Pinoy Pride in Dota 2: The Stars Who Carry Our Flag

The Philippines has always been a proud battleground for Dota 2. In fact, esports gaming and mobile gaming have become  so ingrained in the Filipino youth culture, from cellphones to internet cafes and now, around the world. Thanks to the Filipino players we’re covering in this article (who are just a few among many others), the Philippines is on the map. 

Filipinos feel a great sense of community pride when a fellow Pinoy (or anyone with the slightest Filipino blood in them, really) receives international recognition. Part of that is the entertainment factor, but the bigger part is our love for an inspirational story of sacrifice, discipline, and resilience. Let’s take a closer look into the lifestyle and journeys of some of the most notable Filipino Dota 2 professionals.

Carlo “Kuku” Palad: The Fearless Veteran Captain 

For Kuku, Dota 2 became the start of making his dreams of a better future a reality. It was never an easy journey, but he learnt and grew from every defeat. It was this drive and growth that led him to rise up in the ranks. Perhaps one of the most admirable things about this fearless leader is how he was always able to hold his head up high despite all of the criticisms and setbacks. 

Since then, he has gone on to lead powerhouse teams like TNC and Geek Fam, making all of his sleepless nights worth it. As the breadwinner of his family, he knows that each sacrifice he makes is just one step further on the path to a great future for himself and for his family. Thanks to Kuku, young fans have someone to look up to.

Djardel “DJ” Mampusti: The Support Legend 

DJ’s path to international acclaim had very humble beginnings; he even made the immense sacrifice of giving up his higher education in order to fully commit to a future that he had absolutely no certainty in. Thankfully, he was always fully supported by his family and that, along with his unwavering perseverance, propelled him to the top of the esports ranks. 

There is an old Filipino adage: “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan”. It speaks of looking back to where we came from in order to reach our destination.  Today, DJ is the embodiment of that. Despite the rigorous training and huge international success, he has remained modest and continues to credit his family and community back home. 

DJ’s stellar performances and reputation for support plays for his teammates (especially during his time with Fnatic) has made him practically legendary in the esports world. 

Abed “Abed” Yusop: The Historical Mid-Lane Genius 

Abed made esports history by becoming the first player in the world to reach both 10,000 (accomplished in 2017 while playing for Digital Chaos) and 11,000 MMR. For those of you fairly new to the Dota scene, MMR or Matchmaking Rank, is basically a points system in the game. Wins give you points, losses lose you points; the more points, the better of a player you are! So, becoming the very first to achieve this point rank really makes Abed a force to be reckoned with.

Abed was very young when he entered the international scene, so many had doubts about his ability to keep up with the pressures of such a demanding, competitive environment. However, his talent and dedication quickly proved them all wrong. Through the many hours of daily training, Abed was still able to balance professional and personal growth, demonstrating that anyone can reach the top, regardless of their age.

Timothy “Tims” Randrup: The Steady Hand Behind Every Victory

Tims is another Dota 2 star whose name is a name across Southeast Asian households. His daily grind is composed of scrimmages and studying — all in the name of self-improvement. On top of that, it’s also been important for him to maintain peak mental health, which is so important when you’re constantly thrown into tough, competitive environments. For Tims, his dreams of success aren’t personal, they’re world-class.

His consistent presence and plays make him a reliable anchor, and his ability to stay calm under pressure is a grounding force for his team. It’s no wonder that some of the best teams in the world are vying to bring him into the fold!

Marc Polo “Raven” Luis Fausto: The Quiet Force of Filipino Dota

Raven’s role within his teams is to carry their strategies through to the finish line which is a lot of pressure when the slightest mistake could cost their team a victory. So, Raven works extra hard to hone his craft; he rewatches matches, analyses what worked and what could have been done better, and brainstorms communication strategies with his teammates. Alongside training for in-game skills, he tries to develop practical life skills that will contribute to his plays, such as time management, discipline, and mental acuity. 

All of this has paid off — he’s now known as one of the most dependable carry players in the SEA region. His aggressive yet efficient farming playstyle makes him a constant threat in every match. 

The Next Wave of Pinoy Talent

Apart from these 5 players, there are other stars who deserve a shout: 

• Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte Santos – It’s Gabbi’s flexibility in plays and skills that has made him a fan favorite. He is able to play both carry and offlane roles – and well, which is an impressive feat.
• Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer – Yopaj is gaining a reputation as a mid-laner thanks to consistency and flashy plays, and now represents the new generation of Pinoy talent.
• Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla – The international esports scene has begun to recognise Jaunuel as a promising support player thanks to his depth and range of skill.

The Heart of Esports: Sacrifice, Family, and Filipino Spirit

These Filipino Dota 2 stars prove that greatness is possible with hard work, discipline, and heart. They have all made their fair share of sacrifices, more than most of us could ever fathom. Their bravery in embarking on an unknown journey in a young industry should also be highly commended. Their stories inspire pride in wanting to carry the Philippine flag, and triumph in turning passion into profession.

The most striking thing about these players is that they never forget their roots. They never fail to credit the dark internet cafés where they started, nor the support of their families. Their lives remind us that, like that old adage says, if we look back to our past, we can achieve our dream futures (along with hard work, teamwork, and discipline, of course!).

Keep following the inspirational Philippine esports scene, support local tournaments, and maybe one day, you’ll see the next Pinoy star rise from your own neighborhood internet café.