Ronald Cruz of Fat Cat in Makati has been named World Class Philippines 2026 Bartender of the Year, earning the chance to represent the country at the Diageo World Class Global Finals in Scotland this September. His win marks another major moment for the Philippine cocktail scene, which continues to gain recognition for its creativity, technical skill, and world-class storytelling.
Ronald Cruz Brings Filipino Bartending to Scotland
For Cruz, the win still feels unreal. “I really went into it not expecting anything. My team and I just prepared and we won,” he shared.
His winning presentation for the Hopscotch Challenge drew inspiration from Dr. Emma Walker, Master Blender of Johnnie Walker. Cruz created three takes on classic cocktails from different eras, each one spotlighting the wine-cask influence and flavor profile of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby.
Now, his focus shifts to the global finals. Cruz said he plans to seek guidance from past winners as he prepares for Scotland. “Of course, I’ll seek mentorship with the other winners,” he said.
The Philippine Cocktail Scene Is Leveling Up
Cruz’s victory comes as global judges praise the rising standard of Filipino bartenders. Charles Richard, World Class Indonesia 2025 Champion and one of this year’s judges, said, “The level, the quality, the standards are very, very high right now. It’s quite challenging for us as judges.”
Damon Park, World Class Korea 2025 Champion, also highlighted the creativity of Filipino bartenders, especially their storytelling and use of local ingredients. “It’s a good opportunity to see how Filipino bartenders are performing both in competition and behind the bar,” Park said.
For Diageo Philippines, this year’s competition showed how much the local bartending community has grown. Rachanatorn “Nok” Laohaphan, General Manager of Diageo Philippines, said the competition welcomed more first-time participants and bartenders from outside Metro Manila, proving that cocktail culture is expanding across the country.
“World Class is one of the platforms that we hold close to ourselves when it comes to building the bartender community and helping elevate it to the next level,” Laohaphan said.
Beyond the title, competitions like World Class help open doors for mentorship, global exposure, and stronger industry connections. Rian Asiddao, co-founder of The Jury in Makati, said these competitions help spotlight bars and bartenders as real destinations.
“Bartenders and bars are now being recognized as destinations,” Asiddao said. “When travelers look for the best bars and experiences, they discover these places. It’s good for sales, and it’s good for the industry as a whole.”
As Cruz prepares to carry the Philippine flag in Scotland, his message to aspiring bartenders is simple: take the chance.
“Always join competitions,” Cruz advised. “Some people don’t want to because of fear. But for me, as long as you learn something, even if you lose, you still come out ahead.”
With Cruz heading to the global finals, the Philippines continues to prove that its bartending scene is not just catching up. It is helping shape the future of cocktails.
