'Lakad Matatag': Shoutcaster grateful to continue late partner's legacy with Sibol
MANILA, Philippines — It was a big blow to the Philippine esports community when veteran Dota 2 shoutcaster Alrdin "Dunoo" Pangan passed away last year due to COVID-19.
But his memory continues to live on today, with the help of his casting partner Marlon "Lon" Marcelo and Sibol, the Philippines' national team for esports.
Pangan and Marcelo were internationally renowned for their casting in Dota 2 and were pegged for the phrase "Lakad Matatag" that became their trademark in shoutcasting.
Now, barely a year removed from Pangan's death, Marcelo and Sibol breathe new life into it as the phrase became the national team's battle cry for the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
An emotional Marcelo, also serving as the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) Executive Director, spoke about the phrase that made he and the late Pangan so iconic in Dota 2.
"Definitely, this is a battle cry," he told Philstar.com.
"'Lakad Matatag', if you're not a gamer, it still clicks. May tira, may dating. When you say 'Lakad Matatag', it lifts you up. It's something that inspires," he added.
Though Pangan is gone, Marcelo believes that his fellow Philippine esports advocate is pleased with how things have been going.
He even revealed that Pangan was very much willing to lend the battle cry, which they could've benefited financially from, without any charge.
"Kami, walang alanganin na 'Sige. Let's do this'. Wala namang commercial rights. For us, it's a dream eh," Marcelo said of the moment Sibol approached them to use the phrase.
"Technically, if that would be used for commercial purposes, there should be royalties or at least, upfront payment -- that is the way to go eh. Pero yun nga, my late partner actually said na 'Hindi. That's para sa bayan. Who are we to say? Let's charge them love'. I always am happy to know na ganun parin yung pag-iisip niya and I guess he's watching from above na 'Wow, ang laki na ng SIBOL'," he added.
Marcelo will oversee Sibol's campaigns in the upcoming SEA Games where the country is expected to compete in all 10 events in esports.
Also on the calendar for PeSO are the Asian Games, and the 14th IESF Esports World Championships in Bali.
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