‘Kielvj’ has been a household name in the local Mobile Legends landscape for quite some time now.
Kielvj Hernandez, one of the most versatile players in the league today, was a key figure in Sunsparks’ two-year dominance in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines.
The 15-year-old prodigy showed flashes of brilliance in Sunsparks’ first championship in Season Four. Months later, he was named Finals Most Valuable Player after steering the franchise to its second-straight title — the most in the league.
He won multiple championships with Sunsparks in different leagues, while also representing the Philippines in the first-ever M1 World Championships in Malaysia.
But before all the glory and success, the pride of Dasmariñas, Cavite had to make a choice — and a very difficult choice, too.
With Kielvj and his former team No Limit capping of MPL-PH Season Three with a respectable sixth-seventh place, the squad received an outright slot for the following season.
Juggling his studies and professional gaming career took its toll on Kielvj, who had just finished seventh grade at the time. And in order for him to succeed in one, he must sacrifice the other.
Driven by his passion for the sport, the then 14-year-old Kielvj mustered all his courage and told his mother, Marviluz, his plans of foregoing his school obligations to focus on his professional career.
“Nag-stop lang po ako nung naging successful na po ‘yung career ko. Sabi ko kay mommy, magfo-focus muna ako dito sa career,” revealed Kielvj in Tiebreaker Vods’ the CPT Crossover, presented by SMART and supported by LGR.
“Nung una po against si mami kasi walang parent na gustong napapabayaan ‘yung anak nila. Two to four hours lang kasi tulog ko bago ako pumasok. After ng grade seven, sabi ko susubukan ko mami if mag-work at magtuloy-tuloy.”
His mother wasn’t fond of the idea at first. But after countless heart-to-heart conversations, Mariluz finally gave her ‘bunso’ the green light to pursue what he truly desires. That, with the promise that he would go back to studying if ever his professional career went south.
“Magsa-study pa rin po ako, pinangako ko kay mommy kaya pumayag siya. Nagkataon lang talaga na super busy kaya hindi pa makapag-study.”
Since then, his mother, together with his sister Kenn Danica, has always been in attendance during Kielvj’s matches. She even makes vlogs for each game to show her full support for her beloved son.
Kielvj also made sure to repay his mother’s support. Now earning more than enough money at a very young age, he always makes sure to help out his family in their household expenses.
“Sobrang proud na rin po sa sarili ko kasi ‘di na birong pera mga nahahawakan ko, and at the same time, natutulungan ko rin ang family ko.”
With all the accolades under his belt at such a young age, there is no denying that the sky is the limit for Kielvj.
