A 62-year-old player named Benigno De Guzman Casayuran from Quezon Province dropped to his knees in tears after successfully snatching the historic GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC): Summer Showdown championship title and the grand prize of 5 million pesos during the 5-day online-to-onground Tongits tournament held from June 12 to 15 in Makati City.
GameZone, the country’s newest digital Tongits provider, in partnership with BingoPlus Foundation, has also extended support to the community by officially donating ₱1 million to Gems Heart Outreach Dev’t., Inc. to help the urgent needs of the Buso-Buso community in South Luzon that was devastated by the recent Super Typhoon Kristine.
The event was also made even more exciting by the performances from local artists and treats installed in the studio, all dedicated to the players.
Head-to-head smackdown in GTCC: Summer Showdown
With a prize pool of 10 million pesos, 93 elite Tongits players from across the country battled for the season title and a chance to win 5 million pesos.
Rafael Jasper Vicencio, President of Gamemaster Integrated Inc., shared in his opening remarks how the tournament became a momentous event for the Filipino Tongits game scene.
“Just last year, we launched the Tongits Champion Cup. This was a pioneering moment, the very first esports-style tournament for the traditional card game of Tongits in the Philippines. It marked a significant milestone, bringing a new level of competition and excitement to the traditional Filipino card game. Now, in 2025, we have expanded and rebranded, and we proudly present GTCC. This is more than just a tournament.”
The tournament began by qualifying in-app players through the Tongits Free Multi-Table Tournament, available on the GameZone app, which ran from April 25 to May 16.
The five-day tournament kicked off with players randomly grouped into three brackets. Participants were ranked based on total points accumulated after three 20-round games. The top players advanced to the promotional round on Day 2, facing off in upper and lower bracket groups.
On Day 3, qualified players were randomly reassigned into new groups. The top performers from the previous round proceeded to the upper bracket, while the remaining players joined the lower bracket. Players in both brackets competed for top positions, with only five from the upper bracket and four from the lower bracket advancing to the semi-finals. The competition intensified as the nine semi-finalists battled it out in the group stage during a 60-round game on Day 4.
On the final day, the season’s top three players – Ryan Dacalos from Batangas, Cesha Myed Tupas from Rizal, and Benigno De Guzman Casayuran from Quezon Province – faced off in a 100-round championship match. With a leading game standing, Casayuran outwitted the two contenders, securing his championship title for the GTCC season.
Beyond the competition, the tournament was made even more memorable by on-site treats and live performances from the Pinoy pop group Press Hit Play and Filipino female rapper Queen Monica Money, who energized the crowd with the official tournament anthem, “Liga ng mga Hari.”
A life-changing match
Benigno De Guzman Casayuran, a 62-year-old retiree from Candelaria, Quezon Province, won this year’s GTCC: Summer Showdown.
Behind this success and life-changing story is the inspiring narrative of Casayuran’s efforts to turn his and his family’s dreams into reality, with the support of his community.
In an exclusive interview, Casayuran tearfully shared why he joined GTCC, said, “…para sa pagpapa-chemotherapy ng misis ko”
Casayuran is a retiree and former fisherman who lives a simple life in a humble town in Candelaria, Quezon Province. He recalled his younger years and shared that he was a high school graduate who pursued a Commerce degree in college. However, due to financial difficulties, he was unable to finish his studies.
Years later, he got married and was blessed with two children. His eldest, a daughter, now has a family of her own, while his youngest, a son, is currently a second-year college student taking up an electrical course.
Recently, his 65-year-old wife was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—his primary reason for joining GTCC. It was a twist of fate, as the family heavily relies on the ₱2,000 monthly pension he and his wife receive. They also run a small sari-sari store, which helps cover their daily needs. However, it’s not enough, and they were forced to seek government support for medical expenses. At present, Casayuran is his wife’s full-time caregiver.
Despite his challenges, Casayuran fondly recalled how he began playing Tongits. In search of leisure, he started playing the game socially, placing small bets ranging from ₱5 to ₱10. When neighbors introduced him to the online version of Tongits, his curiosity grew. He began studying the game more seriously and was eventually introduced to GameZone, which gave him the opportunity to qualify for the GTCC: Summer Showdown.
Initially, he only hoped to make it to the top 84, but he was more than blessed to have secured a spot in the championship.
When asked about his initial reaction after outsmarting his two opponents, he expressed his overwhelming joy through tears.
“Napakasaya, di po ako makapaniwala. Una ko pong pinasalamatan ay si Lord. Niyakap ko pa po ang aking dalawang kalaban at nagpasalamat din po ako sa kanila. Nung inawardan po ako, kinukurot ko ang sarili ko, tinatanong ko kung nananaginip ba ako—pero hindi pala.”
With his life-changing winnings, Casayuran plans to allocate funds primarily for his wife’s treatment and recovery, support his two children, and purchase a car for family travels around the Philippines.
He also expressed his deep gratitude to the brand and reminded fellow players to always practice responsible gaming.
“Wag agad magexpect ng malaki. Bale, responsible gaming lamang po. At sabi nga po ni Vice Ganda, ‘Gambling is not an option to solve your financial problems.’ Maglaro po tayo ng responsable at wag nating iasa sa gambling ang mga pangangailangan natin sa buhay.”
Community wins
In partnership with BingoPlus Foundation, GameZone donated ₱1 million to Gems Heart Outreach Dev’t., Inc. a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through sustainable community programs. The donation was made in fulfillment of the brand’s commitment tied to the ongoing GTCC:Summer Showdown, dedicated to urgent needs of a community in South Luzon.
Buso-Buso in Batangas, community beneficiary of the said donation, is currently reeling from the impact of Super Typhoon Kristine, which caused widespread destruction in their poultry farm cooperative, a primary source of income and food for many families. The initiative aims to restore food security, revive local livelihoods, and offer hope to families as they begin to rebuild their lives.
The donation, was accepted on stage by BingoPlus Foundation Executive Director Ms. Angela Camins-Wieneke, said
“Thank you so much to GameZone for the generous donation of 1 million pesos… To the players, this is an opportunity for you to make a difference. Your participation is not just about playing a game, and it’s not just about delivering entertainment to our viewers. Your participation will truly make a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of Filipinos across the country.”
Through this collaboration, GameZone, BingoPlus Foundation, and GTCC players have demonstrated how gaming communities can make a meaningful impact beyond the competition arena showing that true champions don’t just win games, they help uplift lives. (PR)
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