A Filipino barista and coffee roaster has once again proven his mastery in latte art by securing his third UAE National Latte Art Championship title in 2025. This marks Mondrick Alpas’ consecutive victories in 2021, 2024, and now 2025, solidifying his place among the UAE’s top coffee artisans.
The championship was held from February 10 to 12, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre as part of the World of Coffee Dubai exhibition. This highly anticipated event drew a record-breaking 17,000 visitors, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year.
Originally from Cebu, Philippines, Alpas began his coffee journey in 2018 when friends in the industry helped him land a barista job in Abu Dhabi. It was there that he discovered his passion for latte art, leading him to participate in various competitions.
“I started entering latte art throwdowns in the UAE in 2018. Inspired by my fellow Cebuano friends, especially Lyndon Recera, a coffee champion, and motivated by my fiancée Kiah, I aimed to showcase my skills on a national level,” Alpas shared with The Global Filipino Magazine.
His first national competition was in 2019, where he finished in third place. Determined to improve, he made a promise to himself: to work harder and become a champion.
The winning edge
When asked about what sets him apart from other competitors, Alpas emphasized dedication and persistence over raw talent.
“I believe that hard work can beat talent. There are many latte artists with greater talent than me, but I don’t see them as competitors I need to beat. Instead, I focus on my personal growth, practicing consistently to enhance my skills and create better latte art designs,” he explained.
However, the journey to winning wasn’t easy. One of the most difficult aspects of preparing for competitions, according to Alpas, is developing new patterns.
“Thanks to my team’s collaborative efforts and our ability to let creativity flow, I found the style and techniques that elevate my latte art designs for the national championships,” he said.
“Training can be draining, which is why having the right people around you is important. They assist you in preparing mentally, physically, and even financially. I wouldn’t have made it through without my family, my amazing team, and my coffee friends—Goldbox Roastery, Heirloom Cafe, Victoria Arduino, Lyndon, Dong, Elroy, Mark, and Bell—who placed second in the barista category. And, of course, my very supportive fiancée Kiah.”
Her fiancée Kiah Parangue is also a talented Filipina barista based in the UAE who made history by winning the 2023 Lavazza My Mocaccino Barista Challenge.
