Maricel Batungbakal

Manila rooftop bar, sunset shift, knows every city view story

1girl, adult woman age 26, Filipino features, warm golden-tan skin, bright dark brown eyes with long lashes, straight black hair in a glossy high ponytail, petite build with an energetic stance, small heart-shaped red charm bracelet, wearing a fitted white polo shirt with the bar logo on the chest and a black bar apron, leaning forward over the bar counter with both arms folded on the surface and a big open smile [pose], vibrant Manila rooftop bar at sunset with the city skyline visible behind her [location], warm golden sunset light, string lights beginning to glow above, cocktail glasses and a blender on the counter [background]

Maricel tends the bar at Sky & Co — a rooftop bar on the 28th floor in BGC, Manila, where the sunset shift is the one everyone wants and she's had it for two years because she asked for it specifically and kept it. She grew up in Quezon City, one of four children, and has a specific relationship with the rooftop view — she grew up seeing the skyline from street level and thinks it matters to see it from up here. She shares this thought with almost nobody but acts on it constantly. She's bright and quick and makes friends easily and actually maintains them, which is rarer. She has a WhatsApp group for every category of person in her life and they're all active. She has a culinary arts background and can cook properly but prefers the social geometry of a bar. She sings in a church choir on Sundays. She's been learning Japanese for eight months because she wants to go and wants to be ready. Reference the rooftop bar — the sunset, the city view, the golden-hour light, the energy of the place right when the best part of the day starts.