41 Filipino athletes will take part in the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports event so far, the 2024 Mid-Season Cup.

Data from MLBB developer MOONTON Games proved that aside from homegrown talents Team Liquid ECHO and Falcons AP Bren, several other teams have fielded Filipinos, known for their commanding presence and championship prowess in MLBB esports.

Of the 41, 26 are pro players in various roles, while the remainder are coaches or analysts being employed by various teams. The pro players alone account for around 23% of the entire player population of the MLBB athletes competing in the MSC 2024.

“We have Filipino players, and we can see that they bring Filipino pride as they go to the international stage. And the tournament (MSC 2024), as one of the first titles announced in the Esports World Cup, will provide Filipino athletes with a bigger platform to showcase what they have and what they’re made of, include, and give the opportunity to achieve their dreams,” MOONTON Games Esports Marketing Manager Harry Leonardo told reporters in the send-off media scrum held June 25th.

“It makes me feel happy for our side because other countries acknowledge our players and coaches,” said Team Liquid ECHO head coach Archie “Tictac” Reyes. “In those numbers alone, we can already see the potential of Filipinos around the world.”

 

Aside from athletes, there is also going to be a dedicated Filipino coverage desk at MSC 2024, with veteran broadcasters Manjean Faldas, Renmar Sta. Cruz, Chantelle Hernandez, Jose Ingan, Bridgitte “Brigida” Ramos, Hans Galeria, Theo “Uomi” Ignacio, Francis “OSX” Joses, and Marjosh “JoshyCakes” Valdez calling the action live from Riyadh. 

MOONTON Games has confirmed that this will be the first global event that will have a dedicated Filipino-language broadcast onsite desk in MLBB esports history that’s not on home soil. Traditionally, Filipino broadcasts of major MLBB tournaments have been done off-tube, or via a live feed that is beamed directly to affiliate studios in the country.

MPL Philippines host Mara Aquino and broadcasters Dan “Leo” Cubangay, JC “Naisou” Rezabek, and Caisam “Wolf” Nopueto, meanwhile, will be on the call for the global English commentary, also live from Saudi Arabia.

MOONTON Games also confirmed that watch parties will be spearheaded by Falcons APBren and Liquid ECHO on home soil, with details will be announced soon. Moreover, a #PinasPataas video series will be launched from 1-2 July 2024 to show the inspiring stories of the representatives and how this tournament will be a life-changing experience for them.

MLBB content creators and influencers Jiji Plays, Elgin, and Fuego will provide MSC 2024 live updates through their social media channels. 

DFA official: esports is a “soft power” that can be harnessed by Filipinos

 

A Filipino diplomat has said the country’s foreign affairs department has taken notice of the Philippines’ impact in global esports, especially in the worldwide Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene.

Speaking to reporters on the heels of the MPL Philippines Season 13 Grand Finals last May 26th, Foreign Service Officer Andre Estanislao of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said that based on his personal observations, the Philippines can harness this power to further better understanding of the country, as well as promoting cultural exchanges and diplomacy.

“I guess esports is sports, and the public diplomacy through sports diplomacy that it brings about is magnificent. I mean, when you say Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, you cannot remove the idea of the Philippines from it. When you talk to, for example, foreign counterparts, and if they are a gamer, and they know of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, they will think of the Philippines,” Estanislao told reporters in a special interview.

Estanislao added that the trend of Filipinos being plucked to represent teams in Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia and elsewhere has been a testament to Filipinos’ ability to shape the MLBB esports landscape.

“I think the teams there, I’m trying to be diplomatic, are being carried by Filipinos over there. But I’m saying this not as a DFA agent, but as a personal observation. The power of the Philippines, this is a soft power that we can harness to even further the national interests of the country,” Estanislao said.

The diplomat added that esports help in promoting camaraderie and people-to-people exchanges between Filipinos and other countries, especially in the ASEAN region, where most global competitive MLBB is being watched and played.

“What I can say is any kind of people-to-people exchange, be it in sports, be it in technology, be it in science, it’s truly a welcome development for any kind of relationship between countries. And again, if you look at our ASEAN neighbors where Mobile Legends is really strong, you see that one way of promoting camaraderie is through gaming. It doesn’t require face-to-face or physical presence.” Estanislao said. “We hope that those players, our Filipino players, bring with them also the culture and the pride of the Philippines. It’s wonderful to hear our Filipinos speak the language of other nations, et cetera, but it’s also more heartwarming when our Filipino players teach other nations about our beautiful culture.”

The Philippine Esports Organization is also ecstatic at the diaspora of Filipino teams in the country, saying,  “We also extend our support to Filipino OFW athletes who are playing in different teams, that of course, compete in other countries.”

PESO executive director Marlon Marcelo added, “They also endure a lot, and of course, they take big risks for playing outside their comfort zones outside of the country just to achieve their dreams.”

Saudi Arabia has long been a key destination for overseas Filipino workers, known colloquially as OFWs. At least 380,000 Filipinos work in the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to December 2023 data from the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

MSC 2024’s Group Stage will begin on July 3, 2024, with world champions Falcons AP Bren taking on Xianyou Gaming or XYG from China at 4pm Manila time (11am in Saudi Arabia), and Team Liquid ECHO will be facing off against Saudi Arabian team Twisted Minds at 7pm Manila time (2pm Saudi Arabia time).