Pineda whose Marianas Punch cocktail bested nine other entries, won a cellular phone from IT&E, $75 cash, gift certificate, a medal and a trophy, and another trophy and medal for bagging the Best in Showmanship Award.
Pineda, who started working for Saipan World Resort in 2005, has been bartending for the past four years. He won third place in the 2009 and 2010 competitions.
“I am very happy for winning first place and I am giving my award as my gift to my son Marlon Jr. who has just graduated first honor at Golden Harvest School,” Pineda said. He also extended his thanks to his Saipan World Resort family who supported him during his weeks of rigorous practice for the competition.
“I owe thanks to our manager Matthew Park, and to my coachesAlvin Palma, Rogel Carvana, Steve Chea, Ronald Sanchez and Jolito Bayking for their consideration and patience,” Pineda said.
Roland Fernandez of Laolao Bay Golf & Resort was the first runner up, grabbing the attention of the audience and judges for shooting a massive fireball from out his mouth.
Fernandez took home $50, gift certificates, a medal and a trophy. His “Immortality” cocktail was named “Best in Taste.”
Ma. Theresa Rio of the Pacific Islands Club placed second runner up for her “Burnett’s Flirty Princess” concoction, winning $25 cash, gift certificate, medal and trophy.
Mike Benavente of GIG Discotheque was the third runner- up for his “Tropical Mango” cocktail. He won a gift certificate, medal and a trophy.
Helen Borja from the Hyatt won the best in props and costume awards.
The other contestants were Mark Nuique of The Flair Bar who prepared “Obama Mama”; Raymund Tolentino of PIC, “Reese’s Peach Summer”; Ernie Garcia of the Hyatt, “Marianas Blossom”; Joseph Salmarin of the Hard Rock Café Saipan, “Black Rockin’ Burnett”; and Ed Flores of GIG Discotheque, “Strawberry Fields.”
Tournament director and Northern Marianas Bartenders Association president Lito Espino said he was very happy because despite the rain, a lot of supporters stayed to watch the competition.
“This is our 10th year of competition and our support from the community is getting stronger. We continue to be grateful, and we hope to have more participants next year,” Espino said.
The contestants were judged based on the following criteria: originality, 20 percent; neatness, 5 percent; showmanship which includes technical flair, confidence, equipment, timing and time limit, 40 percent; taste, 25 percent; and audience impact, 10 percent.
The judges were Jesse L. Randles, Romeo Malasarte, Ramon Awit and Cristina Ilustre.
Event sponsors were the Marianas Visitors Authority, Marpac, Burnett’s Flavored Vodka, IT&E, Duty Free Shop Galleria, Coca-Cola, System 4you, WVC Inc., and Armatech.
Annamae Adaza hosted the program.
