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Ron Cruz of Fat Cat

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781050620284A431213E-FD90-415C-9185-48DB1A5D777D.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ron Cruz of Fat Cat. Photo courtesy of Pam Pastor"/>Ron Cruz of Fat Cat. Photo courtesy of Pam Pastor</div>Ron Cruz of Fat Cat has been named World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026, taking the country’s most coveted bartending title and earning the right to represent the Philippines at the World Class Global Finals in Scotland after beating 14 other finalists at the finals held at Solaire North’s Sky Bar Tuesday, June 9.While many know Cruz as a bar owner of Fat Cat and his newer bars El Gato and Cattery too, his bar regulars and industry people also know that he is often seen on the floor, behind the bar, building drinks, shaping menus, and staying close to the craft day to day. He is also a staunch supporter of other bars, as I often see him attending most of the guest shifts or bar takeovers often.So it comes as no surprise as well that his competition background runs deep as he previously won the first-ever Philippine Campari Red Hands competition, where I had the chance to sit as one of the judges, already marking him early on as someone with both skill and presence under pressure.I’ve also had the opportunity to judge World Class Philippines at least four times in recent years, with my last stint in 2024. Over the years, you really see how much the program has pushed the industry forward — not just in technique, but in mindset.World Class has been instrumental in shaping the Philippine bar industry. More than a competition, it has become one of the strongest platforms pushing bartenders to level up — and with very favorable results. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781050714369IMG_6784 (1).JPG" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ron Cruz of Fat Cat. Photo by Cyrene de la Rosa"/>Ron Cruz of Fat Cat. Photo by Cyrene de la Rosa</div>The local scene today is very different from before. Most bars are relatively sharper, with better quality drinks and our Filipino bartenders are now consistently showing up on regional and global stages. Doing bar takeovers and collaborations, sometimes more often than our top chefs now.Recent winners include Kiko Victor (2024) and Ralph Santos (2025), part of a strong and consistent line of Filipino talent that shows just how the local industry has evolved.Over time, bartending has also changed in how people see it.Before, it was mostly perceived as service work. Now, bartenders are closer to chefs in terms of creativity and influence.  People go out not just for drinks, but for the experience, the stories, and the personality behind the bar.Cruz fits right into that shift. He’s both owner and bartender — business and craft, side by side. And that balance is what makes his win feel very grounded in our current scene.His victory is not just personal. It’s another sign that the Philippine bar industry is growing up and is now very much part of the global conversation.Tagay to Cruz, and to another Filipino heading to Scotland to fly the flag for the local bar scene and community. <div> </div><div>World Class PH past winners</div>• 2013 – AK Roxas• 2014 – Yoma Rivera• 2015 – Kenneth Bandivas• 2016 – Michael Tubiera• 2017 – Royce Pua• 2018 – Lester Ligon• 2019 – David Abalayan• 2021 – Poch Ancheta• 2022 – Claude Delima• 2023 – Alyssa Lorenzo• 2024 – Kiko Victor• 2025 – Ralph Santos

Ron Cruz of Fat Cat has been named World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026, taking the country’s most coveted bartending title and earning the right to represent the Philippines at the World Class Global Finals in Scotland.

Ron Cruz of Fat Cat has been named World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026, taking the country’s most coveted bartending title and earning the right to represent the Philippines at the World Class Global Finals in Scotland.

Ron Cruz named World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026

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Ron Cruz named World Class Philippines Bartender of the Year 2026

Cyrene de la Rosa

Published June 10, 2026 08:28 AM PHT

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Updated June 10, 2026 11:38 AM PHT

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World Class Philippines

bartender of the year

Ron Cruz

Fat Cat

Diageo

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