The Philippine esports community was left in shock and grief after learning of the passing of Chad Devs, former team manager of Nexplay EVOS.
“Chad, former Nexplay EVOS boot camp manager, is one of the well-known figures in the MPL scene who acted as an older brother to players,” wrote MPL Philippines in a tribute.
Who was Charles Dave Dela Pena, aka Chad Devs?
In the eyes of his friends, Chad was generous with his time and affection. He was also stubborn, sensitive to others’ feelings, and ambitious. It was his dream to work in esports.
“Sobrang love niya and work niya,” Allan Catu, former talent manager at Nexplay, tells SPIN.ph. Catu was one of the people who helped Chad achieve his dream of working for an MPL team. “One time, pinrank namin siya ni Ems sa boot camp. Kunwari inalis ko siya sa work. Umiyak,” recalls Catu.
Milly Dolor, who is one of Chad’s best friends in esports, recalls how Chad was always aware of how people surrounding him were feeling. “He was always one call away. He was such a good listener. Stubborn minsan, pero ambitious. Ayaw niyang nalulungkot ka, palagi ka niyang kinukumusta.”
As boot camp manager in Nexplay, Chad did more than manage the upkeep of the house. He also helped marshal and motivate the players under his care.
“Sobrang bait ni Chad,” Micophobia tells SPIN. “Napakasipag, tapos masarap kasama kasi masayaing tao siya. Palabiro, at sumasabay sa mga trip,” he adds. But according to Micophobia, Chad also has a serious side that he showed whenever he needed to. “Sobrang seryosong tao rin niya kapag oras na ng seryosohan, kaya sobrang goods kasama sa trabaho si Chad.”
Arvin Recio, aka Tori, is also one of the best friends of Chad. “Totoong siya ang unang nangungumusta sayo. Makuwentong tao iyoin. Lagi kayong may pag-uusapan . Pag problema ang usapan, sobrang madami siyang maipapayo sayo,” Tori shares with SPIN. “Makulit siyang tao, parang mas makulit nga siya sa akin, kaya pag kami nagkakasama, ang ingay-ingay talaga.”
Carlo Giron, head of league operations at Dark League Studios, is also one of Chad’s best friends. “Chad was an aspiring manager when I first met him in 2020. We set up an amateur team and he asked us if he could be the manager,” Giron tells SPIN. As the new manager of the esports team, Chad worked very hard so he would not disappoint anyone.
“Sobrang accommodating kahit pagod na pagod, palagi siyang nangangamusta. At saka siya palagi ang mag-i-initiate ng conversation kahit hindi mo siya ka-close," said Giron.
"Ayaw niyang may masasabi ang ibang tao tungkol sa kanya. Ayaw niyang mapahiya, at hirap na hirap siyang tumanggi sa iyo,” Giron added.
Giron also revealed that Chad is a huge fan of Game of Thrones.
"Pareho kaming mahilig sa Game of Thrones! Iyong anak niya, ipinangalan niya sa favorite characters niya sa Game of Thrones: Jon Khal Tyrion." Chad's favorite characters in the hit HBO series were Jon Snow, Khal Drogo, and Tyrion Lannister.
Esports superstar Renejay Barcarse is also one of the closest friends of Chad ever since they worked together in Nexplay EVOS. It was Chad who would always accompany Renejay whenever the latter had projects or shoots.
“Tuwing kasama kita, lagi lang tayo nag aasaran na parang wala kang problema. Mami-miss kita ka asaran bro mami-miss din kita kasi ikaw sumasama lagi sa akin dati tuwing may shoot ako. Ikaw yung manager na kasama ko. Salamat sa lahat ng tulong at sa mga advice. Salamat sa pag manage sa amin noong Season 10 bro, naging makulit man kami o napainit ulo mo, pasensya na. Mami-miss ka namin bro, mahal kita. Rest in peace,” wrote Renejay on Facebook.
To his friends and colleagues, Chad was a truly selfless person who would put their welfare before his own.
“Talagang totoong yayakapin ka muna niya at kukumustahin tuwing magkikita kayo,” Giron attests.
As a friend of Chad, this writer can also attest to how Chad made you feel comfortable. Chad made it easier to work with his team because of how he would arrange and schedule interviews with players and even Akosi Dogie. He was always thinking about your convenience.
“Kinumusta niya ako four days before he passed. Out of the blue lang,” said Chad’s friend, who wants to remain anonymous. “In the end, siya pala ang dapat kong kinumusta.”
Rest in peace, Chad.
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