Esports in the Philippines

Esports in the Philippines refers to competitive video gaming or esports in the Philippines. This article covers both amateurs and professional levels.

Esports in the Philippines
Esports match during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
CountryPhilippines
Governing bodyPhilippine Esports Organization
National team(s)Philippines national esports team
Club competitions
International competitions

History

From the 2000s to the early 2010s, video game tournaments in the Philippines have been largely amateur often held in internet cafés in Metro Manila. Video gaming was widely seen as just for leisure or past-time and not seen as a credible means for a professional career. Among popular video game titles featured in tournaments around this period are Dota 2 and Counter-Strike.[1]

The Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO), which would govern esports in the country would be established in 2011.[2] Filipinos would eventually become esports athletes and professional esports teams would be organized to compete in international competitions.[3]

In 2017, the state agency Games and Amusements Board recognized esports as a legitimate sport.[4][5]

The Philippines would introduce esports as a medal event in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games which it hosted. This would be the first time esports would feature in an event that also featured traditional sports.[6] PESO would also formally organize a national esports team for the occasion which was given the moniker "Sibol".[7][8][9] Esports would be subsequently featured in succeeding editions of the regional games.

The rise of the availability of smartphones and mobile internet would cause the increased popularity of mobile game titles for esports by the early 2020s such as Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile.[10][11]

Sports body and regulation

The Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) is an esports body that represents the country officially to the International eSports Federation (IeSF), which is one of the largest esports associations in the world.[12] The organization is a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee since 2020.[13][14][15]

Professional esports athletes in the Philippines are also required to secure a license from the Games and Amusements Board.[4][5]

Competitions

The following are professional esports tournaments and leagues that are organized in the Philippines.

See also

References
  1. "From internet cafes to international competitions: the rocketing popularity of esports". BusinessWorld. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. "[Philippine Reports] Philippine Esports Organization". International Esports Federation. Philippine e-Sports Organization. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. Bolando, A. J. (30 July 2017). "Esports seen to usher in jobs, businesses into Philippines". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  4. Sheldon, David (October 22, 2017). "Philippines Officially Recognizes eSports As A Real Sport". Casino Org. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  5. Regalado, Pia (10 October 2017). "The Philippines' new athletes: eSports gamers". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  6. Gonzales, Gelo (November 28, 2018). "Esports now a medal event at 2019 SEA Games". Rappler. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  7. "Sibol named PH's esports team for SEA Games". ESPN.com. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. "Final Sibol roster for SEA Games revealed by PSEU". ESPN.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  9. "Sibol to Represent the Philippines in Esports at SEA Games 2019". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  10. Go, Josiah (18 November 2022). "Riding on esports boom". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  11. Lojo, Michelle (29 December 2022). "Philippine esports gains traction in 2022". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  12. "What is PeSO?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 4, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  13. "PESO gets POC nod, now the official National Sports Association for esports in the Philippines". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. From the wires (31 August 2020). "Esports alliance PeSO makes bid for Philippine Olympic Committee recognition". Philippine Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  15. "POC approves membership of Philippine Esports Organization". GMA News. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
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