His mom had just suffered from a mild stroke, and his dad needed financial and emotional support.
His supposed only ally had cheated on him.
That was how Bien “Boyet” Chumecera remembers the year 2023.
In an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times, Boyet recalled how the problems he faced last year affected his foray into the MPL Philippines and how these struggles weighed heavily on his decision to move to Cambodia.
As a teenager, incidents within the family forced Boyet to leave home. Since then, he became independent and became a breadwinner for his mom and siblings.
“After Grade 10 di ko na tlga halos ka close tatay ko kasi may mga hindi kami pagkakaintindihan. May mga pagkakamali din ako noon dahil matigas ulo ko. Naglayas ako sa amin nung grade 10. Hanggang ngayon di kami masyadong okay ng tatay ko pero nag sorry naman kami sa isa’t isa,” revealed Boyet.
“Pero nung nagkaproblema siya last year talagang ginawa ko makakaya ko para tulungan siya kasi kahit anong mangyari tatay ko pa din yun.”
During his early days in the esports scene, he shared as much as 50% of his income with his mom and siblings. His elder sister was still in college back then, while his younger sibling had a disability.
“Simula nung napadpad akong Manila nung 2020, di na talaga ko humingi sa magulang ko. Ni piso wala talaga kong hiningi sa magulang ko hanggang ngayon. Parang ako na talaga nagbigay nun,” he said.
During MPL Philippines Season 12, when MINANA Evos was battling for playoff life, Boyet was also fighting battles outside the MPL PH arena.
“After nung na 2-0 namin yung RSG, di na ko naglaro. Dami ko rin kasing problema nun. Namild stroke si Mama, nagkaproblema yung Papa ko tapos niloko pa ko ng girlfriend ko. Sabi ko talaga nun kay Boss Banoobs, ayoko muna maglaro,” he recalled.
“Wala talaga ko sa focus nun.”
He even went and told MINANA Evos owner Julius “Banoobs” Mariano that he was ready to give up on his MPL dream.
“Six years kami nun tapos May last year nangimambansa siya. Kalagitnaan ng MPL sabi ko kay Boss Banoobs noon, titigil ako magMPL. Pupunta na lang akong ibang bansa para makasama ko yun. Itigil ko na kako yung pangarap ko para makasama ko yung babaeng yun. Kahit di ko gusto magtrabaho dun, magtatrabaho ako para makasama siya,” he said
With problems piling up in Boyet’s head, the arrival of an enticing offer from overseas seemed heaven-sent.
“Yung nagchat sakin dito sa Cambodia si Sir Ola, matagal na rin kaming nag-uusap. Tinanong ako kung gusto ko daw ba sa Pro tas sinabi agad yung offer pati benefits. So yun, kinausap ko si Boss Banoobs, sabi ko dito muna ako sa Pro,” continued Boyet.
“Binayaran kasi agad ako dito. Pupunta pa lang ako dito ng November 18 tapos bayad na ko ng isang buwan. Eh alam ni Boss Banoobs na galing stroke yung Mama ko tapos ang dami kong problema, tinanggap ko na agad to basta may pera lang ako.”
The offer was almost three times his salary in the MPL Philippines. Knowing his situation well, Banoobs quickly agreed to his request.
For now, Boyet is focused on supporting his sibling with a disability to acquire a college degree while providing his mom with the medication she needs.
“Priority ko talaga ngayon yung bunso kong kapatid. Kasi yung ate ko napagtapos ko naman na eh. Ang iniintindi ko na lang ngayon yung Mama ko saka yung isa kong kapatid. Yung mama ko kasi lagi siyang may sakit,” shared Boyet.
Boyet remains thankful to his MINANA family, especially Banoobs and MINANA Coach Josh Alfaro, who served as his rock throughout all the challenges, as well as his cousins who accommodated him since he left home.
He feels lucky to receive support from people around the MPL PH, which provided him with the push to carry on against life’s struggles.
“May mga tao rin talagang nagchachat sakin. Pinaparamdam na sobrang naaappreciate nila ginagawa ko as pro player. Yung mga nanonood lang din sa MPL. Sila Madame Martinez, Madame Winter, Madame Jovel. Mga ganun. Sila talaga kasi yung nagpupush sakin para magpursige nang magpursige.”
Most importantly, he feels like he’s found a home away from home.
“Maganda lahat ng pakikitungo dito. Mababait lahat ng tao lalo na sila Boss Seav Chhoun tsaka nung manager namin kaya di rin ako nagsisisi na lumipat ako dito,” Boyet said of his new team PRO Esports.
