The Filipino Tekken Scene gets a comeback with the biggest annual and local Tekken Competition in Manila Madness V.  The tournament joins as a Master Event in direct collaboration with the international Tekken World Tour at the Filinvest Tent. Featuring other fighting games as side brackets, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Street Fighter 6, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and Marvel: Tokon Fighting Souls. Manila Madness proves over the past weekend that the local scene still has some bite.

Since 2022, Manila Madness, in affiliation with the official international Tekken World Tour Tournament, has been an important annual meet for players to compete and enjoy Fighting Games. What once started as a one-time event has since turned into a yearly spectacle as local community support has turned the local celebration into a yearly international competition. 

Seeing only one international player, Higem, at the first Manila Madness in the top 8 bracket and eliminated at the semi-finals is now put into complete contrast at Manila Madness 5, with 7 out of the top 8 placers as international players, with only AK as the local representative amongst the finals bracket, with Gen Mulgold as the grand winner this year. 

The biggest names in Tekken such as South Korea’s Evo Champion JDCR, two-time EVO champion Rangchu and Jeondding, and Thailand’s EVO champion Book are among the most notable international competitors joining Manila Madness V. 

Apart from the international attention, Manila Madness’ success stands as proof of the Philippines’ Fighting Game Community (FGC). Previous representation in relation to fighting games prior to players like AK and events such as Manila Madness included players such as Filipino Champ, who last saw the spotlight 9 years ago. 

Other Asian Countries such as Japan and South Korea had long dominated and influenced the FGC, thanks in part to their strong local community and subsequently very strong local competition. In comparison, arcades were located just to the locale of Metro Manila around the 90s, a crucial time for the subculture of the FGC to grow as Street Fighter and Tekken were introduced to arcade-goers. 

The Philippines experienced a different kind of boom, with the local scene as titles such as Tekken and Street Fighter were more commonly played and seen at other people’s houses on home consoles rather than a concentrated gathering of specific fighting game players at arcades. Even the earliest representation of Filipinos on the international stage, Filipino Champ, didn’t grow up in the Philippines.  

Similarly, Pakistan had long been invisible on the map for fighting games. But Arslan Ash’s performance in 2018 and 2019, where he ended up winning by major upset against Tekken legend Knee, had placed Pakistan on the map. Allowing players such as Farzeen to compete and make a name for themselves. 

As countries fight for representation and more opportunities to compete, representation of the local FGC in the Philippines matters, and events like these help shine a light on local players. Started by the founder of Manila Madness, Yuven “Brownman” Vincent, and Rakenrol has now turned a one-time celebration into an annually anticipated gathering that has helped build careers and, most importantly, build community.