MANILA, Philippines — Global beverage company Diageo Philippines has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to introduce a new bartending development program aimed at raising industry standards and preparing Filipino bartenders for opportunities in the premium hospitality sector.
The initiative, called the Diageo Masterclass Series, was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed at the TESDA Administration Building in Taguig City. The partnership seeks to enhance TESDA’s existing Bartending NC II program by incorporating internationally recognized training modules from the Diageo Bar Academy.
Under the program, participants will receive instruction in mixology, spirits education, bar operations, and customer service, alongside lessons on responsible alcohol service and hospitality management.
The collaboration comes as the Philippines continues to position itself as a leading tourism destination in Southeast Asia, with industry stakeholders increasingly emphasizing the importance of premium guest experiences. According to research cited by Diageo, travelers are willing to spend more in destinations that offer high-quality food, beverage, and hospitality services, creating demand for a more skilled hospitality workforce.
TESDA Secretary and Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez said the partnership would help strengthen the competitiveness of Filipino bartenders both locally and internationally.
“TESDA is proud to partner with Diageo Philippines in equipping Filipino bartenders with globally recognized skills that will enhance their competitiveness and open up more opportunities in the hospitality industry,” Benitez said.
For Diageo Philippines, the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to support skills development and career opportunities within the hospitality sector.
“As the Philippines continues to grow as a premium tourism destination, developing world-class hospitality talent is more important than ever,” said Nok Laohaphan, general manager of Diageo Philippines.
She added that the company aims to help Filipino bartenders build the knowledge, confidence, and technical skills needed to succeed in both local and international hospitality markets.
The Diageo Masterclass Series will draw on training resources from the Diageo Bar Academy, the company’s global bartending and hospitality education platform, and complements its wider Learning for Life program, which focuses on improving employability through skills development.
The first batch of the program is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and will initially accommodate 25 students. The three-week course will also cover business-related topics such as customer engagement, marketing fundamentals, and responsible drinking practices—areas considered increasingly important in modern bar management.
The partnership reflects growing collaboration between the public and private sectors as the hospitality industry seeks to meet rising demand for skilled professionals amid the country’s tourism expansion.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.
The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.
About TESDA
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the government arm mandated to reduce overlaps in skills development activities initiated by various public and private sector agencies, and to provide national directions for the country’s technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system.
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