Expect E-sports to click further in the Philippines

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2021 was sort of a banner year for the Philippines regarding its participation in various electronic sports (E-sports) events, either locally or internationally, where Pinoy players have dominated the majority of these competitions.

No wonder, with the lucrative money prizes and distinctions that await esports athletes, the esports market in the country grew further. And since smartphones continue to become the ubiquitous gadget for Filipinos, coupled with improving mobile internet connectivity, expect esports to continue to attract youngsters to the esports arena.

One such esports team is "Virgin Souls"

"Our team was named ‘Virgin Souls’ because we have a business called Virgin Soles, which is a sneaker cleaning product. We loved the name Virgin Soles because we wanted to show the other teams our "clean and smooth moves," explains Ingrid, team manager of Virgin Souls, whose members include Jetson Ignacio, Kharl Tan, Kristofer Calderon, Joshua Albino, Steven Buenaventura, Mark Cabigting, and Coach, Laurence Ruiz.

Initially, recruitment requirements for team members were not really that high because it was what she called a "passion project." However, after a few months, they started to become strict when they added Banting, one of the country’s top tanks, to the team, a child prodigy since he was only 16 years old. They made some changes to the requirements for inclusion in the team, such as high points, that recruits have to go through the process of choosing players. "What we did was we held tryouts and recruits were made to answer certain interview questions to gauge their attitude, and then we interviewed them. And we didn’t set any age requirement as long as they are dexterous enough to play the game."

She explained the choice of Goyo, who is 22, as the team captain, who was chosen because of his maturity to lead the team, someone the other team members can refer to as their "Kuya."

Why E-sports?

It was her little brother’s dream, says Ingrid, to be part of a pro team, and it was hers and her partner’s passion since he is a co-owner of the TNC Pro Team so she decided to form an amateur one. "For a professional team, the pressure is much higher, same with the costs, but the prizes are bigger. With an amateur team, the risks are also high. It’s really about investing time, and resources because the competition field is much bigger and the chances of winning are smaller."

Challenges Abound

The first challenge they faced, according to Ingrid, was recruitment, which is more skills-based. In the first stage, she said, it’s all about skills, and then after that the interview for their attitude, though that can’t be gauged immediately. By the time they went to boot camp, that’s where they saw who they really were. "Because they’re young, we saw their immaturity, their difficulty in dealing with other people, and the pandemic somewhat affected their social skills. We had to adjust things while they were at boot camp, and taught them how to go along with other people," she said.

But what she was glad about was that the majority of the players have supportive parents who wanted to support their child’s dream, although they had difficulty with some, like Haru, one of the players, who had a super strict guardian. "That was understandable so we had to explain that their children are safe with us, so we put in place protocols like regular Covid-19 testing every month."

For one of the team members, he said it was difficult to be away from his family, his child, but he needs to do it to fulfill his dreams and to prove to himself that he feels the need to be better. His sentiments were echoed by the other team members, who all shared that what they’re doing is for the fulfillment of their dreams, and of course, the bonding time with teammates is necessary to fight homesickness.

Ingrid is also proud that their team members, mostly students, still managed to excel in school despite their busy schedule in training. It all boils down to time management, she said, because she doesn’t want the players to neglect their studies since education is still important. "They’re not different from traditional sports athletes where they have to maintain good grades because we don’t want people to think that esports is a hindrance to their studies."

Legislative Action

The idea of identifying E-sports players as "athletes" much like in traditional sports, was the reason why Ingrid joined the party-list CLICK, or Computer Literacy, Innovation, Connectivity and Knowledge since one of their major platforms is E-sports, where they want to help the kids gain recognition as athletes, for E-sports to be respected. "We believe CLICK can help us and other teams achieve that level of respect, that they will help the esports scene. They’re the only party list that devotes time to supporting E-sports and has future projects related to its development. It’s nice to know that there’s a group such as CLICK as a partner of the esports community."

The future of E-sports with CLICK’s Help

With CLICK’s help, Ingrid believes that esports will become a viable option for kids who want to pursue an esports career. As of now, she said, those venturing into esports are still very few, and fewer parents believe in it. "With the help of CLICK, I think they will be able to help us shape the future generation who are more open to going into esports, especially parents. Once CLICK is elected into Congress, they can come up with laws for its further development and support during competitions, especially regarding travel requirements. With the help of CLICK, we hope they can make parents understand that esports is not just a game and it’s not just a waste of time. I think CLICK can help us change that perspective."

It is all about making the right CLICK through technology. The esports community has chosen CLICK as their party list of choice. So, be ready to choose CLICK, No. 40 on the ballot.

To know more about CLICK, visit any of the following social media channels: 

Website: https://www.clickpartylist.ph 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLICKpartylist

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ClickPartylist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clickpartylist/

YouTube: https://bit.ly/CLICKPARTYLIST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/partylist-click-4b0016227/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clickpartylist

Make technology CLICK for everyone

Technology has indeed become a big part of our lives—how we move, how we work or learn, how we think. Essentially, technology allowed us to live life with more ease and convenience.

But it is still not as ubiquitous as it may seem. Somehow, technology still doesn’t click for everyone, especially those whose access is still limited. Many are also averse to its wonders, thinking it has made people lazy, too dependent on machines, ignored critical thinking, etc.

However, just like what the Bible says: "The love of money is the root of all evil." The verse did not say money is not the root of all evil; the "love" of money is. In this case, technology is not bad; we need it to make our lives somewhat easier (not to make people lazy) and better.

That is why here in the Philippines, a group of young and visionary individuals decided to establish a party-list group that will push technology to be a big part of Filipinos’ lives not just in highly urbanized cities (HUCs) but also in the countryside. Through groundbreaking legislation, Computer Literacy, Innovation, Connectivity, and Knowledge, or simply "CLICK" party-list, dreams of making a technology change the way we live, work, play, learn, even govern, from the traditional and cumbersome, to the digital and high-technology, in order to make life better for everyone.

CLICK looks at technology to be the sound backbone of Philippine society in terms of business, working and learning gaming, and most of all, strong internet connectivity.

Doing business, the "high-tech" way

Whatever business you have, big or small, technology can play a big role in terms of business operations (finance, marketing, people management), productivity, efficiency, security of data and other confidential information, cross-border (overseas) transactions, even building relationships with other businesses. In a business environment where the majority are Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), they are seen to be the ones that will benefit the most from technology. CLICK believes that through sound legislative support, MSMEs and businesses, in general, will gain from it, particularly with better internet connectivity.

Legislation can also help build partnership programs that can create a solid business network. Couple this with international opportunity-building programs, where Filipino businesses are given the opportunity to take their businesses overseas—local operations, global reach.

Empowering of learning/working in the 21st Century

CLICK is looking at legislation to change the way Filipinos work and learn in the 21st Century. The pandemic contributed to the concept of "work from home" or "learn from home" since face-to-face classes and on-site work were suspended due to lockdowns. Through CLICK-authored laws, some companies and schools can give options to their employees or students can choose from a work-from-home or learn-from-home setup, coupled with the advantage of consumers being given the right to choose the best internet data plan that will suit their needs. With legislation, schools can also be supported to come up with a tech-related curriculum, in consultation with the business sector, that is focused on what specific IT skills the industry will be looking for from fresh graduates. At the same time, schools can also produce quality IT talents with bigger opportunities for employment overseas.

Building a new breed of athletes

CLICK believes that the Philippines has one of the greatest bunch of talents in the world when it comes to E-sports (electronic sports). They really CLICK it good when it comes to competing in esports competitions overseas that offer not only lucrative cash prizes but also global prestige. Thus, CLICK will legislate appropriate laws that will lay the framework of support for the country’s esports athletes in terms of world-class training and esports talent development via esports boot camps nationwide to boost their readiness for local and international competitions. CLICK is also looking at giving legislative recognition for esports athletes, much in the same way as traditional sports athletes, including enough flexibility in their travel requirements given the hectic schedule of esports competitions worldwide. An esports career development program is also being envisioned by CLICK, not just in the area of playing but also in the field of game development, another in-demand job with incredible overseas employment potential for Filipino IT talents.

Internet for all

Being the "social media capital of the world" is no doubt a good thing to hear, but with one of the slowest yet high-priced internet packages, no wonder a large part of the country is still not connected, or under-connected. Part of CLICK’s legislative agenda is to create a task force that would monitor the quality of internet connectivity nationwide, particularly in the provinces with weak or no internet signal at all. Somehow, through legislation, it will force internet service providers to "up their game" when it comes to internet infrastructure to make it from Third World to First World quality and provide better internet for all. Also, CLICK’s vision is to help establish a more competitive market, with shorter "lock-in" periods so Filipinos have the power to choose what internet plan suits their needs and the duration they want. With this level playing field for broadband connectivity, CLICK believes that all Filipinos can now connect to the internet in just one CLICK.

CLICK believes that only through effective and sound legislation can they affect change for all Filipinos wherever they are in the country and regardless of their economic status. Their “Four Pillars for Technology” is definitely not achievable overnight but will be a continuing work in progress. It will involve a whole-of-society approach in terms of changing the mindset when it comes to technology and its benefits to all Filipinos.

For CLICK, it is all about effecting change through technology-oriented legislation. This will give a more efficient and the technologically-sound Philippines a better chance to move forward.

It is all about making the right CLICK through technology.
Filipinos, be ready to choose CLICK.

To know more about "CLICK" visit https://www.clickpartylist.ph or follow CLICK Party-list on the following social media channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CLICKpartylist
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClickPartylist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clickpartylist
YouTube: https://bit.ly/CLICKPARTYLIST
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/partylist-click-4b0016227/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clickpartylist

45 of 300 Squads Advances in The Rules of Survival-NIMO TV Philippine Champions League Qualifiers

Manila, Philippines – With the overwhelming number of squads who joined and tried to outwit one another, 45 Teams will advance to the Playoffs of the biggest Rules of Survival Tournament in the country hosted by NIMO TV.  

The 2-Day qualifiers happened in 3 venues around the metro, with over 300 squads from different caliber showed up to prove their worth and secure a slot in the playoffs. 

"The qualifier brought out the best among the best this is just a preview of what will happen in the coming playoffs and finals. We want to discover squads who have the grit to compete on a professional level." - Henry Zhao, NIMO TV Overseas Executive

The 15 qualified squads of each venue will compete in the playoffs this December 1 & 2, 2018. The top 4 squads per branch will move to the finals together with the top 2 squads of the whole tournament. The crowd favorite will also earn a slot and will complete the 15 squads who will compete in the finals.

Winners of the Rules of Survival - NIMO TV Philippine Champions League can bring home Php 100,000 for the 1st Prize, Php 80,000 for 2nd Prize and Php 50,000 for 3rd Prize. Aside from the cash prizes and in-game items, the Top 5 teams will also represent the country in the Rules of Survival Southeast Asia tournament to battle and claim supremacy.

Watch the exclusive broadcast of the tournament on NIMO TV.

Full tournament info here: https://goo.gl/e9vZEB

Download the NIMO TV app at Apple app store and Google Play store.
Click link here: https://nimotv.onelink.me/B6cW/25ba46b7

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About NIMO TV
NIMO TV is a leading global platform that allows millions of gamers from all around the world to play and broadcast their games to other like-minded players building a community of players, gamers, and fans that drive conversation, and allows peer-to-peer rewards and recognition. Utilizing a high-quality interactive technology, audiences can interact with streamers, and gain access to exclusive esports events and tournaments, along with unprecedented access to the top streamers from across the region.