From SEA Games 2017 to MSC 2022: OFW waves flag in Malaysia to support PH Teams

With Philippine professional teams vying for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asian Cup (MSC) 2022 crown on foreign soil, an unlikely cheer from an Overseas Filipino Worker was heard the loudest.

In a random stroke of luck, Sherry Ann Bonoan, a domestic helper in Malaysia for 13 years, found herself waving the Philippine flag cheering on teams that she herself hadn't heard about until her sister invited her to watch the MSC earlier this month.

What's even more amazing about the flag she brought is its rich history in competitive sports, having been used to cheer on Filipino athletes during the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games.

"Noon pa lang, napaka-supportive ko na sa sports. Lalo na nung SEA Games 2017. Pumupumunta ako dito para sumuport sa kanila (Philippine athletes). Ngayon ito [MLBB] naman. Suportado ko pa rin sila kahit hindi ako naglalaro masyado," said Sherry.

("Even before, I have been very supportive of sports. Especially in SEA Games 2017. I came here to support them [Philippine athletes]. Now, I came for this [MLBB]. I support them even though I don't play much.")

Photo: John Edison Ubaldo

Sherry's sister, Julia Ann, had the idea to try and see if they can possibly watch the MSC after arriving in Malaysia last June 4 to explore the country. She admitted that she didn't expect to be a witness to this momentous event in the esports scene.

"Naglalaro po ako sa Philippines server tapos nung nandito na ako sa Malaysia, sabi ng friend ko 'Bakit di ka manood ng MSC bukas?' tapos sinabi ko sa ate ko," Julia Ann said.

"Nagpunta kami dito (nung Sunday). Nag-inquire about sa ticket. Sakto nakausap namin 'yung owner ng Orange Esports."

("I play in the Philippines server and when I arrived here in Malaysia, my friend told me, 'Why don't you watch MSC tomorrow?' Then I told my sister about it. We went here on Sunday. We inquired about the ticket. It so happened that we talked to the owner of Orange Esports.")

Mixed with luck and the goodness of Orange Esports owner Ian Tan, the sisters were able to acquire tickets to watch the start of the playoff games. Julia recalled how Tan asked them during their Sunday visit if they were interested in taking pictures with the team. Not letting this rare chance slip by, she happily agreed.

"After nun, siya nag-suggest na free tickets tapos nagbigay ng jacket," Julia continued.

("After that, he suggested that they would give the tickets for free and they also gave us jackets.")

She happily flexed the Orange Esports jacket given to her by the team owner and cheered on not only the Philippine teams but also the Malaysian squads. 

But their euphoria did not end there as RSG Philippines jungler Jonard Cedrix "Demonkite" Caranto gave away his official jersey to Sherry after they successfully defeated Myanmar's Falcon Esports.

"Si Demonkite, binigyan niya nang personal 'yung anak ko ng jersey (niya). Kaya tuwang-tuwa ako. Meron na siyang souvenir."

("Demonkite gave his personal jersey to my child. I was so happy to have a souvenir.")

Despite being not an MLBB player or fan, Sherry enjoyed the experience and had new realizations to boot.

"Sa totoo lang first time ko manood ng Mobile Legends na ganito na nakikita mo kung paano sila naglalaro. Ang ganda pala. Kasi sa phone ang liit, parang hindi siya masyadong exciting.  Pag dito pala napakalaki, nae-excite ka na. Nagche-cheer ka. Nakikita mo na kung paano sila naglalaban talaga."

("To be honest, it's my first time watching Mobile Legends like this, where you can see how they really play. I had no idea it was so good. In the phone, it's so small, it's not that exciting. But here, it's huge, so you will get excited. You will cheer. You can see how they really fight.")

—MGP, GMA News