Following a thorough selection process, the Philippines first Esports Merit Scholars were revealed at the annual AcadArena Awards show on February 14, 2021.
In partnership with Globe, the awards show is a homage to the hard work and dedication that AcadArena’s partnered schools have put in to build campus esports within the Philippines. On top of the scholarships, top performing campus esports clubs, student leaders and student athletes were also recognized.
In the first-ever AcadArena Awards. The awards are divided based on how votes are decided: Community Selection and Closed Selection.
Community Selection gives those in campus esports the opportunity to vote for their preferred nominees. Meanwhile, Closed Selection – which includes the scholarships — has a dedicated panel that deliberates those deserving for the awards. Initial nominees for the scholarships were done through an application process.
Each of the awards provide the winning student or organization with a campus grant to use in their various projects. On the other hand, the scholarships for both Competitors and Student-Leaders award up to 50% of their recipients’ tuition fees for the Silver Award and up to 100% of their tuition for the Gold Award. A need-based grant was also awarded to students in need who applied for it, which ranged from PHP 25,000 to PHP 50,000.
Closed Selection
G.A.M.E Scholar Awardees
Awarded to students based on silver/gold selection.Leadership
Kathlyn Marie Lim of University of San Agustin’s Golden Eagles
CJ Sean Lao of Unversity of San Agustin’s Golden Eagles
Gray Giron of Mapua University’s Mapua Gaming Society
John Paolo Riosa of Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Gaming
Competitive
Dean Hans “Yobhel” Nucum of Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Gaming
Player, League of LegendsPatrick “dy/dx” Higa of Malayan Colleges Laguna’s Malayan Warlock
Player, Mobile Legends: Bang BangJames “E T Ø M A K” Martinez of Malayan Colleges Laguna’s Malayan Warlock
Player, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Family Good Game Grant Awardees.
Awarded to students. One student gets a laptop from Acer.Carlo G. Sibal of Holy Angel University’s Valiant Esports Club
Manager, Mobile Legends: Bang BangJason “Prophecy” Sicat of Holy Angel University’s Valiant Esports Club
Player, Valorant
School Spirit Award
Awarded to the organization with the best marketing/content creation efforts relevant to their campus esports community.Valiant Esports Club, Holy Angel University (2020 Summer & 2020 Autumn)
Team Spirit Award
Awarded to the organization with the best competitive activity in AcadArena tournaments.Viridis Arcus, De La Salle University
Alumni Service Award
Awarded to graduated student/s of an Alliance organization that made a significant contribution to their campus community.Gerard Villaluz of Ateneo de Manila University
Brand Director, Loyola Gaming
Overall Champion
2020 Summer
Teletigers, University of Sto. Tomas
2020 Autumn
Valiant Esports Club, Holy Angel University
Community Selection
Overall Best Alliance Organization
A model Alliance organization that was able to rally their campus community through a show of consistency and quality in their efforts.Holy Angel University, Valiant Esports Club
Breakout Organization of the Year
An organization who has only joined within the last wave who has shown great progress and potential.Far Eastern-University Manila, Tamaraws FX
Student Esports Athlete of the Year
A model student gamer who has shown great achievement and contribution in campus esports.Jonathan “Tan Tan” Madelo of Malayan Colleges Laguna’s Malayan Warlocks, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Student Leader of the Year
A model student leader who has shown great achievement and contribution in campus esports.Jan Robert Alvarez of Holy Angel University
President, Valiant Esports Club
Project of the Year
A flagship project organized by an Alliance member organization that made significant impact to the campus esports/gaming community.UST Minecraft, University of Sto. Tomas’ Teletigers
“The awards and the scholarship is our way of giving back to the passionate student gaming community in the Philippines,” said AcadArena CEO Ariane Lim. “Good work should always be recognized, especially if it’s by the students who will be the industry leaders of tomorrow.”
The AcadArena Awards is exclusive to partnered schools within the AcadArena Alliance program. The Alliance is AcadArena’s student org support system and nationwide network of schools that gives students resources and guidance to build their campus esports program.
Follow AcadArena on Facebook and Twitter for their plans for the upcoming year. Learn more about their Alliance program and join their bid to strengthen campus esports within the country.