Watch: PESO's Joebert Yu champions grassroots to global esports pipeline
In an exclusive interview with SiGMA Reporter Roanna Ruiz, Joebert Yu, Secretary General of the Philippine Electronic Sports Organisation (PESO), outlined the organisation’s mission to elevate esports in the Philippines through robust institutional partnerships, regulatory cooperation, and a clear pipeline for talent development, from local communities to international competition.
Strengthening legitimacy through Olympic collaboration
At the heart of PESO’s strategy is its alignment with the Philippine Olympic Committee, which recognises PESO as the national governing body for esports. This recognition, Yu explained, is a cornerstone of PESO’s mission to professionalise and legitimise esports by developing top-tier talent capable of representing the country at regional and global events such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and potentially the Olympics.
“We are trying to find the best athletes in the country, from grassroots up to the level where they can compete in events such as the SEA Games, the Asian Games, and hopefully the Olympics in the future,” Yu shared.
Balancing amateur and professional regulation
In the Philippines, the regulatory structure for esports is delineated: PESO oversees the amateur sector, while the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) is responsible for the professional scene. Despite the separate jurisdictions, Yu highlighted the strong working relationship between the two bodies.
“We work closely with GAB to ensure everything is aligned with national laws. Sometimes, we even coordinate when professional players are called to represent the country at international events,” he said.
This collaborative model ensures that both athletes and investors are protected under a unified framework, providing clarity and fostering growth across all levels of competition.
The Philippines’ regional positioning in Asia
Yu believes the Philippines is well-placed to become a leader in the Asian esports ecosystem, especially in mobile-first game titles. Citing games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honour of Kings, he pointed to the massive local following and strong performance history as indicators of the country’s potential dominance.
“We’ve already won a world championship under the International Esports Federation. We hope to solidify and maintain that position in the future,” he noted.
Grassroots as the foundation of national success
PESO’s long-term vision places significant emphasis on grassroots development. According to Yu, PESO has already piloted various initiatives, including open qualifiers and partnerships with local organisations to scout talent from remote provinces and cities.
“We’ve seen great athletes emerge from small cities. We aim to connect with more local bodies to expand these opportunities,” he said.
Yu revealed that PESO’s executive team is exploring more structured outreach programmes to engage untapped talent and offer them pathways into national teams.
An inclusive and institutional future
As PESO deepens its relationships with both governmental bodies and community-level organisations, its vision becomes clear: to establish an inclusive, well-regulated, and globally competitive esports ecosystem for the Philippines. With a structured pathway for talent and a collaborative approach to regulation, the country is poised not only to compete but to lead.
