V33Wise Reacts to a Photo of Their Very Humble Beginnings
It is common knowledge among esports insiders that nearly all of the Philippines’ most powerful pro players had very humble beginnings. That includes Royal Duo and Hall of Legends inductees Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna and Danerie James (DJ) “Wise” Del Rosario.
In an exclusive interview with Esquire Philippines, the duo reacted to an old photo of their humble beginnings when they were just starting out in 2019. It was revealed that the whole team slept inside one room—the one you see in the photo—where the five players shared just two bunk beds.
“Noong kapanahunan namin, sobrang swerte niyo na kapag may ganyang boot camp noon,” V33 tells Esquire.
(“Back in those days, you were very lucky if you had a boot camp like that.”)
"I will never forget this, this is one of the best moments in my pro-career," said OhMyV33nus in Filipino.
Esquire Philippines Features Editor Abo Limos Showing V33Wise an Old Photo from Their Humble Beginnings
The photo, which you can see below, was provided to Esquire by Carlo Giron, who is the former team manager of Dream High.
@abolimos V33Wise Reacts to a Photo of Their Humble Beginnings #mplphilippines #blacklistinternational #v33wise #lakasna10to ? original sound - Abo Limos
Back in the early seasons of the Mobile Legends Professional League or MPL, esports was an industry that was nearly unheard of in the Philippines. The industry boomed in 2020 during the pandemic and has remained one of the world’s most vibrant spots in esports.
Aside from the Royal Duo V33Wise, also included in the photo are John Michael “Zico” Dizon, Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy, and Gerald “Dlar” Trinchera, all of whom have moved overseas where they added to the reputation of Filipinos as the world’s most formidable MPL players.
Zico left the Philippines’ Nexplay Esports for Cambodia’s Burn x Flash. He steered his team to a first-time championship in the MPL KH Autumn Split 2022, securing a slot in the M-series World Championship.
Baloy also went overseas to Indonesia where he led Geek Fam—Indonesia’s worst-performing team—to a franchise-best performance this season.
Dlar, also in Indonesia, was imported by EVOS Legends to play at the MPL Indonesia. Considered one of the world’s strongest Exp Laners, Dlar’s sudden demotion to the MPL Developmental League proved catastrophic for EVOS Legends, which ended up in bottom place in Indonesia’s MPL.
Meanwhile, V33nus and Wise were recently named among the Wielders of Soft Power in Esquire’s 100 Most Powerful People in the Philippines. On October 23, the two were also inducted in the first iteration of MPL Hall of Legends, a once-in-ten-season recognition of the country’s most talented and renowned players who have contributed to the game and league’s prestige and legacy.
Watch V33Wise’s reaction to their old photo below.
@abolimos V33Wise Reacts to a Photo of Their Humble Beginnings #mplphilippines #blacklistinternational #v33wise #lakasna10to ? original sound - Abo Limos
