When it comes to Philippine esports, teams and players who are planning to travel abroad occasionally run into passport and visa issues, which can be incredibly stressful.

Teams have occasionally even requested assistance from well-known esports supporter and former senator Bam Aquino to help them solve the said issues. However, a recent tweet from Dathan “Daks” Rosales, a Filipino shoutcaster for VALORANT, indicated that skills are also impacted.

Daks relates visa problems on Twitter thread

The VCT APAC Last Chance Qualifiers, which will be hosted in Dublin, Ireland, will not be attended by Daks and other notable VALORANT talents Nico “BlackenBlue” Gayoso and Mika “MikaFabs” Fabella.

Daks Rosales (@DaksCasts) released a series of tweets on his Twitter account:

“Well then- sad to say @blackenBluePH, @mikafabs and I won’t be part of this year’s APAC S LCQ.

Truthfully, the inquiry last month was an honor but I already knew we weren’t gonna make it in time- knowing that of all the ENG talents, the only ones who needed travel visas… (1/5)”

The former Overwatch coach expressed his regret that he, @BlackenBluePH, and @mikafabs would not be able to compete in the APAC S LCQ this year. “Truthfully, the inquiry last month was an honor but I already knew we weren’t gonna make it in time- knowing that of all the ENG talents, the only ones who needed travel visas were from the PH,” he said.

Although they made every effort, it was too late to process the paperwork.

“…were from the PH 🇵🇭. We acted immediately when we got the info- but with the length of processing for the visa, the embassy informed us it was too late to make it to the flight dates.

I wanted to work in a studio setup- between all the audio issues I faced this year… (2/5)”

“and a way to learn from fellow peers in person, it would’ve been the best chance to do even better.

In the end, it’s sad but also a relief in a way- with this and then also getting asked and then dropped from last year’s LCQ, I’m pretty sure I’m cursed for the event… (3/5)”

He said they acted right away after receiving the information, however the embassy told them it was too late to make the flight dates due to the length of the visa processing.

Daks even attempted to advocate for a studio-style setup because he was aware that the job would provide an unheard-of opportunity to learn from top-tier international casters. He even referred to his qualification stints as “cursed,” appearing to be resigned with the sad turn of events.

Daks wanted to draw attention to the reasons why he enjoys shoutcasting and playing first person shooters in light of the missed chance and what he described a “lowball offer” regarding the PH broadcast for the Masters competition.

“Overall, I’m just thankful for all the opportunities from Riot, PPGL (yes, still), and all the other organizers (like ESL from last year) for a solid 2 year run for VCT,” he added. He said that it is fun to just watch the games at his own speed and without work being linked to it.

He exclaimed, “Still have some work, but to whatever’s next!”

“Adding in to a feeling of getting a lowball offer for this run of the PH broadcast for Masters, this has given me a chance to step back and try to find what made me bother doing esports, especially casting and Valorant, in the first place. It’s fun to just watch the games… (4/5)”

“at my own pace and without work being attached to it.

Overall, I’m just thankful for all the opportunities from Riot, PPGL (yes, still), and all the other organizers (like ESL from last year) for a solid 2 year run for VCT.

Still have some work, but whatever’s next! (5/5)”

MikaFabs frustrated about visa problems

On Facebook, MikaFabs also vented.

She stated, like Daks, that even if the procedure was sped up, there would not be enough time.

Overall though, she was devastated.

The Wild Rift and VALORANT host remarked that this incident really hurt and was sort of a rude awakening post-Icons. “Although everyone said I did well and there seemed to be more global opportunities to come, at the end of the day I’m still limited by our weak passport.”

She feels fortunate that this was her first experience with these challenges, but she notes that PH esports athletes have been having their dreams crushed for years due to visa concerns, issues that other SEA countries do not confront.

It is a running sad joke in the community that the visa issue is the true obstacle to Philippine esports, as she put it.