With the redesigned GameZone Tour, GameZone honors Alas' abilities and mission

The finalists of GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup Season 4

GameZone has achieved new heights every season. raising the stakes, improving the fun factor, providing entertainment for the benefit of society, and keeping the competitive aspect while inspiring more players. 

On March 8, GameZone concluded their enhanced tournament series, the GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup Season 4, at the PNB Events Hall in Pasay City. The top 36 players competed to place in the top 9 and move on to the semifinals when the tournament's offline phases began on March 5.

The season's prize fund was an incredible ₱10 million, with the coveted golden trophy up for grabs. Only Ahrold Tubig, Gina Bengco, and Pilar Fernandez—three of the best players who dominated their respective tables—remained out of the 36 players as the game went on.

The top three finalists faced off in a series of exhausting rounds, with Tubig leading Bengco and Fernandez in the first part of the tournament. Each player's special skills and knowledge of the game were on display as they competed.

At halftime, the players were asked about their overall experience and strategy for the second half of the championship game. By wishing his competitors well and saying that he had been using the GameZone app for two years, Tubig demonstrated excellent sportsmanship.

Bengco, the runner-up, said she had been using the GameZone app for three years. Fernandez, the oldest of the three, disclosed that she had been playing the game with ordinary playing cards since she was a teenager. Her motivational words for everyone who wants to compete are "Try and try until you succeed."

(L-R) President of Gamemaster Integrated Inc., Jasper Vicencio, together with Pilar Fernandez, 
Gina Bengco, and Ahrold Tubig

One of the thrilling new gameplay features that have been added to the entire GameZone experience is the Glory Ring competition, a side competition that runs concurrently with the main game. There were sixty competitors vying for the golden ring and prize, and Renato Flores emerged victorious in the tournament debut.

By being present, the Games and Amusement Board supported the competition and reaffirmed its message of responsible gaming. 

Gamemaster Integrated Inc. President Rafael Jasper Vicencio was also present. He spoke live during the Gamemaster Talks segment about how DigiPlus and GameZone are setting the standard for innovation and giving players engaging experiences.

He stated that by imposing strict KYC (know your customer) checks, self-exclusion, and reminders on responsible gaming, the company has helped to create a safe gaming environment for its consumers.

Celebrities Yskaela Fujimoto, Christine Samson, and Awra Briguela attended a celebrity match for a cause organized by comedian and actress Negi, adding even more entertainment value. LoveYourself Inc., Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop Inc., and the FutureSmart Scholars of the DigiPlus Foundation received their rewards.

A celebrity match for a cause during the GameZone Tour

The funds were presented by DigiPlus Foundation Executive Director Angela Camins-Wieneke. It was how DigiPlus and GameZone expanded their efforts to assist many organizations in line with their unique goals and areas of expertise.

As the second half of the game went on, the audience, which included their own family and friends, cheered for their favorite player to win. A few simultaneously streamed on the GameZone Tour page on social media.

After a long and fierce battle, Tubig managed to hold onto his lead with 23,300 points, capturing the championship trophy and the ₱5 million grand prize. Bengco finished second with 22,500 points and ₱1 million, while the fan favorite Pilar Fernandez came in third with 14,200 points and ₱500,000.

The renamed GameZone Tour experience included side games and booths that encouraged guests to compete for prizes in addition to the competition. In partnership with the DigiPlus Foundation, GameZone offered community-driven initiatives all day long.

A champion was also revealed as the bout began. As GameZone's newest brand ambassador, world boxing champion and legend Manny Pacquiao introduced the Ikaw ang Alas campaign, which will help the tournament's competitors win the GameZone Tour 2026.

Manny Pacquiao announced as GameZone’s newest brand ambassador

As their abilities improved during the competition, everyone got a taste of the real GameZone. The GameZone Tour: Tongits Plus Champions Cup will go on all year long, introducing new games to the competition and making it more enjoyable each season to delight both new and seasoned community members.

About DigiPlus

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information visit www.digiplus.com.ph.

36 Top Players Enter the GameZone Tour Finals

A new era of Tongits action will begin this year as GameZone, the leading developer of card games in the Philippines, introduces the revamped GameZone Tour, in which 36 competitors will vie for a coveted title and the majority of the ₱10,000,000 prize fund. Its successful 2024 debut as the Tongits Champion Cup (TCC) is where the GameZone Tour got its start. 

The September Arena and the Summer Showdown were two thrilling events added to the competition a year later, when it was renamed the GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC).

In both tournaments, the country's best Tongits players demonstrated remarkable accuracy, strategy, and in-depth card game knowledge. The GameZone Tour will increase the level of competition by introducing the Tongits Plus Champions Cup (TPCC) for the first of its four main seasons in 2026. 

The Tongits champion will be chosen from among the 36 top Tongits masters that are competing. The winner will receive half of the ₱10,000,000 prize pool. The tournament will take place at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay City from March 7 to 8.

The qualified players were selected from a pool of GameZone Tongits players following an intense, multi-phase, eight-week online qualifying process that separated the best competitors. All of the 36 best players' expenses, including accommodation and travel support, will be paid for as they get ready for the official start of the main war. 

The top 12 finishers from a field of 36 players advance outright in the Tongits Plus Champions Cup (TPCC) Elimination Round, the first of three rounds. The remaining 24 competitors will move on to the Revival Round, where half of them will have another chance to participate in the initial qualifying round of the next stage.

The top nine players will advance and continue their title quest on the last day of the event after the Promotional Round, which ends on the first day. The tournament's historic opening day will conclude with the Semifinal on Day 2. 

At this level, the nine remaining competitors will fight for the three coveted spots in the final round. The most gifted player in the competition will be proclaimed the winner at the Grand Stage, which marks the end of the TPCC. The final rating and major prizes will also be awarded.

A side tournament will also take place, apart from the main competition, where players will vie for a share of the ₱500,000 prize pool. 

Tongits fans can watch the action unfold on the main TPCC stage alongside other events via the GameZone official website: gzone.ph

Experience the Real GameZone, visit the official website to know more about the tournament: https://gzone.ph/promotionV2/detail/130.

About DigiPlus

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging experiences in interactive gaming and sports entertainment. DigiPlus also operates GameZone with more to come. For more information visit www.digiplus.com.ph and https://gzone.ph/

DigiPlus strengthens player protection with surety bond for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection. We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded.” ~Eusebio H. Tanco, DigiPlus Chairman

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country's top digital entertainment provider and the owner of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, today announced a historic partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country's first domestic insurance provider.   Together, they have raised the standard for player protection by establishing the first-ever surety bond program for Filipino online gamers.   The application works right away.

Gamers will have more peace of mind every time they log in as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform's restrictions.   Whether they are casual players or die-hard fans celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even more safeguarded.

This program provides eligible athletes with an additional financial safety net.   Customers can use the surety bond to protect their player balances up to ₱1 million without purchasing a separate policy.

How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?

• Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.
• Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to ₱1 million per player.
• Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone.

DigiPlus' commitment to reliable customer service and protection is further cemented with the addition of the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and more than 130 physical BingoPlus locations nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trustworthy outlets for players.

With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus is setting new industry standards and offering its customers more security, confidence, and peace of mind in addition to innovative and enjoyable gaming alternatives.

About DigiPlus Interactive Corp.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, widely known for their engaging experiences in interactive gaming and sports entertainment. For more information, visit: www.digiplus.com.ph.

About PhilFirst

PhilFirst Insurance is the first Filipino domestic insurance company in the Philippines, offering a wide array of non-life insurance coverage to individuals and corporations.

Established in 1906, PhilFirst provides insurance services for homes, motor vehicles, personal accidents, travel, liability, marine, engineering, and bonds. The Company is dedicated to delivering excellent and personalized service to ensure customer satisfaction while addressing the needs of its partners, brokers, agents, and stakeholders.

We maintain a team of highly competent and motivated employees who adhere to our corporate values of excellence, integrity, creativity, innovation, and social responsibility.

At PhilFirst, we’re proud to bring our 119 years of insurance expertise into the digital entertainment space through this groundbreaking partnership with DigiPlus. Protecting the hard-earned funds of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone players reflects our promise to keep evolving with the market while staying true to our core mission: giving Filipinos peace of mind so they can fully enjoy life’s opportunities. This surety bond is more than a product – it’s proof that PhilFirst is ready to safeguard customers wherever innovation takes them.

Revolutionising Digital Entertainment in the Philippines

“The success of BingoPlus has paved the way for [DigiPlus] to undertake a strategic transformation to position itself as a digital entertainment platform.”

Putting the GAME in eGaming: DigiPlus utilizes cutting-edge technologies and a deep bench of experts from different spaces within the gaming industry.

Traditional bingo holds a significant place in Filipino culture, serving as a communal activity where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to enjoy, unwind, and establish meaningful connections during each session.

However, the gaming landscape underwent a substantial transformation due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, which led to quarantine restrictions prohibiting social gatherings. This global crisis accelerated the widespread adoption of digital technologies, particularly among the digitally savvy younger demographic, with a notable increase in Internet and smartphone usage in recent years.

For DigiPlus Interactive, a gaming and leisure company, this presented both a challenge and an opportunity. They found themselves at the forefront of driving the digitization of the Philippine gaming industry, aiming to create enjoyable experiences for players across various platforms in the evolving digital landscape.

DigiPlus Interactive has launched BingoPlus in January 2022. It is the first digital platform where bingo-loving Filipinos can play with the convenience of time and place by bringing the game live online. BingoPlus leverages the company’s deep understanding of its customers whilst bringing in innovation and technologies to offer new entertainment product formats to more Filipinos.

BingoPlus’ brick-and-mortar or traditional bingo operations also complemented the foray into the digital space. DigiPlus Interactive currently operates at least 200 bingo halls in different parts of the Philippines, which continue to be popular amongst Filipinos.

The strong performance of BingoPlus propelled the robust growth of DigiPlus. In 2022, DigiPlus posted a turnaround in its financial performance, with a net income of ₱686.9m coming from a net loss of ₱894.6m in the previous year. Furthermore, in the first nine months of 2023, DigiPlus registered a net income of ₱2.1b, more than a tenfold growth from 2022.

As the first and only government-licensed digital bingo platform in the country, BingoPlus is reshaping the country’s gaming industry. Continuing to dominate the digital gaming space, BingoPlus has opened up new opportunities, triggering a proliferation of online gaming platforms in the Philippines. This healthy competition fosters innovation and creativity that fundamentally benefits the customers.

The platform has also since become a community and entertainment platform, a source of revenue for the Philippine government, and a contributor to various social and educational non-profit programmes.

It added its plans of launching new and innovative game offerings to cater to broader demographics and lifestyle preferences.

The platform’s continued investment in research and development, as well as its efforts in revolutionising the digital gaming experience, has been lauded by the inaugural Asian Management Excellence Awards, with the company bringing home the Philippines Innovator of the Year - Media & Entertainment category win.

The coveted awards programme celebrates the finest business leaders, innovators, and companies in Asia, and commends exceptional achievements in the various aspects of operations, including employee engagement programmes, diversity and inclusion projects, and health and wellness initiatives.