From a mere kid’s pastime to attaining the status of an elite sport, esports in the Philippines has come a long way.
Once dubbed as online gaming, it shed its informal image to adopt the more athletic name of esports, dropping its reputation as a delinquent activity often frowned upon by parents, who saw it as a time-wasting endeavor.
The conventional world of sports also did not escape the formidable influence of the digital evolution.
Today, esports has transcended into a platform, where college players engage in formal leagues and professionals compete on stages with substantial cash prizes at stake.
Enter Sibol, the national esports team, a collective powerhouse representing the Philippines on the global stage.
Acknowledged by the Philippine Olympic Committee, esports’ national governing body — the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) is diligently structuring and planning for the sport’s future to foster the growth of esports in the country.
PESO’s ambitious plans include the construction of a state-of-the-art esports facility designed to cater to various needs such as Sibol athlete training, onsite events and broadcasting.
“In 2024, PESO is unwavering in its commitment to nurturing esports talent through the development of our cutting-edge esports facility. Our dedication to enhancing esports infrastructure showcases our resolve to provide top-tier environments for players to refine their skills,” said Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director of PESO.
PESO’s vision for 2024 aims to create spaces that inspire excellence and propel esports to unprecedented heights.
TRIUMPHANT YEAR
The previous year marked a soaring moment for esports in the Philippines. Team Sibol shone brightly in the Southeast Asian Games, clinching a total of six medals, including two gold, one silver, and three bronze.
The pinnacle of success arrived in September when the Philippines was crowned the Overall World Champion at IESF, topping 111 countries.
Sibol’s Grand World Esports Championship win in ‘Taon ng Tagumpay’ underscored the team’s dedication and skill on the world stage.
“We take immense pride in supporting a team of talented and passionate players, who have been training relentlessly to represent our country. Looking ahead to 2024, we hold firm in our belief that Sibol will persist in elevating the Philippines on the global esports stage,” said Sibol general manager Jab Escutin.
COLLEGIATE BATTLE
The landscape of collegiate sports is evolving, with the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) expanding its league to more schools, offering opportunities for college students passionate about esports.
Since its introduction in September 2021, CCE has garnered support from 10 pioneer member schools, including Lyceum of the Philippines University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Mapua University, San Beda University, Arellano University, Jose Rizal University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, College of St. Benilde, and University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA.
The featured event, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, witnessed Lyceum of the Philippines University emerging as the back-to-back champions.
Stanley Lao, President of CCE, expressed gratitude for the growing support from schools, envisioning a promising future for esports in the collegiate ranks.
“We’re grateful, thrilled, and honored to have gained traction from more schools. It’s definitely a welcome development,” said Lao.
PREDATOR LEAGUE
The recent hosting of the Asia Pacific Predator League at the Mall of Asia showcased the immense popularity of esports in the Philippines.
A thrilling competition unfolded with 26 teams from across the region competing in Dota 2 and VALORANT, drawing action-hungry fans to the venue.
A total cash pot exceeding $200,000 was at stake, with Philippine teams, Team Secret and Blacklist Rivalry, securing significant winnings after dominating their events.
The success of Team Secret in the Valorant championship and Blacklist Rivalry in the Dota 2 finale underscored the prowess of Philippine esports talent.
ESPORTS MOVIE
The movie world is now also taking a dip into esports.
In a coming movie entitled “Good Game”, actor Donny Pangilinan will portray the role of Seth, an introverted gamer who plays for a rookie esports team while experiencing various personal challenges.
“It really made me respect more professional gamers and how much hard work they put into it. It’s really a real profession; it shouldn’t be taken lightly,” said Donny, who is an Acer Philippines’ brand ambassador.
Directed by Prime Cruz, “GG” or “Good Game” is produced by Mediaworks, Cignal Entertainment, and Create Cinema and distributed by ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema. The film showcases Acer and Predator gaming products as the official PC partner.
As esports continues to attract widespread attention, it is evident that it is not only growing in popularity but also establishing itself as a thriving industry with significant economic potential.