Panayam kay Executive Director Marlon Marcelo ng Philippine ESports Organization
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00:00 The launch of the Unity League.
00:02 We will discuss with Marlon Marcelo,
00:05 the Executive Director of the Philippine Esports Organization.
00:09 Sir Marlon, good afternoon and welcome to Bagong Pilipinas.
00:14 Good afternoon, hello.
00:15 Okay, first of all, sir, what can you say about the launch of the Unity League for Esports in the country?
00:23 And how big an impact will it have on aspiring and talented players in the field of Esports?
00:29 Definitely, this is going to be a game changer in terms of how we actually help the grassroots Filipino Esports athletes.
00:38 We know for a fact that there are a lot of Filipino gamers all over the country
00:44 and we're hoping that by this Unity League, we're going to, of course, help them become more visible
00:52 because one thing that is very unique about Unity League is it focuses on different regions.
00:59 It's not just Manila-centric or NCR-centric.
01:03 So, there are opportunities in different regions to show the talent of their athletes.
01:09 Sir Marlon, in your opinion, how wide is Esports in our country?
01:15 And how will it help the development of Filipino youths today?
01:20 Definitely, Esports now is considered part of sporting projects.
01:27 It's part of big Esports events like SEA Games, Asian Games.
01:32 So, it is really important that we know and we know how to push Esports responsibly
01:38 because some of the problems that we're encountering initially was, of course,
01:44 when you play or you're told by a gamer, "Ah, that's not going to work. That's not going to work."
01:50 But really, that's really different. Now that it has become a sport, there is discipline.
01:56 You need to have, I would say, a very good schedule.
02:00 You have to do all your stuff before you actually play.
02:03 So, we're really disciplined now.
02:05 Part of it is us, especially, pushing for responsible gaming.
02:09 When you say responsible gaming, you still do your assignments before you play, right?
02:15 You still help your family.
02:16 Why are your parents happy, sir?
02:18 Oh, definitely. That's how it is.
02:20 It's not just that you play for 8 hours, 10 hours. That's really not the strategy.
02:25 Well, as you said, it's a legitimate sport now. It's in the SEA Games.
02:29 I think we won several gold medals.
02:31 Yes.
02:32 And it's only a matter of time. It's already an Olympic sport.
02:36 Definitely, one of the things that we're looking forward to is Olympic inclusion.
02:40 But, of course, currently, it's not there yet.
02:43 The highest that we've seen is Asian Games.
02:46 So, it's going to be, I guess, maybe, two Olympic iterations before the eSports will enter the Olympics.
02:53 So, if your son is really good,
02:55 multi-millionaires, let's talk about the prize.
02:59 But in the first season of the Unity League, what game will the league start?
03:05 And how is the process for those who joined, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao regions?
03:11 So, the most basic thing that the Philippine eSports Organization thought of is number one.
03:17 What is it that everyone plays?
03:20 So, currently, based on the number one game in the Philippines,
03:23 we can confidently say that this is Mobile Legends Bang Bang.
03:27 So, almost everyone who has a cell phone actually plays Mobile Legends.
03:33 It's just us, Bang Hindi. It's just me, Bang Hindi.
03:35 I downloaded it last night.
03:37 Wow.
03:37 Good thing you did.
03:39 So you're in.
03:39 Yes, and definitely, we have restrictions.
03:43 So, number one is you need to be 18 years old and above
03:47 so that we can't include those who are too old.
03:51 And then, of course, we have a system in place in our registration to verify that you're the one playing.
03:59 You have to submit proof of identification because, number one,
04:02 the prize that you're given here in the Unity League is big.
04:06 So, millions of pesos.
04:08 That's right, sir. Can you mention how much?
04:11 [no audio]
04:20 The Presidential Speaker of the Maldives, Kong Zaldi,
04:24 it was actually made into 3.5 million pesos.
04:27 3.5 million pesos is what a winner gets?
04:30 No, that's the total prize pool.
04:32 Initially, it was around 1 million pesos.
04:35 And yesterday, the Speaker was happy that they made it to 3.5 million.
04:41 So, that's really one of the best.
04:44 And to consider, this is an amateur tournament,
04:47 so, the competition is fair here.
04:48 There are no professionals.
04:50 No professionals.
04:51 You can't join because, number one, you're a student.
04:53 You can be trained.
04:53 Because I heard there are coaches for this.
04:56 Yes, yes.
04:57 Players, they seek coaches so that they can be better in the game.
05:02 The best thing we can say is that esports is really good for the Filipinos
05:07 because you're tall, you're thin.
05:09 [no audio]
05:11 It doesn't matter.
05:12 When it comes to legends, you just need your skill and internet.
05:15 You need a good internet connection.
05:17 That's the only thing that you need to make sure.
05:20 Especially for the Visayas, Mindanao,
05:22 sometimes, there are problems with connectivity.
05:26 Definitely, together with the help of some of the government agencies like DICT,
05:32 they pledged to commit to help and make sure that when the tournament starts,
05:37 the internet is good so that the kids' experience is good.
05:41 Sir, can you explain the timeline of the first season of Unity League?
05:46 What are the qualifiers before joining Team Seaball?
05:50 So, definitely, we have five regional qualifiers.
05:54 So, we thought of NCR, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
06:00 Then, basically, what will happen is that they will have different regional tournaments.
06:04 So, you have to win the regional tournaments.
06:07 If you win, first or second, you will fly to Manila for the grand finals.
06:12 So, those five teams, the top two,
06:15 if they win, they will fight in the grand finals.
06:19 And, of course, they will get the share of the 3.5 million.
06:22 So, that's it. And then, definitely, if you are the champion,
06:26 you have a chance to try out in our national team, which is what we call Team Seaball.
06:32 Team Seaball is the best in gold medals in SEA Games.
06:37 The ones who win millions of dollars, is that it?
06:39 Yes, yes, they are the ones who win.
06:41 Right? Familiar.
06:42 Can you imagine?
06:43 Well, very exciting.
06:45 Clarice, will we be able to watch this live on television?
06:49 And, will we have a chance to watch this live audience,
06:53 especially those who have witnessed the qualifying rounds,
06:57 especially the championship?
06:59 Definitely, the plans for Unity League is number one.
07:03 It will be broadcasted on Free TV, on PTV.
07:05 Here on PTV4?
07:06 Yes, on PTV4.
07:08 And then, of course, as we move forward,
07:11 we are still making sure of the logistics.
07:14 Because, people want to support their teams.
07:18 The regional teams that will enter the grand finals.
07:21 So, as of the moment, initially, they will be able to watch it on TV.
07:25 As for the live, it's subject for finalization.
07:29 So, in other talks,
07:33 we heard some gossip that there will be a facility
07:38 for the training and training of e-sports athletes in our country.
07:46 Your gossip is right.
07:48 It's true.
07:49 We are working closely with PSC,
07:53 together with Chairman Bachman,
07:55 on how to actually create those e-sports facilities.
08:00 Because, we can see that we are winning medals.
08:03 And, one of the challenges of our athletes is
08:07 that they don't have a training facility.
08:09 Usually, our training facilities are in corporate teams,
08:14 or those that already have teams.
08:15 And sometimes, the Philippine e-sports organization just rents it.
08:19 It's imperative that we actually have this training facility
08:23 so that they can focus on winning other medals.
08:27 I hope that will start soon.
08:29 Maybe you can include it.
08:31 Isn't there a Clark National Sports...
08:36 Yes.
08:37 National Academy of Sports?
08:39 It's because, of course, the most important thing
08:42 when you have a training facility is internet capability.
08:46 Your internet is fast.
08:47 That's why it's super fast.
08:48 So, it's very specific what cities we can buy a facility if ever we will build it.
08:55 And, initially, it's still in Metro Manila.
08:58 Yes. Alright.
08:59 So, we still have a lot of questions to ask.
09:02 Especially, this one.
09:03 The Philippines has won in e-sports a total prize money of 20 million US dollars
09:09 or 1.1 billion pesos.
09:11 That's the total...
09:13 Yeah, that's the total prize.
09:15 Yes.
09:16 That's won by the various Filipino gamers.
09:18 Because, we're not only good at mobile, we're also good at PC.
09:22 Personal PC.
09:23 So, it's fast.
09:25 It's really amazing.
09:26 The prizes are really amazing.
09:29 That's our training today, okay?
09:30 Yes.
09:31 So, just a quick message for our aspiring e-sports athletes in the country.
09:37 Hello to all of you.
09:39 Hopefully, you joined the Unity League for amateurs and those who want to try how to become a professional.
09:46 Currently, the registration will open.
09:48 So, you can actually look for facebook.com/unityleaguephilippines.
09:53 The mechanics and the method to join are there.
09:57 And, hopefully, you'll win.
09:59 Good luck.
10:00 Thank you very much for your time, Sir Marlon Marcello,
10:05 Executive Director of the Philippine e-sports organization.
10:08 Thank you, sir.
10:09 Thank you.
10:10 Thank you.
10:10 Thank you.