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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider When Esports meets OPM: Janine Berdin and the changing face of MPL PH

When Esports meets OPM: Janine Berdin and the changing face of MPL PH

Published May 15, 2026 06:56 pm

For millions of Filipinos, Mobile Legends stopped being “just a game” years ago. It became a social ritual, a daily habit, and shorthand for friendship, rivalry, and collective stress — a space where local identity and competitive ambition collide in unusually intense ways.

You might be surprised to know that fans of the game come from all walks of life — students, bankers, lawyers, even singers.

Take Janine Berdin.

The singer, who rose to fame after being crowned grand champion in the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan, is a serious Mobile Legends fan. Known among players as a Hanabi main, she has reportedly climbed the ranks of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and reached the game’s leaderboards.

It is no surprise, then, that she has been tapped to perform “Palag Na ’To,” the official anthem of the country’s biggest esports competition.

This means Janine is not simply an artist lending her voice to a campaign — she actually understands both the emotional volatility of live competition and the deeply personal frustration of watching teammates ignore objectives.

“Super excited ako to finally share this song with the community,” Berdin said. “As someone who genuinely plays MLBB, this project is very personal to me; it brings together two worlds I truly love, music and gaming. I poured my heart into this track, and I hope every player and fan can feel that energy and passion. Para sa lahat ng patuloy na lumalaban, whether in rank games or on the esports stage, this is for you—Palag Na ’To!”

Berdin, who also co-wrote the track, is already regarded as one of the defining young voices in OPM, especially following the critical success of her album Lab Songs Ng Mga Tanga. But this project places her in a different cultural lane — where music is no longer just entertainment attached to gaming, but part of gaming’s emotional architecture.

“Music transforms gaming into something far more immersive; it doesn’t just accompany the action, it amplifies every emotion, heightens intensity, and turns each moment into a lasting experience,” said Enzo Valdez, Managing Director of Universal Music Group Philippines. “We’re incredibly excited about this partnership and look forward to building deeper collaborations with UMG artists that will keep pushing culture forward and connecting with fans in bold, new ways.”

The partnership also signals a broader shift in how esports presents itself.

The Season 17 MPL PH Playoffs, traditionally centered on competition alone, will now feature live performances from rising OPM artists integrated directly into the event experience — both at the MPL PH Arena and the larger MPL Festival. The result is something closer to a hybrid entertainment platform, equal parts tournament, concert, and cultural gathering.

“As MPL Philippines enters its 17th season, showcasing Filipino excellence in esports, and MLBB celebrates its 10th year shaping Filipino gaming culture, this collaboration celebrates the journey of MPL Philippines and the community that has grown with it,” said Jane Camille Dela Cruz, Head of Marketing for Esports, Philippines at MOONTON Games. (Ian Ureta)

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