Filipino Bartender Wins the First-Ever Southeast Asia Patrón Perfectionists Bartender Competition

Now on its 5th year, Patrón Perfectionists, the prestigious tequila cocktail competition of Bacardi-owned Tequila brand Patrón, recently concluded its first Southeast Asia finals and crowned Filipino Bartender Jason Hussein Ali last September 18 as its first-ever Southeast Asia champion during the competition in Bali, Indonesia. 

Every year, Patron Perfectionists challenges participating bartenders to create outstanding tequila drinks that will ultimately be enjoyed by consumers. This year, the competition opened to 30 countries across six continents. Finalists from various regions will battle it out to be part of the 22 finalists who will qualify for the global finals and compete in Mexico by January 2020. 

Jason from The Peak, Grand Hyatt Manila represented the Philippines together with co-finalist Krisca Labrague from Buddha Bar, Manila. Our local bartenders competed against Asian talents’ Wayan Hendra Budiyana Putra (The Pontiac Stardust, Bali, Indonesia), Markhad Syarif Hidayat (Mr. Fox Jakarta by Ismaya, Jakarta, Indonesia), Tomoo Hashimoto (D.Bespoke, Singapore), and Gerard Medrano (Skai Bar, Singapore). On October, Japan and South Korea finalists will battle in Seoul, and bartenders from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong will compete in Guangzhou to determine the other Asian champions who will join the global finals. 

Jason’s winning cocktail named Paraluman is composed of Patron Tequila silver, sampaguita cordial, vermouth, lychee juice, tonic water, grapefruit bitter, garnished with sampaguita lychee jelly. Inspired by Philippine’s love for beauty pageants, Jason relates his cocktail to a beauty queen. “Each ingredient used for this cocktail had a perfect representation of the different characteristics of a beauty queen taking its cue from the tequila classics’ Margarita and Paloma,” shares Jason. 

Jason is not new to winning bartending competitions, last year, he also bagged the title of Bacardi Legacy 2018 PH Champion. (Check out Jason’s winning Bacardi cocktail recipe on this link) “I believe what set me apart from the other competitors is the confidence, determination, and the faith that I instilled in myself with my passion in bartending,” Jason adds. “Whenever I join any competition, more than the prize and the bragging rights, I look forward to the added knowledge gained through the competition, and the relationships I build along the way.” He states that through these competitions, he is hoping to inspire others and be able to share the love he has for his profession. 

Jason started his career as a server in the now-defunct restaurant-bar Niner Ichi Nana owned by celebrity restaurateur Erwan Heussaf. “My mentors, Mark Herrera (now Beam Suntory Philippines’ brand ambassador) and Erwan helped me a lot,” Jason shares. “I was amazed at how dedicated they were, and it inspired me to study their craft,” he adds. Jason then moved to Oto in Poblacion (ranked #47 in 2019 Asia’s 50 Best Bar) where he learned a lot more about the bar industry through David Ong and the team behind the bar. “Today, I am privileged to be working in one of the most prestigious hotels in Manila. Here, I found new friends and family who has been very supportive throughout my journey in Patrón Perfectionists,” he states. 

“A lot of windows will surely open alongside this new title,” he enthuses. “This title will help me build a name for myself in the bartending industry and probably open up opportunities that I can only dream of before!” he shares. 

There will be at least 22 countries competing for the finals in Mexico, and Jason is determined to leave a lasting impression for the judging panel. “In any competition, I always make sure that I express my personality and not just deliver memorized lines. I want to deliver each sentence clearly so that it is understood because these words come from the heart,” he ends. 

For more information about the competition, visit the Patrón Perfectionists Facebook page.