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    How PESO plans to further grow the esports scene in the Philippines

    There's more to PESO than just aiding Sibol
    Jul 6, 2023
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    AS THE PHILIPPINE Esports Organization (PESO) unveiled their official headquarters in the TV5 Media Center, major plans lie ahead in order to enhance the local esports scene.

    And with the support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), it was time for PESO to go into overdrive as Executive Director, Marlon Marcelo, revealed their plans to grow the local grassroots scene.

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    Strengthening the backend side of esports

    When it comes to esports, the first thing that comes to our minds are the esports athletes and personalities that take the centerstage.

    However, one may overlook the unsung heroes from the behind the scenes, namely the production crew, the referees, the league operators, etc.

    And to those curious to know more about the roles and responsibilities of these unsung heroes, PESO is willing to help individuals or organizations learn more about them.

    "Definitely, so just to give you a snapshot, the knowledge that we will be pushing is, number one, you see a lot of esports enthusiasts that wanted to have their own esports thesis. So PESO will actually help them. OJTs, yung mga gustong mag-referees, or project management, that's where we can actually put them in to give them legit esports sources," said Marcelo in the PESO press conference.

    He added: "Esports is not all about Sibol, but Sibol is the one that you see. Esports is a big industry and we wanted to put in yung mga gustong mag-referees, video editors, production heads, directors. That's another backend industry that we wanted to push."

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    Enhancing the grassroots scene

    While expounding one's knowledge with regards to the backend duties is one avenue for PESO to grow the local esports scene, there were also other projects that were shown.

    During the press conference, it was also revealed that PESO is planning a Palarong Pambansa event backed by a Marikina-based LGU. Their version of Palarong Pambansa is completely different from the one established by Jamar Montehermoso.

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    In given the magnitude of 'Palarong Pambansa,' PESO aims to begin their version as a demo event.

    In addition, the org's connection with the PSC will allow them to expound on the grassroots scene, with notable esports orgs lending their services to aid PESO.

    "Yes definitely there are plans together with PSC. We wanted to push forward strengthening the grassroots. Currently, as of the moment, wala siya sa pipeline, but that will be part of their next year's agenda if they would want to actually create that kind of program," explained the former Dota 2 shoutcaster.

    Among the orgs included would be Smart and Dark League Studios.

    "Yes so after our SEA Games and Asian Games, we will now retool and we will evaluate what kind of Sibol program we need as a national team. The grassroots program will be open to, of course, will be open nationwide. That's one great thing that our partner, Smart, is providing with their platform, the Giga Arena," started Marcelo.

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    He further elaborated: "Then we have different partnerships like Dark League Studios, where they will be actually helping us push different kinds of tournaments and I would say grassroots activities that we can actually see who are the gems in that specific areas."

    One of the key reasons why enhancing the grassroots scene is important is due to the untapped potential from regions outside Manila.

    "To be fair, previously in talking about DOTA, some of the talents actually are, the best talents are not actually in Manila, they came from Cebu. So, that's a lot of things to look forward to. At the moment kase we see Manila or NCR as the esports hub, but we don't actually believe that," Marcelo explained.

    "Everyone must have the opportunity to become a national athlete and the grassroots program will become the foundation of that."

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    Membership program

    While Smart and DLS play key roles for PESO's plans, there are also other orgs worth noting such as Tier One Entertainment, Mineski, and Gariath Concepts.

    However there will be others who would also want to answer the call to support the Filipino esports scene.

    But before doing so, PESO has introduced a rigged membership program before key players can partner and form programs with PESO. Two membership opportunities will be provided.

    "In consultation with our membership committee, of course, we have two memberships specifically. First is individual membership to PESO. So if you're someone that wanted to contribute individually, you wanted to help in doing the operations or back-end programs, we have actually plans to push it," discussed Marcelo.

    "Then we have the organizational membership wherein some of our initial members are part of, like Tier One, Mineski, Gariath, but that will be subject to significant qualifications."

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    A key benefit for orgs or individuals who wish to join PESO's esports crusade will be the vast knowledge that they'll receive.

    "So between the two, there are different sets of benefits that we will be pushing around.
    And if you become a member, you have an access to different kinds of esports knowledge, first-hand esports knowledge that you will be a part of."

    But it wouldn't be an easy task to be a member from PESO as the org will conduct due dilligence before one can proceed.

    "Because, of course, initially our membership is quite small, but we know for a fact that there are a lot of esports organizations that wanted to join us. The strategy is to establish our base of operations first so that we can actually look forward and filter all these kinds of requirements."

    Marcelo added: "Because to be honest, there are a lot of esports wannabees in the Philippines that really didn't need to filter our membership, so there are a lot of stringent requirements specifically for the organizations. But on the individual side, wala naman magiging issue."

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