, the enchanting Miss Giovanni TK, and the vibrant Miss Ada Bow infused the evening with their contagious high spirits through their glorious drag ensembles.
Uhaw delighted attendees with a delectable assortment of culinary delights, intriguing their taste buds with the bar’s finest and creatively crafted finger foods. They also get to taste the bar’s Philippine Craft Beers and Liquor like Agimat Gin, Kanto Salted Caramel, and many more. Furthermore, patrons had the privilege of savoring the bar’s pièce de résistance, Marites, a collection of signature libations that showcased the bar’s clever fusion of local and international spirits.
The event took on an even more dynamic and engaging atmosphere as the owner personally extended her heartfelt welcome to the guests.
Ambition fulfilled
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
Ally Nino, known as Chef Ally by her colleagues, took the helm in spearheading the structure of this burgeoning bar along the bustling Sumulong Highway. Motivated by her fondness for city exploration, Chef Ally’s dream of creating a bar later gradually took shape.
“It’s very rare that we get to see a bar inclusive of all types of people, races, and gender preferences. So I want this to be a safe place for everyone,” she said.
As a co-owner of Kaulayaw, a renowned coffee shop enterprise led by her partner AJ Cabarles, Chef Ally astutely incorporated elements of the local language from the celebrated coffee shop to sweeten the Filipino fabric of the bar. This inspired decision then gave birth to the name Uhaw, evoking a sense of familiarity with patrons and encapsulating the establishment’s friendly and inclusive ambiance.
“It’s for everyone na uhaw in so many ways. Uhaw na uminom, uhaw ka sa saya, uhaw ka sa pagmamahal, uhaw ka sa community na tatanggap sayo with an open arms.”
Inspired by her experiences visiting jazz lounges in New York City, Chef Ally seamlessly incorporated some of the foreign elements into her own localized bar. What’s more is that she enlisted the expertise of renowned mixologist and barista, Master Kevin Israel, who is highly deemed for his contributions to the bar scene in Poblacion, Makati.
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
Having been established just this year, the jazz lounge seized the opportunity to host a remarkable celebration in honor of Pride Month. Going above and beyond, Chef Ally went the extra mile by curating an unforgettable evening, inviting the most exceptionally talented drag queens from the industry to grace the occasion.
The queens have spoken
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
Miss Kerrie Duh, one of the talented performers of the night, was very thankful for the opportunity that the bar had given to them.
“Ang pag-support sa pride events like this ay pagtanggap na rin na kabilang kami sa mga tao, hindi lang tolerated, but accepted at sinusuportahan ang karapatan namin,” she said.
The sensational drag queen took the stage with an enthralling lipsync performance to Beyoncé’s empowering anthem, Alien Superstar. Moreover, her choice of song held an intensely personal significance, resonating with her as a drag queen and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Ina-attach ko ang kanta sa work na ginagawa namin. I want them na makilala pa ang drag dahil may iba’t ibang forms of drag at matagal na ito,” she pointed out. “Sana mas mabigyan pa ng opportunites ang drag queens sa Pilipinas.”
Miss Giovanni TK, on the other hand, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the bar’s initiative. Further, she sees the event as a pivotal chapter in promoting drag culture and nurturing inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community in the local bar scene.
Uhaw Pride Party | Dominic Duquiatan
“I hope na, hindi naman lahat, pero magkaroon pa ng space to show the public na we have our own rights din on these kinds of bar. It really helps a lot dahil nagiging platfrom para iexpress ang truer self namin,” she said.
In a ravishing exhibition of talent, Miss Giovanni TK gave a brilliantly colorful lip sync rendition of the iconic Spice Girls hit, Wannabe, that encapsulated her personal advocacy for inclusivity and acceptance.
“If you really want to know me more, you should not only know about me but also the environment that surrounds me rin,” she said.
Looking towards the future, Chef Ally is enthusiastic as she eagerly anticipates hosting a myriad of events catering to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Buoyed by the triumphant Pride weekend, the up-and-coming bar is poised to deliver even more exceptional experiences in the months to come. Through their eventful evening, Uhaw has definitely raised the bar for Antipolo’s local nightlife scene.
