The gaming community in the Philippines proved to be a proactive force for good last November, as influencers, streamers, and esports organizations banded together to raise funds for the victims of successive super typhoons Rolly, Siony, and Ulysses.
Major gaming personalities such as Biancake, and Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao dedicated streams to charity.
Choox TV managed to raise over US$2,000 for relief operations, managing to assist over 2,500 individuals in Marikina, a heavily affected region in Metro Manila.
Some content creators held back from streaming, instead encouraging netizens to keep sharing information for donation drives and relevant media to funnel online traffic to relief operations.
- 40 celebrities and streamers will compete in Riot’s Wild Rift Pentaboom Showdown charity tournament
- Superstar rapper Wiz Khalifa announces gaming livestream for charity
Tier One talent Ghost Wrecker raised over US$20,000 or one million Philippine pesos worth of donations, encouraging his followers to donate. “Even one cent can make a huge difference!” he wrote, even volunteering at the evacuation centers himself.
In a Facebook post, he announced that about US$3,400 had been allotted for medical supplies, about US$15,000 to relief goods, and about US$2,000 to supply relief and rescue operations with gas, electricity, equipment, and sanitation services.
Several Filipino celebrities also took to gaming to fund-raise for the victims of the typhoon. Actor Alden Richards raised over US$4,000 while streaming Mobile Legends, and former beauty queen Megan Young hosted an Among Us stream, donating all Facebook stars to her chosen charity.
Omega Esports hosted a tournament with a prize pool for donation to the winning team’s chosen charity. Participating teams included Bren Esports, Cignal Ultra, Blacklist International, Aura PH, ONIC PH, Nexplay Solid, and Team Payaman. Franchise esports league The Nationals dedicated their matches to charity during the typhoon weekend, rallying viewers to donate for the benefit of typhoon victims in regional areas. The local Tekken scene also held a community tournament, with all proceeds being donated to relief operations.
Several MPL Invitational broadcast talents, including Butters and Midnight, also lent a helping hand in purchasing groceries for evacuees. The caster outreach, led by shoutcaster Shin Boo Ponferrada, distributed relief goods to affected areas. Butters mentioned he was overwhelmed with the donations that came in and the stories behind them.
“No donation is too small,” said MPLI shoutcaster Butters, in their video documenting their operation. “Someone even donated a dollar that he was supposed buy a Mobile Legends skin with! It’s not about the amount, it’s about the fact that you put others before yourself in this time of need.”
READ MORE: The ONE Esports MPL Invitational will bring together the best MLBB talent in SEA
