MONIN Philippines held its MONIN Cup 2026 National Finals at Flame Restaurant in Discovery Primea Makati on June 29. The competition showcased the country’s top young bartenders under 27, challenging them to reinvent classic cocktails under this year’s global theme, “Timeless Twists.”
Twelve of Luzon’s most promising bartenders competed for a place in the National Grand Finals alongside the champions from Visayas and Mindanao. Contestants were evaluated on aroma, balance, taste, finish, creativity, presentation, technical skills, recipe execution, and overall cocktail presentation before advancing to the Mystery Box Challenge. The event highlighted MONIN Philippines’ commitment to elevating the local bartending industry through innovation, education, and global opportunities.
The competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry experts. Their extensive experience and professional expertise ensured that the highest standards of judging were upheld throughout the event.
MONIN Philippines also expressed appreciation to its official venue partner, Flame Restaurant at Discovery Primea, and its co sponsors. The collaborative support of these industry partners played a vital role in bringing the landmark competition to life.
Following an exciting Grand Finals and Mystery Box Challenge, Maurice Compendio of Southbank Café + Lounge Estancia emerged as the MONIN Cup Philippines 2026 Champion with his winning cocktail, “Block No. 7.” Cyril Licuan of Nightshade Cocktails & Spirits secured second place with “Panoma,” while Hans Cabisan of The Oak Room earned third place with “A Craft with a Thousand Faces.” As the newly crowned national champion, Maurice will represent the Philippines at the MONIN Cup Asia Pacific Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this September.
The successful staging of MONIN Cup 2026 further strengthened MONIN Philippines’ commitment to nurturing young beverage professionals and showcasing Filipino bartending talent on the international stage.
The MONIN Cup Philippines 2026 was organized by the Marketing Team of World Wide Food Supply, Inc. (WWFSI), in close partnership with sponsors and industry stakeholders. The landmark event was successfully hosted by beverage experts and marketing representatives from both MONIN and WWFSI.
