The first Manila Meetups was an absolute success, bringing together close to a hundred local streamers and content creators for a night of fun, friendship, and good vibes! Powered by Twitch.tv and co-organized by Twitch Philippines, the event aimed to strengthen the local streaming community and build those much-needed connections. Held at the cozy Zeppelin Lounge in Pasig, the night was filled with great food, drinks, games, Pokémon gacha, music, raffles, and even some epic Beyblade battles!
I spent some time chatting with a few of the streamers and content creators who attended, and honestly, we talked about anything and everything. They shared some fascinating stories and valuable insights, and everyone was super friendly and easygoing. Hanging out with them really makes you feel like part of the streaming community—everyone was so welcoming, and the energy was just chill and fun all around.
“Manila Meetups has been two years in the making, and it’s finally come together! We’re here to teach people how to stream, which isn’t always easy because it’s hard to find the right people to talk to about it. Our first meetup was back in 2018 as part of the Rumble Royale and Streamers PH initiative, and although only a fraction of the attendees from that event are here today, seeing the growth of the Twitch streaming community from all of the new faces tonight is really exciting.
The Philippines and Southeast Asia have often been overlooked, and it can feel like there’s a lack of support for creators here. We’ve applied for for Twitch’s community support program for three years and have proven that we have the talent and passion to make things happen. The application and interview process has been long and challenging, but this event shows that we have a strong community behind us.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who came out—it feels like a reunion of familiar faces. I’m already looking forward to more Manila Meetups, and the goal is to make this a twice-yearly event. What’s even more special is that this is the first one of its kind in SEA, and we’re just getting started!”
“We really pushed and worked hard to make the Manila Meetups happen because we believe so strongly in the Twitch community here in the Philippines. It’s amazing to finally see everyone under one roof, even though they come from different groups. Our team put in sleepless nights to bring this together, and it’s been a real labor of love.
We’re doing all of this on our own—using our time, money, and effort. We’re not making any profit from this event, and for transparency, any extra funds we raise will go directly into making future events happen. We need all the support we can get, whether that’s by attending or helping in any way possible. At the end of the day, we’re doing this because we love the Twitch Philippines community. Basta masaya sila, masaya din kami.“
“I used to manage a Twitch team and was part of the original admin team here in the Philippines, so I’ve seen how far the community has come. For the Manila Meetups, I’m helping out with logistics and supplies to make sure everything runs smoothly. Big shoutouts to Shock Rizal, behaviour, and TheTechTourist!
One thing I believe is that Twitch should be more inclusive. The Twitch Partner parties are great, but I think affiliates should be included as well—they’re an important part of the community, too.
The Twitch community in the Philippines is strong and growing. Our local streaming culture is vibrant, and it’s amazing to see how much it’s evolved. But honestly, none of this would have happened if Seika hadn’t taken the initiative to apply for the Twitch community support program. We owe a lot to that effort.”
“I help VTubers and independent creators by representing them through Zone Check One to ensure they have the right opportunities and support to grow their platforms. VTubers are virtual streamers who use digital avatars, and this unique form of content creation has been gaining significant popularity here in the Philippines. It’s exciting to see how more people are embracing the concept, both as fans and as creators.
One thing I always explain is that VTuber culture is quite closely tied to idol culture. Much like idols, VTubers cultivate a dedicated fanbase that follows their growth, supports their journey, and interacts with them on a more personal level. It’s not just about entertainment but also about building a connection between the creator and the community. This blend of performance and community engagement is what’s driving the growth of VTuber culture, especially in local circles.”
“I had to quit streaming and gaming when I switched to a Mac, mostly because it’s less powerful for gaming, but on the plus side, it helped me save a lot of money. Before that, I was really into Overwatch and played it a lot. When I stopped gaming, my dad gave me a bike, and what I didn’t realize at the time was that cycling as a hobby is a real rabbit hole—you start with one bike and before you know it, you’re deep into the cycling world.
Now, I absolutely love cycling. In my first year alone, I ended up owning three bikes! It’s become a major passion of mine. As for streaming, I’d love to get back into it if I could find a way to combine my love for cycling with it, like streaming a cycling game that uses extra hardware or real cycling gear. That would definitely be the perfect reason to come back to streaming.”
“It’s really important to play games that don’t leave you feeling exhausted, especially when you’re streaming for long hours. For me, Teamfight Tactics (TFT) is a great example of a game that keeps me energized rather than tired. It actually motivates me to keep improving, which is why I’ve even participated in tournaments, including the Las Vegas Open. Competing on that level has been an exciting part of my journey as a streamer.
Right now, I’m really into playing JRPGs. Again, choosing games that don’t drain you is key, especially since streaming can take up so much time and energy. Prioritizing your health should always come first—you want to enjoy the process and keep your energy up for your audience.”
“For me, it’s not so much about finding balance in all my responsibilities—it’s more about sorting them by priority and urgency. I manage my content creation, gigs, and schoolwork by focusing on what needs immediate attention and what’s most important at any given moment. It’s crucial not to take on too many things at once, or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed.
I recently made the switch to Twitch, and luckily, I was able to bring my Genshin Impact audience with me from the previous platform without any issues. That transition was a huge relief, and I’m grateful that my community supported me through the move.”
“I started out on Twitch as an active viewer and eventually got invited to play, which was an exciting shift for me. My reputation as a Valorant coach helped me connect with a lot of people in the community. From there, I began hosting local community events, which were modeled after Twitch Rivals but with a more casual, fun twist. We called it Dodge Rivals, and it allowed viewers to participate directly. We held the event three times, featuring different games each time—Valorant, League of Legends, and Apex Legends.
For me, it’s important to engage with every community, and Dodge Rivals was a passion project that let me do that in a meaningful way. It was a lot of fun, and seeing people come together through these events was incredibly rewarding.
At tonight’s Manila Meetups, I was able to meet even more new friends. It’s really easy to make connections by asking questions and talking about shared interests, like the games we play or people we know in the scene.”
“I started live streaming recently because I was dealing with extreme loneliness. I figured that talking to someone on screen, even virtually, was better than not having anyone to talk to at all. At the time, I thought maybe I could become a ‘Twitch unicorn’—you know, someone who stands out and does something unique and becomes an overnight success story.
I’ve always loved playing Ace Attorney and Wild Rift. The Ace Attorney series is a real passion of mine, although I have to admit, I find real-life lawyers pretty boring in comparison!
I’ve been part of the Twitch PH Discord for quite a while now, and I came to the Manila Meetups because Seika posted about it. I’m really glad I made it because my night turned out to be a great success. It’s still too early to say if I’ll continue livestreaming long-term, but for now, I’m enjoying the experience.”
“I’ve been inactive on Twitch for a while and took a break from social media, too. During that time, I got really hooked on Beyblades. When I saw the announcement for the Manila Meetups, I jokingly asked if I could add a Beyblade event, not expecting anything to come of it. To my surprise, Seika agreed!
Even though Beyblade isn’t an official esport, I love pushing for competitive activities, and Beyblades definitely have that competitive spirit. I want to give a huge thanks to Beyblade Multiverse for sponsoring the event and providing prizes. Beyblade Multiverse is run by a father and his two kids, and they focus on showcasing and selling rare Beyblades, which really helped make this event special.”
Having passionate members of the streaming community organize events like the Manila Meetups is truly inspiring. As these gatherings continue to grow, they not only strengthen the bonds within the local community but also position Twitch as the go-to platform for content creators. By fostering a space where streamers can regularly connect, hang out, and collaborate, events like these help create a vibrant and supportive ecosystem that makes Twitch more than just a platform—it’s a thriving community.
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