For the VALORANT fifth anniversary, Riot Games PH is putting Pinoy players front and center with a series of activities.
From June to July 2025, Riot Games PH will host player-focused online and offline activities. It will showcase VALORANT’s influence in local culture, including art, music, and creative expression beyond the game.
VALORANT, launched during the pandemic, has become a global tactical shooter with over 35 million active players with 70% Gen Z users. With 27 agents from 21 countries, it offers competitive play and vibrant gaming communities. As the world’s most viewed first person shooter esport, it broke records in 2024 with a 9.1 million peak and 44.3 million unique viewers.
The game has also won multiple awards in its five-year run. This includes Best Esports Game at The Game Awards in 2022 and 2023, Esports Game of the Year in 2024, and Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage in the 2025 Sports Emmy Award. It also won Esports Game Title of the Year at the 2024 Philippine Esports Awards.
In the Philippines, it has become a shared experience that unites players from diverse backgrounds. This has sparked a surge of Filipino talent making waves globally. This was evident with all-Filipino Team Secret competing internationally, NAOS securing second place in recent Challengers split, and local players joining global teams like Global Esports. Former NAOS player Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza had also joined Southeast Asia organization Paper Rex, which help lead them to victory as they head to VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025.
“Our anniversary celebration aims to relive the many moments that we made with VALORANT over the last five years, and make every Filipino gamer take pride in the important role they have been playing in bringing VALORANT to where it is today, and of course show our players that the best is yet to come for VALORANT. From late-night compshop grinds to memes that made their way into the game, culture and fan-made content, our players and fans have given the game a uniquely Pinoy flavor. This is how we recognize and remember their stories—the grind, the growth, and the good times—their own answers to the question “bakit VALO””.
Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines
The month-long celebration promises community-driven experiences, storytelling, cultural expression, and digital activations. It aims to highlight iconic gameplay moments, fan-made content, and the game’s impact on Filipino player culture.
The VALORANT fifth anniversary celebration in the Philippines started on June 2, with Riot PH releasing a tribute video. It will be followed with a mini-documentary titled “Humans of VALORANT”. The tribute video showcases art, gameplay, and community moments, while the mini-documentary features everyday players impacted by the game. The online rollout also includes interviews with creators.
The celebration comes to life in Metro Manila. It will feature vibrant murals ith the biggest at one of the Tenement Basketball Courts in Taguig City. It will be hand-painted by renowned illustrator and muralist Jappy Agoncillo. The event also features Jeepney Karaokes, where traditional jeepneys are transformed into mobile karaoke booths, bringing the sound and spirit of the Pinoy VALORANT scene to the streets.
“In the Philippines, we don’t say ‘Laro tayo,’ we say, ‘Tara, VALO’, and that says everything. This campaign is a thank-you letter to every Filipino player. They are not just part of the story, they are the story.”
Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines
