PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Enderun Colleges Named Highly Commended at 2026 WSET Excellence in Education Awards
METRO MANILA, Philippines — In the world of wine, knowledge is not simply about knowing which bottle to open. It is about understanding what is in the glass, where it came from, how it was made, why it tastes the way it does, and how that knowledge can be translated into better experiences for the people who drink it.
This is the same discipline behind the WSET, one of the world’s leading organizations in wine and spirits education. Through its network of WSET Approved Programme Providers, learners across the globe can pursue education covering everything from introductory wine knowledge to advanced study of grape growing, winemaking, and wine evaluation among others.
And that high-class education, especially at that scale, also comes with a high-class standard.
Globally, there are more than 800 WSET Approved Programme Providers. These institutions delivering WSET programs operate within an international framework for education and assessment. This year, WSET inaugurates its Excellence in Education Awards, honouring organizations and individuals that stand out for their contribution to that global community.
The awards recognize excellence across three categories: Enterprise, Student Experience and Social Impact.
And this year, among 110 organizations across 28 countries, one “Highly Commended” in the Enterprise category came from the Philippines.
11 years to this moment
Eleven years were what it took to get here. After more than a decade of offering WSET programs, Enderun Colleges, through its lifelong continuing education arm, Enderun Extension, has been recognized “Highly Commended” for the Enterprise Award at the 2026 WSET Excellence in Education Awards.
Enderun was also announced ranked #1 in Southeast Asia.
"This recognition is deeply meaningful to Enderun because it affirms that excellence in wine education is ultimately about creating meaningful careers and expanding opportunities for Filipinos,” Bel Castro, Wine Program Head, Enderun Extension, said.
WSET Educator Chie Gatchalian also expressed the same. “This award means coming full circle from seeing a classroom that was barely filled. It makes me feel very very proud and I feel like we have accomplished something great as a team.”
“It's pride not just from being an educator, but also being a part of a team that works very well together,” she added.
Enderun’s WSET journey has been built through the work of educators, academic teams, operations, sales and admissions, marketing, and the many people working behind the scenes to keep the program running at the standards expected of a WSET Approved Programme Provider.
It also includes former members of the Enderun team who helped establish and maintain those standards along the way.
And this recognition shall not serve as an endpoint. It will be a note on a corkboard about the responsibility that comes with being part of a global wine education community.
As it moves into its next chapter, Enderun Colleges and Enderun Extension will continue to preserve the standards that have shaped its WSET programs over the past 11 years.
The goal remains the same: to uphold the quality and integrity of WSET education while contributing to a growing community of wine professionals and enthusiasts in the Philippines.
The Team Behind
“[Our WSET programs are] taught by people who are actually working in the industry and/or have worked in the industry. There is a lot of experience that is being brought into the classroom and that experience, passion and enthusiasm can be seen by the students.” Gatchalian shared.
The team of educators behind Enderun Extension’s WSET programs is composed of: Bel Castro, Head of Wine Programs at Enderun Extension, who serves as a course educator for WSET Levels 1 and 2 in Wines and as a nominated educator for Levels 1 and 2 in Spirits; Paolo Nesi and Chie Gatchalian, who teach across the Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Wines; Gail Gonzales Sotelo and Godofredo Pineda, who also serve as course educators for the same levels.
N PHOTOS: Beyond the Glass: Learning the Art of Wine. Students explore the craft, culture, and expertise behind every bottle through Enderun Extension’s WSET® programs, bringing globally recognized wine education closer to aspiring professionals and enthusiasts in the Philippines.
For more advanced wine education, Sariya Kampanathsanyakorn and Swee Peng Lim contribute to the Level 3 Award in Wines, with both also serving as internal assessors. Kampanathsanyakorn is a nominated Level 3 educator, while Lim serves as a Level 3 course educator.
“It's not just delivering the courses in the manner that is excellent, but also showing people the possibilities beyond the classroom. I think that's what every educator here brings to the table and what people see and talk about,” Gatchalian added.
About Enderun Extension
Enderun Extension is Enderun Colleges’ continuing education and professional development arm, designed to provide accessible and industry-driven learning opportunities for individuals seeking to upskill, reskill, or pursue specialized training beyond traditional degree programs.
It offers a wide range of short courses and certificate programs, among others across key fields such as business, hospitality, culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and other industry-relevant disciplines. Courses are designed and delivered by experienced faculty and industry practitioners, ensuring practical, real-world application and global standards of learning.
As a WSET Approved Programme Provider, Enderun Extension now enables learners in Southeast Asia to now access this global standard without leaving the country, making structured wine education more accessible to those building or advancing careers in the industry.
Full details on schedules, fees, and enrollment procedures are available through Enderun Extension’s official website and admissions platform.
Keep updated on our latest news through our social media accounts, too at @enderunextension on Instagram!
