We're taking a look at three different countries leading up to the 2024 National Championships, talking to players, local game stores, and content creators. Join us as we travel the globe to meet Flesh and Blood fans and hear their stories. This week we land in the Philippines!
Lush forests, exotic wildlife, and dreamy beaches - the Philippines will make you feel like you've truly stepped into paradise.
With a population of more than 115 million, the Philippines consists more than 7,000 islands, many of which have yet to be named. Filipinos love self-expression, whether it's through singing, boxing, or even selfies, being ranked as the world's most enthusiastic selfie-takers!
Flesh and Blood officially launched in the Philippines in 2021. Passion for the game runs deep, with Road to Nationals, Skirmishes, and even Armories clocking upwards of 60 players! The Philippines hosted its first Battle Hardened in Manila earlier this year, with more than 170 players making it a roaring success.
We're delighted to be bringing the Philippines its first ever Calling in Manila later this year, but for now, let's hear from some local legends about the upcoming National Championship!
Player: Justin Cu
How did you discover Flesh and Blood?
I discovered Flesh and Blood through the YouTube algorithm! I had recently gotten back into trading card games and wasn't enjoying the current one I was playing. I got intrigued by Flesh and Blood and ended up playing at a Welcome Event at a store after playing there for a different game. Went to my first Armory a month later after some push from some friends and really enjoyed the back and forth pacing and the consistency of the game.
I think the thing that hooks you the most into competing is when you do pretty well at a tournament but know you could've done better, and that's exactly what happened to me during my first Road to Nationals season (Outsiders).
Who is your favourite hero?
I guess I have two favorite heroes. My more obvious favourite is Azalea. I remember the first time I sleeved her up and brought her to an Armory. The branching decision paths with unknown information made the deck so interesting to play. Just taking your game actions and playing every hand was so much fun! She got me my biggest win and a moment I'll never forget.
My other favorite is Bravo. I started Classic Constructed with him because he was cheap to build, but ended up really enjoying the strategy behind the hero. I love that when you play Bravo, you can consistently express your skill through clear strategic understanding of matchups, and responding correctly to what your opponent is doing.
I'm definitely gonna shed more than a tear when either of them hit Living Legend.
How are you feeling about the upcoming Philippines National Championship?
Very very nervous as with every tournament. Our player cap getting increased was awesome, the scene has grown so much more since last year and I'm glad we got the player cap upgrade to reflect that.
The local scene has also improved a lot! Existing players got stronger and there are a lot of new participants that are clearly very strong for how long they've been playing the game. I hope I do well enough to qualify for World Championship: Osaka!
Who will win the Philippines National Championship?
I'm sure the winner will be somebody deserving and somebody who put in the work to become the National Champion. Some names I'd like to recognize are Kevin Octavio, who got 2nd place last year, Andre See, who's been doing consistently well with a recent Top 16 at Calling: Tokyo, and Carlo Ople, who's done consistently well, with real skill camouflaged by 'luck' and a carefree attitude.
There's a lot of other players I could name but I'd be lying if I didn't say I want the winner to be me! I was so close last time and I want it this time!
What is your favourite thing about playing Flesh and Blood in the Philippines?
My favourite thing is definitely the community. Everybody is so friendly, and while we all have our different smaller communities, it's always a good time when everybody plays with each other at bigger tournaments like Road to Nationals, Pro Quests, etc.
It was such an awesome experience during Battle Hardened: Manila, seeing all the different shop communities come together to celebrate the Filipino Flesh and Blood community. I look forward to experiencing that again and more at the National Championship and Calling: Manila!
Local Game Store: Scry Games
How did you discover Flesh and Blood?
Ivan Klaric introduced us to Flesh and Blood in the Philippines back in March 2020. We tried the game and fell in love with it.
What is the local Flesh and Blood community like?
The local Flesh and Blood community is very warm and accommodating.
How are you feeling about the upcoming Philippines National Championship?
Very excited. They say the third time's the charm. We hosted the last two Philippines National Championships in 2022 and 2023.
What format do players in the Philippines enjoy most?
Classic Constructed is the preferred format here.
What has been your favourite Flesh and Blood event in the Philippines so far?
Our very first Pro Quest in the Philippines. A very nostalgic event! It reflects the hardship of promoting the game during pandemic times, especially when there were lots of non-believers. But we fought hard to promote Flesh and Blood in the Philippines!
Content Creator: Carlo Ople
How did you discover Flesh and Blood?
I love opening boxes and it just so happened the first box of Flesh and Blood I opened got me hooked. It was an Outsiders booster box and the very first pack I opened had a Marvel Codex of Frailty, haha! I still have that card with me today.
Which booster set is your favourite?
Before Part the Mistveil, it would definitely be Tales of Aria. Briar was my first hero and is still my favourite among all the heroes in the game. There's something fresh about the concept of Elemental Runeblades and her card-pooland playstyle is right up my alley.
In terms of current, Part the Mistveil is just bonkers good. I love how each character was designed from a competitive POV. They offer value in different ways which is amazing to look at when you go deep into them. The flavour of each hero is also incredible and can even get better with development of the lore of the game. Lastly, all the surprises, from the gold packs, Extended Arts, and others just made it more delightful. Part the Mistveil is built to surprise and delight the community, which I love 100%.
How are you feeling about the upcoming Philippines National Championship?
Nervous AF because I don't know how the new heroes will affect the meta, haha! But I am also excited because we got the upgraded player cap for our National Championship which just means the event will be bigger and even more competitive! I'm looking forward to doing a lot of Draft reps to get an advantage.
What has been the most exciting moment of 2024 so far?
For me it's just travelling the world and playing the game. That's the aspect of Flesh and Blood that resonates with me the most. I went to World Championship: Barcelona, Pro Tour: Los Angeles, World Premiere: Part the Mistveil in Tokyo, and I have several trips lined up, including Pro Tour: Amsterdam, and of course, World Championship: Osaka.
There's no singular moment yet that stands out above the rest, but maybe something mind-boggling (like winning haha) will happen in the next few events that I will join.
What's your message to players competing in the Philippines National Championship?
I think the throwaway answer here is to just say "enjoy it and don't feel pressure" but I'll go the other route. Bring your best game to the event. Flesh and Blood, to me at least, is competitive at the very core. To get the most out of the game, you need to compete, and you need to go at it hard. Tighten your match-ups in Classic Constructed (practice against unfamiliar or bad match-ups) and get as many Draft reps as you can. Let's leave it out all on the floor on that day. May the best competitor WIN!
