On Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 15 Playoffs Day 1, we spoke to former MLBB esports player and now content creator Ben "Benthings" Maglaque about his newly-launched cafe business.
During an interview, he shared his business journey and how a conversation with other professional players helped him start budgeting, investing, and setting financial goals."Nagsimula akong maging aware nung nakasama ko yung mga players noon sa isang tournament abroad. Nakukwento nila 'yung struggle nila, na 'sayang, sana dati minaximize namin yung pag-stream at pagnenegosyo.' Lagi kasi nilang sinasabi sa 'kin 'non, 'may oras lang ang pagiging professional player.' Sa pagiging content creator naman, nagsasawa ang tao. Kaya naman nag-start na ko ng pag-bu-business."
("I started becoming aware when I joined some players in a tournament abroad. They would talk about their struggles, saying things like, 'We should have maximized streaming and doing business back then.' They always used to tell me, 'Being a professional player has a time limit.' As for being a content creator, people eventually get tired of you. That's why I started getting into business.")
Venturing into business and investing in houses is not new to MLBB professional players. For one, Team Falcons Rowgien "Owgwen" Unigo recently purchased his first house for the family. "After years of grinding and manifesting, sawakas meron na rin sariling bahay!" Unigo posted on Facebook. ONIC Philippines' Grant Duane "Kelra" Pillas invested in the perfume and clothing business, while Team Liquid's Sanji "Sanji" Pabico started his computer shop business this year.
("After years of grinding and manifesting, I finally have my own house!")
However, there are still those who find financial management difficult. "Yung mga naging ka-team ko noon, nagkaroon talaga sila ng struggles. Halimbawa, yung se-swelduhin nila, nakapila na sa mga bayarin at utang. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila noon na, kapag pro-player ka, hindi mo masusustain 100% 'yung buhay kung 'yun lang 'yung source ng income. Lalo na kung wala gumagabay sa'yo sa pag-manage ng pera.
Benthings shared how becoming a pro-player can open up opportunities to earn more, not just from competing professionally, but also through content creation, livestreaming, and collaboration with brands. "Ine-encourage ko sila na gumawa ng ibang bagay na pwedeng pagkakitaan, tulad ng paggawa ng content at pag-stream, para din makilala sila sa possible na brand partners.
Benthings also had his fair share of financial challenges when starting as a pro player, but he knew he had to prioritize saving money despite expenses piling up. In 2017, he bought his brother a jeepney to earn more and build his savings.
"Binilhan ko yung kuya ko ng jeep. Nag-invest ako sa kanya, at dahil don unti-unti akong nakaipon. Dati, walang napupuntahan yung pera ko. Narealize ko na, 'hindi pwedeng sasahod ako tapos mapupunta lang lahat sa gastos." Since then, Ben was able to save money through banking, until he invested in business. He confessed that saving his money through having a savings account helped him track expenses and monitor earnings.
("I bought my older brother a jeep. I invested in him, and because of that, I was gradually able to save up. Before, my money was going nowhere. I realized that I can't just keep earning a salary and have it all go to expenses.")
MPL PH has been pushing for financial literacy and education among the MLBB esports community. Its partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Inc., came at a perfect time as both aim to bring banking tools closer to the community in order to help them create informed financial decisions.
"At MPL Philippines, we strongly believe in the importance of financial literacy and education. It is a key area of focus, and we believe it is crucial to spread the knowledge of how to manage their money at a young age. Most of our pro-players have various streams of income, but we want to emphasize the importance of making smart monetary decisions," said Lee Viloria, PH Esports Head of Business Development and Partnerships.
"We thank BPI for bringing banking closer to the gaming community. We share the same goal with them in pushing for financial solutions that encourage our gamers to save up and make a habit of saving." Lee added.
“At BPI, we believe that financial empowerment should start early, especially in fast-growing communities like esports and gaming. Stories like Benthings’ show how financial education can transform lives, create new opportunities, and unlock long-term success. Through our partnership with MPL Philippines, we aim to bring banking closer to a new generation and market of Filipinos, helping them save, invest, and build a future beyond the game. When the youth is equipped with the right tools and mindset, they can truly Do More—not just in their careers, but in life,” said Ginbee Go, Head of Consumer Banking at BPI.
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