Ronald Cruz of Fat Cat Named World Class Philippines 2026 Bartender of the Year

Ronald Cruz of Fat Cat, a stripped-back cocktail bar in Makati, has been crowned World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026, securing his place at the Diageo World Class Global Finals in Scotland this September, where he will go head-to-head with some of the world’s top bartending talents. For Cruz, the victory still feels surreal. “I really went into it not expecting anything. My team and I just prepared and we won.” Drawing inspiration from the bold blending vision of Dr. Emma Walker, Master Blender of Johnnie Walker, Cruz built his winning Hopscotch Challenge presentation around the story of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. He created three interpretations of classic cocktails from different eras of cocktail history, each highlighting a unique wine-cask influence and flavor characteristic of the whisky. As he prepares for the global competition, Cruz said his focus now shifts to learning from those who have already experienced the Diageo World Class journey.

“Of course, I’ll seek mentorship with the other winners,” he said, adding that preparations for Scotland will begin once the global competition mechanics are announced.

His victory comes at a time when international judges say the Philippine bartending scene has reached new heights. Charles Richard, World Class Indonesia 2025 Champion and one of this year’s World Class Philippines Finals judges, noted how dramatically the level of competition has evolved. “The level, the quality, the standards are very, very high right now. It’s quite challenging for us as judges,” Richard said. Damon Park, World Class Korea 2025 Champion, said he was impressed not only by the technical skills of Filipino bartenders but also by their creativity, 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. “When we go back to our countries, we can share some of these ideas. It helps make the industry more developed and connected.”

For Diageo Philippines, the growing quality of talent reflects the continued evolution of the country’s bartending community.

“We are very excited by the talents that we have seen this year,” said Rachanatorn “Nok” Laohaphan, General Manager of Diageo Philippines.

According to Laohaphan, this year’s competition attracted a growing number of first-time participants as well as bartenders from outside Metro Manila, reflecting the expanding cocktail culture 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 recognizing excellence, she said Diageo World Class serves as a gateway to international exposure, mentorship, and professional growth, helping bartenders build networks locally and globally while inspiring the next generation of industry talent. Outside the competition, Diageo continues to invest in bartender development through initiatives such as Diageo Bar Academy and Learning for Life, providing business and hospitality skills development for those seeking employment in the hospitality industry. This commitment to talent development, shared by industry partners such as Solaire Resort North, which hosted this year’s finals at Skybar.

Belle Cahulogan, Senior Manager for Public Relations and Communications of Solaire Resort North, said partnerships like the World Class Philippines align closely with the property’s own mission of nurturing hospitality professionals. “Having these world-class competitions in our property inspires our own team members, boosts morale, and allows them to learn from some of the best talents in the industry,” Cahulogan said.

The impact of Diageo World Class extends beyond individual bartenders. For Ryan Asiddao, co-founder of The Jury in Makati and a long-time industry advocate, competitions such as the World Class Philippines play a critical role in strengthening the entire ecosystem—from bartenders and bar owners to brands and consumers.

“Competitions like World Class are very important because they highlight the scene itself, the bars, and the bartenders,” Asiddao said. He added that international recognition also translates into business growth. “Bartenders and bars are now being recognized as destinations. 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 to Scotland, he hopes more aspiring Filipino bartenders will take the leap and join competitions that challenge them to grow.

“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 another Filipino champion preparing to take on the world, World Class Philippines continues to prove that local bartending talent is not only keeping pace with global standards—it is helping shape them.