Villarosa, Estrada, winners of the bartender competition

The bartender who is from Maa, Davao City, Philippines, defeated for the second time three other participants who are vying for the title in the Flair Challenge category.Villarosa who has been working with the Palau Plantation Resort for 14 months received a $300 cash prize, trophy, gift certificates and other gift items.Estrada, 24, a waitress from Palm Bay Bistro got a $150 cash prize, trophy, gift certificates and gift items.It’s first for Estrada who is from Atimonan, Quezon Province, Philippines. She was working as a waitress at a Korean restaurant in the Philippines when she decided to try her luck here in Palau two years ago.Arnel Saplot of PPR placed second while Ade Agus Wirayasa of Riptide Bar and Restaurant landed third in the Flair Challenge category.Saplot received $150 cash prize, trophy and gift items while Wirasaya received $75 and trophy and gifts.It’s Wirasaya’s second time to join the contest but it’s his first time to win a prize.“I’m happy and I would like to thank everybody for their support,”he said.The other winners in the Red Rooster Cocktail category are Leonnie Sisang, second, also from PPR and Kenny Tungpalan of ATT, third.Sisang who received a cash prize of $100 has been with the PPR for four years and three months now. It’s her first time to join the contest and was happy to win.Tungpalan for his part is just new in the country. He’s been here for three months now and he’s also from Maa, Davao City, Philippines.“It’s my first time to join also and I’m so happy and so thankful to God for this opportunity,”he said.All of the participants in both categories performed some bartending exhibition skills before doing the actual mixing of wines.Each of the participants was given a total of 7 minutes for the preparation and actual mixing of wines.Wilma Umangay, Co-chairman of Accomodation and Restaurant Committee of Belau Tourism Association said that Western Union donated $2,000 for the event. Western Union has been sponsoring the event for three years now.Dr. Minoru Ueki, Belau Tourism Board of Directors Vice President graced the affair and gave an opening remark.Philippine’s stage and movie actress Pinky Amador was the guest performer at that night. She wowed the audience with her songs and dances.The Judges were Lucia Santos of Moylan’s Insurance; Phillip Tell, Red Rooster; Pia Morei, Belau National Museum; Mari Kishigawa, Carp Resort; John Diaz, Western Union; Hideki Tanaka, Impac Tours and Erwin Muyot of Palm Beach.Clayton Johanes hosted the competition.