William Hatton Jr., a former Fine Arts student of La Consolacion College Bacolod, has emerged as Champion of the Philippine Coffee Brewer League (PCBL) Iloilo Specialty Coffee Fair, proving that excellence in coffee brewing can come from beyond hospitality training.
Hatton, owner of Astro 4O2 in Deca Homes South, Barangay Cabug, and known online as YAMSCOFFEEBREAKS, bested 44 competitors from Dumaguete, Aklan, Iloilo, and Negros/Bacolod. His victory earned him a place among Filipino champions representing the Philippines at the Thailand Coffee Hub Show in Central World, Bangkok, from October 10 to 12, 2025.
This marked Hatton’s second attempt at the PCBL. He first joined the Negros Occidental Coffee Fiesta Bacolod leg in August 2025 but did not advance. Undeterred, he used the experience to sharpen his skills, returning stronger in Iloilo where he clinched the title.
“Fine Arts made me see coffee as an art form…I treat every cup like a painting, where balance and presentation matter,” Hatton said. “Then Marketing helped me understand people better, like how to tell a story behind the cup. That combo is why I brew with both creativity and strategy.”
Although he stopped short of completing his degree at LCC Bacolod due to challenges, Hatton went on to finish a Marketing degree at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. He now balances entrepreneurship and coffee advocacy through his café and social media presence.
He credits his LCCian background for shaping his resilience and creativity. “Being an LCCian shaped me a lot. Fine Arts gave me creativity, while the community taught me discipline and resilience. Those values are exactly what I bring into coffee…always experimenting, but with patience and consistency.”
LCC Bacolod President Sr. Flolyn S. Catungal, OSA praised Hatton’s achievement: “We are truly proud of William for showing the world that the LCCian spirit thrives in any field—whether in the arts, business, or hospitality. His creativity and resilience embody the values we uphold at LCC Bacolod. We congratulate him and pray for his continued success as he represents the Philippines internationally.”
Hatton and fellow Filipino barista champions will fly to Bangkok on October 7 for practice sessions ahead of the international competition, which will feature contenders from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines.