Gary G. Libby, VP for Info Tech and Pre-Press of Inquirer, gives an Inquirer shirt to Brian Lim, president of the Philippine eSports Organization (PeSO) symbolizing the 1st eSports Asia Championship at SM Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/ CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
INQUIRER.net yesterday sealed its partnership with the country’s e-Sports organization by unveiling a website for video game enthusiasts.
The website esports.inquirer.net contains news, related topics and updates of the fast-growing community and the Philippine e-Sports Organization (Peso). A forum page also allows players to interact with each other.
“We are very proud to be a partner. It’s a great help for our advocacy to promote e-Sports in the Philippines,” said Tryke Gutierrez, Peso executive director.
According to Gutierrez, the Philippines has 14 million computer gamers but only 20 percent are e-Sports enthusiasts.
“We believe in the mission of PESO especially their aim to uplift the image of computer gaming, said Garry Libby, vice president for Infotech of the Inquirer.
“I know that they have a sincere advocacy in turning the usual computer gaming into a different culture where competitiveness and discipline are taught. They are also here to regulate e-Sports in the country.”
PESO’s official website was unveiled after the opening ceremonies of the first Asian Championship of the International e-Sports Federation World Championships (IeSF) 2014 held in SM Cebu in Cebu City.
In the opening ceremony, Jung Hyun Hun of Korea, IESF president, thanked organizers for mounting the two-day tournament, a first for the Philippines and Asia.
“This is the time to introduce the new age of digital gaming,” Hun said.
He was joined by Stephen Hontiveros, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Executive director, who compared e-Sports to chess.
“It’s a mental game and has grown into a sport. I hope this will be included in the next ASEAN Games,” he said.
IESF also donated computer sets to the Cebu City Sports Commission to encourage the growth of video gaming among the youth.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella and sports commission chairman Edward Hayco attended the ceremony.
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