The Walled City

The most accomplished gymnast in Philippine history goes to MPL Philippines, Carlos Edriel Yulo has become synonymous with Philippine gymnastics. But behind the Olympic gold medals, world titles, and historic victories is a journey that began long before millions of Filipinos watched him make history.

Whether in esports or traditional sports, representing the Philippines on the international stage is a source of immense pride. As the Asian Games approach, his message to the Philippine delegation is clear: give it your all, believe in what you can achieve, and leave no room for doubt.

Photos: MPL Media/Richard Esguerra

MPL S18: LOCKED AND LOADED

The teams are stacked. The rosters are loaded. And after a gritty Season 17, they’re not slowing down.

A Manila-based technology studio is taking a bold step into AI-powered filmmaking with the development of “Trading Wars,” a 12-episode animated series that its creators describe as the world’s first long-form series produced entirely through “synthography.”

Developed by the MISHKAM Synthographic Division, the production arm of Quezon City-based Mishkam Technologies, “Trading Wars” follows Ren, a failed meme-stock trader who is mentored by the mysterious Ginzo before entering a high-stakes global trading competition alongside a colorful cast of characters including Aya Kazumi, Unit-734, and Valentino “The Whale” Bianchi.

Despite being created using artificial intelligence, the studio stressed that the project is far from fully machine-generated. Instead, it describes its production pipeline as “human-directed, AI-assisted,” with every frame undergoing structured creative oversight before reaching the screen.

According to the studio, each sequence begins with traditional storyboarding, character reference sheets, and carefully structured prompts before AI tools generate the visuals. Episode 2 alone required 67 storyboarded shots across nine sequences before animation production began, illustrating the level of human planning involved.

The company uses the term “synthography” to distinguish its workflow from conventional AI image generation, arguing that the technology serves as a production tool rather than a replacement for filmmakers.

Beyond animation, MISHKAM is positioning “Trading Wars” as the centerpiece of a broader Web3 entertainment ecosystem. Plans include tokenizing 25 percent of the project’s equity through its native cryptocurrency under the ticker $TWL, releasing character-based NFT trading cards across four rarity tiers, launching a trading card game spanning both digital and physical formats, and eventually establishing a regional esports circuit centered on the franchise.

The studio believes the convergence of AI-native filmmaking, blockchain-based entertainment, and growing crypto communities presents an opportunity for Southeast Asia to become a significant player in emerging digital media.

With “Trading Wars,” MISHKAM is also aiming to establish the Philippines as an early mover in synthography-assisted animation, a field currently dominated by companies and creators in the United States, China, and Europe.

The project reflects a growing trend in the global creative industry, where AI is increasingly being integrated into production workflows while human creators continue to oversee storytelling, visual direction, and artistic decisions. Rather than replacing artists, MISHKAM said its goal is to demonstrate that technology can accelerate production without sacrificing authorship or creative intent.

✍️ Top Dagohoy

TEAM SPIRIT REIGN SUPREME AT MSC-EWC 2026 PARIS

The journey is complete. After a hard-fought run filled with intense battles, Team Spirit has claimed the championship title and cemented their legacy on the global stage.

Photo: EWC Media 2026

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, T1 BOOST ESPORTS COOPERATION

July 16, 2026 | Seoul, South Korea

Philippine Ambassador Bernadette Therese Fernandez met with T1 Entertainment & Sports executives to discuss future collaborations in esports, digital content, and the creative industry. T1 recognized the Philippines as a key esports market in Southeast Asia, highlighting the country’s passionate gaming community and strong esports audience.

Photos: Philippine Embassy in Korea

If you are reading this, we want to thank you for sticking with us all throughout these years. We may not be as active as before, but we're all quietly honing our craft and growing individually. We're not slowing down, we're sharpening the tools we'll bring back home.

We plan to bring every skill we build back to TWC because it's our home. And home is worth investing in.

Happy 4th anniversary to us!

SIBOL ON THE ROAD TO ASIAN GAMES 2026 🇵🇭🇯🇵

The MLBB representatives set their sights on Nagoya, Japan for the 2026 Asian Games, as Senator Bam Aquino, also known as the “Kuya of Esports,” unveiled the official jersey alongside Mark "Mugen" Striegl while lighting the torch during the Mobile Legends Professional League Grand Finals opening.

As part of their journey, SIBOL will first compete in a crucial qualifier this June in Singapore, aiming to secure their spot on the continental stage.

Giving them a proper send-off for this highly anticipated campaign, SIBOL Executive Director Marlon Marcelo shared that the team is locked in and determined to bring home another gold for the Philippines.

KarlTzy, Sanford, Sanji, Jaypee, Kelra, and Teddy remain unfazed heading into the qualifiers. With four additional coaches completing this star-studded lineup, the squad is poised to challenge every opponent in their path.

ONE CLICK STRAIGHT OPENS THE ARENA!

OPM band One Click Straight performed at the MPL Arena ahead of the Grand Finals last Sunday, delivering live renditions of “Trip Lang” and “Telepono” to warm up the crowd and set the atmosphere before the championship series.

STILL NOT OVER IT

The MPL Arena sees light moments in between matches, where the fast-paced energy gives way to quieter, more candid scenes. As the competition continues, these pauses offer a glimpse into the atmosphere beyond the spotlight.

(Photos by CV Balido/TWC News)

TEAM LIQUID PH'S MPL 3-PEAT 🏆🏆🏆

Mission accomplished. No doubts. No hesitation. No stutter.

Team Liquid PH cemented their dynasty in MPL Philippines history, securing their third consecutive championship after defeating Team Falcons PH in a commanding 4-2 Grand Finals victory. From start to finish, the Cavalry showcased why they remain the gold standard of Philippine Mobile Legends, delivering clutch performances when it mattered most.

Three straight titles. One undisputed king.

The dynasty continues as Team Liquid PH reigns supreme over MPL Philippines once again.

(Photos by CV Balido/TWC News)