From left to right: Atty. Francisco J. Rivera, Chairman of the Games and Amusements Board, Lee Viloria, PH Esports Head of Business Development and Partnerships at MOONTON Games, Marie Narvaso-Amistad, PH Esports Head of League Operations at MOONTON Games, Maeca Cabral, Broadcast and Production Director at CBZN Corporation, Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women, and Atty. Manuel S. Plaza III, Commissioner at the Games and Amusements Board.
MOONTON Games, the international developer and publisher of the globally hit multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), received the Paragon Award at the 3rd Women in Professional Sports Awards held last night, 26 September, at Okada Manila. With the theme, "FILIPINAS: Perlas ng Silangan, Tanglaw ng Kinabukasan" ("FILIPINAS: Pearl of the Orient, Light of the Future"), the event celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements in professional sports in the Philippines.
Presented by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Paragon Award was bestowed upon MOONTON Games for its outstanding participation in sports and significant contributions to the growth of the female esports ecosystem in the country. MOONTON Games was the lone game developer and publisher awarded during the celebration.
"Congratulations to MOONTON Games. Your achievement is well-recognized, and may you continue what you're doing for women in esports. You are contributing greatly to the development of esports in the country. We appreciate your efforts to operate and work with the Games and Amusements Board for the advancement of esports in the country," said Atty. Francisco J. Rivera, Chairman of the Games and Amusements Board.
Lee Viloria, PH Esports Head of Business Development and Partnerships, said, "At MOONTON Games, our commitment has always been to create a pathway to an inclusive esports ecosystem. We thank the Games and Amusements Board for recognizing our initiatives to create meaningful opportunities for women in esports. We aim to empower female players to showcase their talent on the biggest stages and to build a more inclusive and diverse esports ecosystem in the Philippines. This recognition inspires us to continue supporting women as they take their rightful place in shaping the future of esports."
This year, the company launched Athena League, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering women who want to be part of the professional MLBB esports scene.
The Athena League served as the official qualifier for the MLBB Women's Invitational (MWI), the most prestigious MLBB esports tournament for female athletes featured in the Esports World Cup last July in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Representing the Philippines, Team Liquid PH and NAVI PH delivered impressive performances, securing 4th and 5th place finishes, respectively.
Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director at the Philippine Esports Organization, said, "The Philippine Esports Organization extends our warmest and sincerest congratulations on receiving the prestigious Paragon Award for Championing Women in Esports. This recognition truly highlights your exceptional dedication and tireless efforts in nurturing a more inclusive and supportive environment for women within the esports community."
"MOONTON Games stands out as one of the few publishers that has genuinely succeeded in engaging our talented women gamers, consistently providing them with incredible opportunities to showcase their skills and talents both locally and on the international stage. Your commitment is truly inspiring and makes a significant difference. PESO celebrates wholeheartedly with you for this incredibly well-deserved achievement," Marcelo added.
The Philippines is set to field its SIBOL MLBB Female Team at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Bangkok, Thailand. The roster features NAVI PH's core five—Gwyneth Diagon (PHI.Diagon), Kaye Alpuerto (PHI.Alpuerto), Rica Amores (PHI.Amores), Sheen Perez (PHI.Shinoa), and Mery Vivero (PHI.Vivero)—led by coach Salman Macarambon (PHI.Macarambon). Team Liquid PH's Gold Laner, Clarisse Nicole Cordova (PHI.Cordova), strengthens the lineup as the team's sixth player.
