GameZone Tour recognizes Alas' skills and purpose with a redesigned version

The GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup Season 4 golden trophy

Season after season, GameZone has reached new heights. Raising the stakes, having more fun, providing entertainment for the greater good, and maintaining its competitive spirit while inspiring others in the playing community. 

On March 8, GameZone wrapped up its new and enhanced tournament series, the GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup Season 4, at the PNB Events Hall in Pasay City. The tournament's offline stages began on March 5, with the top 36 players vying to achieve the top nine and advance to the semifinals.

The season's prize pool was ₱10 million, with the coveted golden trophy at stake. The game progressed from 36 participants to only three of the greatest players who controlled their individual tables: Ahrold Tubig, Gina Bengco, and Pilar Fernandez.

The final match was established after the top three finalists competed in a series of rigorous rounds, with Tubig leading in the first half, ahead of Bengco and Fernandez. The competition highlighted each player's distinct skills and knowledge of the game as they competed.

During the halftime break, players were asked about their overall experience and game plan for the second half of the final. Tubig displayed sportsmanship by wishing his fellow competitors success and mentioning that he had been playing on the GameZone app for two years.

Bengco, who came in second place, claimed she has been using the GameZone app for three years. Fernandez, the oldest of the three, said she's been playing the game using standard playing cards since she was a teenager. She also provided a motivational message for those interested in participating in the tournament: "Try and try until you succeed."

(L-R) President of Gamemaster Integrated Inc., Jasper Vicencio, together with Pilar Fernandez, 
Gina Bengco, and Ahrold Tubig

Exciting new gameplay was also introduced to the entire GameZone experience, including the Glory Ring Tournament, which runs alongside the main game. It featured 60 players competing for the golden ring and reward, with Renato Flores winning in his tournament debut.

The Games and Amusement Board was present at the event, promoting its Responsible Gaming message while also supporting the contest. 

Rafael Jasper Vicencio, President of Gamemaster Integrated Inc, was also present for the Gamemaster Talks section, where he discussed how DigiPlus and GameZone are leading the market in innovation and the production of immersive experiences for their users.

He also stated that the company has contributed to the creation of a safe playing environment for its players by implementing strong KYC (know your customer) checks, self-exclusion, and reminders about responsible gaming.

Celebrities Awra Briguela, Yskaela Fujimoto, and Christine Samson contributed to the fun with a reason by participating in a celebrity match for a cause presented by comedian and actress Negi. Their prizes were donated to DigiPlus Foundation's FutureSmart Scholars, LoveYourself Inc., and Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc.

A celebrity match for a cause during the GameZone Tour

The funds were delivered by Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of the DigiPlus Foundation. It was DigiPlus and GameZone's approach of broadening their efforts to assist diverse organizations in accordance with their particular focus and aims.

As the second half of the match progressed, the audience cheered for their preferred player to win, each with their own family and friends present. At the same time, other people broadcast the GameZone Tour on social media.

Tubig won the game with 23,300 points, taking home the championship trophy and ₱5 million grand prize. Bengco finished second with 22,500 points and ₱1 million, followed by fan favorite Pilar Fernandez in third with 14,200 points and ₱500,000.

The finalists of GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup Season 4

In addition to the competition, the GameZone Tour experience added a new mood with its rebranding, which included side games and booths that engaged guests by enticing them to participate for prizes. GameZone collaborated with the DigiPlus Foundation to deliver community-driven initiatives throughout the day.

While the battle began, a champion was also introduced: global boxing champion and icon Manny Pacquiao has joined GameZone as its newest brand ambassador, bringing with him the Ikaw ang Alas campaign, which will help the tournament's players become GameZone Tour 2026 champions.

Manny Pacquiao announced as GameZone’s newest brand ambassador

Everyone got to experience the genuine GameZone as their abilities improved during the event. The GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup will run throughout the year, with more games and more fun added each season to amuse both new and seasoned fans in the community.

About DigiPlus

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information visit www.digiplus.com.ph.

DigiPlus strengthens player protection with surety bond for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country's leading provider of digital entertainment, including BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, today announced a historic alliance with Philippine First Insurance Co.  Inc. (PhilFirst), the nation's first domestic insurance provider.  They collaborated to create the Philippines' first surety bond program for online gaming participants, setting a new standard for player protection.  The program takes effect immediately.

For players, this offers additional peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to current and they continue to follow the platform's rules.  Whether it's a novice gamer or a die-hard fan celebrating a big victory, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even more secure.

This project provides qualifying participants with an additional financial safety.  The surety bond covers up to ₱1 million in player balances without requiring customers to obtain a separate coverage.

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection. We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded.” ~Eusebio H. Tanco, DigiPlus Chairman

This latest action reinforces DigiPlus' commitment to dependable client service and protection by adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer assistance and 130+ physical BingoPlus locations countrywide, which already serve as handy and trusted venues for players.

With the inclusion of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to advance industry standards, providing not just exciting and innovative gaming offers but also a stronger assurance of confidence, security, and peace of mind to its customers.

About DigiPlus Interactive Corp.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, widely known for their engaging experiences in interactive gaming and sports entertainment. For more information, visit: www.digiplus.com.ph.

About PhilFirst

PhilFirst Insurance is the first Filipino domestic insurance company in the Philippines, offering a wide array of non-life insurance coverage to individuals and corporations.

Established in 1906, PhilFirst provides insurance services for homes, motor vehicles, personal accidents, travel, liability, marine, engineering, and bonds. The Company is dedicated to delivering excellent and personalized service to ensure customer satisfaction while addressing the needs of its partners, brokers, agents, and stakeholders.

We maintain a team of highly competent and motivated employees who adhere to our corporate values of excellence, integrity, creativity, innovation, and social responsibility.

At PhilFirst, we’re proud to bring our 119 years of insurance expertise into the digital entertainment space through this groundbreaking partnership with DigiPlus. Protecting the hard-earned funds of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone players reflects our promise to keep evolving with the market while staying true to our core mission: giving Filipinos peace of mind so they can fully enjoy life’s opportunities. This surety bond is more than a product – it’s proof that PhilFirst is ready to safeguard customers wherever innovation takes them.

Revolutionising digital entertainment in the Philippines

Putting the GAME in eGaming: DigiPlus utilises cutting-edge technologies and a deep bench of experts from different spaces within the gaming industry.

Filipino culture is deeply rooted in traditional bingo. Such gaming exercises have filled in as a space where individuals from varying backgrounds get to appreciate, unwind, and fabricate significant associations with each game.

In any case, the phenomenal times brought by the pandemic changed the whole gaming industry in the midst of isolation limitations forestalling any type of get-togethers. The public emergency likewise quickly pushed computerized reception across the world. This comes in the midst of a carefully proficient youthful segment and a huge entrance of the Web and cell phones as of late.

This brought both a test and a chance for gaming and recreation organization DigiPlus Intelligent in driving digitalisation in the Philippine gaming industry while making charming encounters for its players across channels.

DigiPlus Interactive has launched BingoPlus in January 2022. It is the first digital platform where bingo-loving Filipinos can play with the convenience of time and place by bringing the game live online. BingoPlus leverages the company’s deep understanding of its customers whilst bringing in innovation and technologies to offer new entertainment product formats to more Filipinos.

BingoPlus’ brick-and-mortar or traditional bingo operations also complemented the foray into the digital space. DigiPlus Interactive currently operates at least 200 bingo halls in different parts of the Philippines, which continue to be popular amongst Filipinos.

The strong performance of BingoPlus propelled the robust growth of DigiPlus. In 2022, DigiPlus posted a turnaround in its financial performance, with a net income of ₱686.9m coming from a net loss of ₱894.6m in the previous year. Furthermore, in the first nine months of 2023, DigiPlus registered a net income of ₱2.1b, more than a tenfold growth from 2022.

As the first and only government-licensed digital bingo platform in the country, BingoPlus is reshaping the country’s gaming industry. Continuing to dominate the digital gaming space, BingoPlus has opened up new opportunities, triggering a proliferation of online gaming platforms in the Philippines. This healthy competition fosters innovation and creativity that fundamentally benefits the customers.

The platform has also since become a community and entertainment platform, a source of revenue for the Philippine government, and a contributor to various social and educational non-profit programmes.

“The success of BingoPlus has paved the way for [DigiPlus] to undertake a strategic transformation to position itself as a digital entertainment platform.”

It added its plans of launching new and innovative game offerings to cater to broader demographics and lifestyle preferences.

The platform’s continued investment in research and development, as well as its efforts in revolutionising the digital gaming experience, has been lauded by the inaugural Asian Management Excellence Awards, with the company bringing home the Philippines Innovator of the Year - Media & Entertainment category win.

The coveted awards programme celebrates the finest business leaders, innovators, and companies in Asia, and commends exceptional achievements in the various aspects of operations, including employee engagement programmes, diversity and inclusion projects, and health and wellness initiatives.