IN a male-dominated competition, a Filipina wowed Asia with her bartending skills. Jolan Penafiel, a bartender from TGIFridays Greenbelt, bagged the top spot at the recently- concluded TGIFridays Asia-Pacific Bartending Championship held in Jakarta, Indonesia!

World-class techniques, audience engagement, outstanding technical knowledge of the TGIFridays bar elements, plus a personality which is as spirited as TGIFridays, enabled  Penafiel  to win over other contestants from Asia.  Larry Tsai of Taiwan was first runner-up while Ken Miyamoto of Japan won second runner-up honors.

Penafiel will represent Asia-Pacific at the prestigious TGFriday’s World Bartender Championship to be held in the Dallas, Texas, USA.  

“It was an honor to represent the Philippines at the regional tilt; that was why I really gave it my best shot into this once in a lifetime opportunity amidst the really tough competition. And I am overwhelmed to go home to our country bringing with me this significant victory,” said the 24-year old champion.

Should Penafiel win at the World Barchamps, she will be the second Filipina to be bestowed the much-coveted the title, following in the footsteps of Rizza Umlas who was adjudged champion at the World Bartender Championship held at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas in 2015.  A male TGFridays bartender, Eric “El Terrible” Martinez, also brought home the world title in 2006.

“Once again, we have proven that the Philippines is indeed home to the some of the world’s best bartenders. Even our female bartenders can beat the rest of this male-dominated competition with their bartending knowledge and skills.  With the proper training, hard work and determination, we are looking forward to duplicating this victory at the World Bartending Championship next year,” Rechele Tiongson, VP for Operations, TGIFridays Philippines, said.