EVOS Esports Set to Make Return to the Philippines with an MPL PH Squad

EVOS Esports, one of Indonesia’s largest esports organizations, is set to return to the Philippines after a nearly two-year break. Aldean Tegar Gemilang, the Head of Esports at EVOS Esports, propagated the suspicions by writing a sneak peek posting a sneak glimpse of a tigers’ face with the Philippine flag color on his personal Instagram account. Bjorn “Zeys” Ong, EVOS Legends coach, also posted the same hint on his Instagram story.

Meanwhile, the EVOS Esports PH Facebook page posted a new status for the first time in nearly two years, indicating that the squad is on the verge of making a return. “Hello hello testing 1,2,3… Anyone here? #EVOSROAR” – A single tweet that attracted more than 30,000 engagements.

The return of EVOS Esports to the Philippines follows significant indications that the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL PH) may transition to a franchise-based format in the near future. EVOS is believed to be fighting for one of the eight spots available this coming season.

According to Tiebreaker Times, EVOS is now in negotiations to acquire Nexplay Esports’ roster, which includes many prominent players in the scene including John Paul “H2Wo” Salonga, Renejay “Renejay” Barcarse, and Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera. However, it is uncertain if EVOS intends to keep the present lineup or add some new faces to the mix.

EVOS Esports is not a newcomer to the Philippine esports scene. In 2019, they forayed into the Filipino scene by acquiring the roster of SxC Imbalance, who placed 4th in the second season of MPL PH. However, EVOS opted to withdraw, due to the poor team’s performance in Season Four. The roster was later sold to Tier One Entertainment’s Blacklist International, the current MPL-Philippines Season Seven champions.

“The decision to step back from the PH scene was decided after the EVOS management received complaints regarding the personnel entrusted to oversee the operations and team in the country. EVOS management takes serious views on such complaints and undertakes an internal investigation. We were upset with our findings including the welfare of our players were compromised, mismanagement of the company’s assets.” EVOS Esports stated on its withdrawal two years ago.

If this venture happens, EVOS will be one of the first organizations to enter numerous Southeast Asian nations while maintaining top-tier teams in each country’s franchise simultaneously, in this case, a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang franchise teams.

In terms of the franchise system, Hybrid has detailed the differences between MPL franchise systems in several Southeast Asian nations in Bahasa, which can be found here.

So far, the Jakarta-based organization has numerous MLBB rosters across Southeast Asia, including EVOS Legends in Indonesia, Suhaz EVOS in Malaysia, and EVOS Legends in Thailand. This still excludes their non-flagship teams, EVOS Icon and EVOS Lynx. The former is a Mobile Legends Development League (MDL) team, Indonesia’s second-tier league behind the MPL, while the latter is a professional women’s team.

Passpod Sets Up “Joint Venture” with Weepay to Penetrate the Philippines Market

Passpod announces joint venture with Philippines’ payment company, Weepay. Partnership is Passpod’s strategic step to penetrate the country’s market.

Still, under the brand Passpod, and to run business in May 2019, this service should reach Philippines outbound traveler potentially reached 4.3 million trips by 2021 according to Mastercard’s Future of Outbound Travel in Asia Pacific report (2016-2021).

This is the second regional expansion step for the mobile Wi-Fi devices developer after receiving fresh funding through IPO. Previously, the CEO, Hiro Whardana confirms that they’ve opened an office in Singapore. Passpod also plans to expand to five countries this year.

“We’re very pleased to welcome this joint venture as a collaboration with Weepay which already popular in Philippines’ payment industry. It’ll facilitate Passpod to penetrate Philippines’ outbound travelers market which number keeps having significant increase year by year,” he added.

Philippines is the most interesting market for many Indonesian startups because of the similarity. Previously, Gojek has acquired Philippines’ payment startup, Coins.ph, although the on demand service operation were stuck by the current transportation authority.

Regarding Philippines’ selection as the target expansion, Whardana said, “The internet use for data is high, even higher than Indonesia. In addition, the awareness to travel abroad is also quite high.”

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Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian

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Garap Pasar Filipina, Passpod Buat “Joint Venture” Bareng Weepay

Passpod (mengumumkan pembentukan joint venture dengan perusahaan pembayaran Filipina Weepay. Kemitraan untuk menjadi langkah strategis Passpod memasuki pasar negara tersebut.

Tetap mengusung brand Passpod dan bakal beroperasi bulan Mei 2019, diharapkan layanan ini dapat menjangkau outbound traveler Filipina yang potensinya disebut mencapai 4,3 juta perjalanan di tahun 2021 menurut laporan Mastercard’s Future of Outbound Travel in Asia Pacific (2016-2021).

Ini adalah langkah ekspansi regional kedua penyedia perangkat mobile Wi-Fi ini pasca perolehan dana segar melalui IPO. Sebelumnya CEO Hiro Whardana mengonfirmasi bahwa mereka telah membuka kantor di Singapura. Passpod sendiri berencana ekspansi ke lima negara tahun ini.

“Kami sangat senang menyambut kerja sama dalam bentuk joint venture dengan Weepay yang namanya sudah sangat populer di Filipina dalam bidang jasa pembayaran. Hal ini akan memudahkan Passpod untuk menggarap potensi pasar outbound traveler di Filipina yang jumlahnya terus mengalami pertumbuhan signifikan dari tahun ke tahun,” ujar Hiro.

Filipina termasuk menjadi negara tujuan ekspansi banyak startup Indonesia karena kemiripan pasarnya. Sebelumnya Gojek juga telah mengakuisisi startup pembayaran Filipina Coins.ph, meskipun operasional layanan on-demand-nya masih terganjal otoritas transportasi setempat.

Tentang pemilihan Filipina sebagai negara tujuan ekspansi, Hiro menyebutkan, “Penggunaan internet untuk kebutuhan data juga tinggi, bahkan lebih tinggi dari Indonesia. Selain itu, awareness mereka untuk bepergian ke luar negeri juga cukup tinggi.”

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Philippines’ Transportation Regulator Still Refuse to Allow Gojek Services

Gojek’s submission for business operation in Philippines still not approved by Philippines’ transportation regulator. They’re considered to violate the rule of foreign ownership limitation.

Quoted from Nikkei Asia Review, The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) refuse the reexamination of the previous result submitted by Gojek’s affiliation, Velox Technology Philippines.

The company is considered to disobey the rule regarding local ownership that requires 60%. Major investor (99%) is Velox South East Asia Holdings based in Singapore.

Philippines’ regulator representative, Jay Sabale said this is no different from the previous decision.

“They can’t run business here[Philippines] unless they follow the regulation.”

Regarding this, Gojek’s representative shows his disappointment to LTFRB and on its way to find another option.

“Gojek is disappointed with LTFRB’s rejection [..]. The players in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia obtain benefits from our technology everyday. However, due to this results, Philippines’ drivers and customers might have to wait longer,” he added.

Previously, Gojek is said to talk with local konglomerate, Ayala Corp, to penetrate the country, although there’s no confirmation yet. In other countries besides Indonesia, Gojek has partnered up with locals, even adopting local branding in Vietnam and Thailand.

After the Uber shut down, Grab is practically dominating the online transportation business.

Earlier this year, Gojek has announced acquisition of a blockchain-based digital payment, coins.ph worth of $72 million (over 1 billion Rupiah per today’s rate).

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Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian

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Regulator Transportasi Filipina Kembali Tolak Permohonan Gojek untuk Beroperasi

Permohonan Gojek untuk izin operasional di Filipina kembali ditolak regulator transportasi Filipina. Gojek dianggap melanggar aturan yang ditetapkan terkait pembatasan kepemilikan asing.

Dikutip dari Nikkei Asia Review, The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) menolak permohonan peninjauan kembali keputusan sebelumnya yang diajukan perusahaan afiliasi Gojek, Velox Technology Philippines.

Perusahaan tersebut dianggap tidak mematuhi persyaratan kepemilikan saham lokal minimal 60%. Pemodal mayoritas perusahaan tersebut (99%) adalah Velox South East Asia Holdings yang berbasis di Singapura.

Perwakilan regulator Filipina Jay Sabale mengatakan keputusan ini tidak berbeda dengan keputusan terhadap pelanggaran sebelumnya.

“Mereka tidak bisa datang ke sini [Filipina] kecuali mereka mengikuti apa yang tertulis dalam undang-undang.”

Menanggapi keputusan ini, perwakilan Gojek mengungkapkan kekecewaan terhadap LTFRB dan bersiap mencari opsi lain.

“Gojek kecewa dengan keputusan LTFRB untuk menolak mosi kami [..]. Penglaju di Singapura, Vietnam, Thailand, dan Indonesia mendapat manfaat dari teknologi kami setiap hari. Namun karena keputusan ini, tampaknya pengemudi dan penumpang di Filipina harus menunggu sedikit lebih lama,” terangnya.

Sebelumnya disebutkan Gojek telah melakukan pembicaraan dengan konglomerasi lokal, Ayala Corp, untuk memasuki negara tersebut, meskipun belum ada konfirmasi. Di negara-negara di luar Indonesia, Gojek menjalin kemitraan dengan perusahaan lokal, bahkan mengadopsi branding lokal di Vietnam dan Thailand.

Dengan penutupan layanan Uber di sana, Grab praktis masih menjadi penguasa bisnis transportasi online.

Awal tahun ini Gojek mengumumkan akuisisi terhadap perusahaan pembayaran digital berbasis blockchain Coins.ph senilai $72 juta (lebih dari 1 miliar Rupiah menurut kurs hari ini).

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Go-Jek Starts Planning to Operate in the Philippines

Go-Jek becomes a regional spotlight this year due to its strategic expansion to SEA countries. They currently reported to begin its service in Vietnam as GO-VIET and in Thailand (soon to be available for public) as GET. In the Philippines, the local media has reported GO-JEK to begin exploring business potential by applying for a license and preparing local entity.

Quoted from Entrepreneur Philippines, a member of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Aileen Lizada, confirmed that GO-JEK was applying for a temporary license to perform services in the Philippines, although yet to have an accreditation by LTFRB.

The past few months, the rumor of Go-Jek entering Philippines is all over the news. Grab domination in the Philippines needs a competitor and GO-JEK is said to be the ideal one after Uber left Southeast Asia.

However, GO-JEK’s journey to enter Philippines market has come to two issues. First, the Philippine wants to protect local startups and regulation (for two-wheeler public transport) which haven’t been allowed as ride-hailing vehicles.

GoLag, HirNa, Hype, MiCab, OWTO, and U-Hop are local startups engaged in the same industry or segment as Grab and GO-JEK. Lizada said, GO-JEK is too big and capable to decimate Philippines’ local online transportation services.

Later, if GO-JEK starts its services in the Philippines, the LTFRB regulations will be something in the way because it only allows cars, such as SUV (Sports Utility Vehicles), and AUV (Asian Utility Vehicles) for ride-hailing.

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Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian

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GO-JEK Begins Expanding in 2018, The Philippines to be The First Destination

GO-JEK will expand its business to the Philippines in 2018. In addition, other Southeast Asia countries did not escape its supervision as the next destination. The detail is initially is informed by GO-JEK’s CTO Ajey Gore and quoted from Reuters. Besides regional expansion, GO-JEK will add some new features such as laundry pickup and delivery and charging station placement in some areas.

In the news, Gore said all Southeast Asia’s countries are in GO-JEK’s radar for the next three, six or twelve months later. The Philippines will be the first expansion. It might be due to the similar character of its society and the digital payment method penetration. In the Philippines, GO-JEK is said to be testing the transportation and digital payment services.

Currently, Southeast Asia’s market is now being a ring for Uber and Grab. GO-JEK’s expansion, after dominating Indonesia’s market, will bring new dynamics. During this year, GO-JEK reportedly looking for fresh funding of $1.2 billions, supported by Tencent and JD.com.

2018 will be a busy year for GO-JEK. Besides the expansion, GO-JEK is mentioned to have invested in Bangladesh’s ride sharing startup, Pathao. Next year will also be GO-PAY’s momentum to become independent payment platform, not only for activities within GO-JEK ecosystem.

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Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian

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Dua Minggu di Filipina, Snapcart Klaim Peroleh 10 Ribu Pengguna

Layanan pemberi cashback melalui aplikasi mobile Snapcart, telah resmi melakukan ekspansi layanannya ke Filipina. Startup yang didirikan oleh Reynazran Royono selaku CEO ini telah hadir di Indonesia pada bulan Oktober 2015 lalu sebagai enabler dari industri e-commerce yang makin menjamur di tanah air.

Rencana ekspansi ini sendiri sebelumnya telah diutarakan oleh Reynazran kepada DailySocial, saat Snapcart baru saja mendapatkan pendanaan pra-seri A dari dari Wavemakers Partners, SPH Media Fund, SMDV (Sinar Mas Digital Ventures), dan Ardent Capital. Adanya kesamaan dari consumer behavior antara Indonesia dengan Filipina yang menjadikan alasan utama mengapa akhirnya ekpansi pertama yang dilakukan oleh Snapcart adalah Filipina.

“Secara garis besar sebenarnya behavior di Filipina dengan Indonesia sangat mirip, hanya saja jenis outlet yang tersedia berbeda. Di Indonesia minimarket seperti Indomaret, Alfamart sangat banyak, sehingga banyak pengguna di Indonesia yang bahkan melakukan transaksi bulanannya di minimarket. Di Filipina, minimarket baru saja didorong pertumbuhannya, namun secara pembelanjaan masih tetap lebih besar dari Supermarket,” kata CEO Snapcart Reynazran Royono kepada DailySocial.

Setelah diluncurkan dalam waktu dua minggu Snapcart mengklaim aplikasi mobile telah diunduh lebih dari 10 ribu pengguna. Hal ini dikarenakan adanya dukungan cashback dari klien Snapcart di Filipina, salah satunya adalah L’oreal.

”Pengguna di Filipina bahkan banyak yang menyatakan ‘ketagihan’ menggunakan Snapcart, apalagi dengan keuntungan mendapatkan cashback hanya dengan meng-upload struk belanja menggunakan aplikasi Snapcart,” kata Reynazran.

Secara keseluruhan Snapcart menargetkan untuk mendapatkan sedikitnya 50 ribu pengguna dalam waktu 3 bulan ke depan. Dari segi data collection jumlah pengguna ini sudah jauh lebih besar dari perusahaan-perusahaan riset sejenis. Secara total sudah lebih dari 75 merek-merek terkenal, baik lokal maupun multinasional yang telah menggunakan layanan Snapcart. Setelah melebarkan layanan ke Filipina, selanjutnya Snapcart juga berencana untuk melakukan ekspansi di negara Asia Tenggara lainnya, seperti Thailand, Malaysia, dan Vietnam.

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Koprol to invade the Philippines

After the acquisition, Koprol has made an astounding progress with their location based social network service in Indonesia. Monetization aside, Koprol has grow their company under Yahoo’s flagship with currently more than 1 million users and the biggest local social network in Indonesia.

And that being said, It’s just common sense for Koprol to explore even more and assessing the possibility to go abroad to foreign country where Yahoo! still have a strong connection and a good brand image as an internet community company. So based on what we’ve heard from a close source, Koprol is currently probing Philippines as their next target to deploy their service. But our source also state that, Yahoo-Koprol is clueless about how they should start to penetrate the country with almost 30 million people online. Our source also said that it is most likely that the Philippino version of Koprol will have a new name, more Yahoo-ish, as our source put it. Continue reading Koprol to invade the Philippines