Online gamer pushes e-sports to boost the local IT industry

CEBU, Philippines - A 26-year old online gamer and a member of the Cebu Centennial Lions Club recently conducted a fundraising tournament that is aimed to enhance the information technology industry in the Philippines, improve the computer access of schools in Cebu and to promote e-sports as a “real” sport in the country.

The non-government organization, in cooperation with the Association of Computer Resellers in Cebu, Gamevolution eSports, Y101 and Cheap Rigs and iStorya.net, held a two-day fundraising tournament dubbed as “E-Sports Tournament for a Cause” last March 1 and 2 at Parkmall Cebu.

Head organizer Edelaine Hayco who started to love playing online games since she was 7 aspired for a paradigm shift on the negative perception of the society on e-sports.

Aside from passion on online games, she noted that getting involved in e-sports entails discipline, responsibility and guidance.

She said that the creative project is intended to uphold e-sports while raising funds to benefit school children and contribute to the development of the local IT industry.

She added that 100 percent of the proceeds shall be donated to 30 elementary and high school public schools as identified by the Department of Education in impoverished areas in Cebu.

Each school, she said, will receive one computer to provide an opportunity for students to see, examine and use a computer.

She cited that the donations will be turned over within the next three months before the school year starts.

The event featured the Defense of the Ancients (DotA) Tournament and Warcraft III which were played by 32 teams with 5 to 6 members.

A volunteer computer entertainment group lent 42 computers that were used during the tournament.

With P200 as registration fee per head, Hayco said that a total of 180 e-sports enthusiasts aged from 12 years old above participated the fundraising event. 

The top three winning teams received P10,000, P5,000 and P3,000 as prizes with WD backpacks and tumblers.  (FREEMAN)