Village Connect
From a sewing machine in Rizal to the bright lights of Muntinlupa’s FilInvest Tent, tailor Jomar Sapo-an stitched together the biggest win of his life—bagging ₱5 million and the golden trophy at GameZone’s 3rd Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC): September Arena, the country’s largest tongits competition to date.
From Bohol to Rizal: A Family Man’s Journey
Originally from Bohol, Jomar now lives in Rizal with his wife and two children. For years, his world revolved around tailoring clothes for clients and providing for his family. But his wife—his self-proclaimed number one fan—encouraged him to join the tournament. Nervous at first, especially since it was his debut in a professional tongits setting, Jomar took the leap of faith.
“Inaalay ko po ang panalong ito sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa asawa ko. Siya ang nag-push sakin na pumunta rito. Nag-pray lang po ako kay God—kung para sa akin, para sa akin,” he shared, visibly emotional as he lifted his hands to the skies.
A Tournament of Titans
The GTCC: September Arena ran from September 20 to 21 and gathered 36 of the country’s top tongits players. With a staggering ₱10 million prize pool, it set a new benchmark for competitive tongits in the Philippines.
On the final day, it all came down to two reserve players: Jomar and Erlinda. Erlinda opened strong, leading the first round with 10,600 points. But Jomar, drawing on both skill and grit, turned the tables with a razor-thin 500-point margin—securing the championship in dramatic fashion.
“This is not just luck. All the players are masters of the game. It was tough, but I gave everything,” Jomar humbly remarked.
More Than Just a Game
For Jomar, the win is life-changing. When asked about his plans for the prize money, he answered without hesitation: “Unang una po, lupa’t bahay para sa pamilya. Hindi pa po namin napag-uusapan kung sa Maynila o Bohol, pero iyon po ang unang gagawin namin.”
But beyond the thrill of victory, the event itself was a celebration of values. GameZone, the tournament organizer, emphasized not only competition but also responsible gaming, community spirit, and social contribution. Out of the prize pool, ₱1 million was donated to the Kalusugan Plus initiative through the BingoPlus Foundation, a program chosen by the gaming community to support public welfare and development.
Hospitality and Heart
What made the GTCC stand out wasn’t only the high stakes but also the hospitality. Each player could bring one companion, with GameZone covering a five-day, all-expense-paid hotel stay complete with meals—an experience that made families feel part of the journey.
According to Rafael Jasper Vicencio, President of Gamemaster Integrated Inc., “GameZone is more than entertainment. It’s about creating life-changing moments for players while also giving back to the community.”
Champions for Change
For Jomar, the tournament ended with a golden trophy, a once-in-a-lifetime payday, and an unforgettable memory of triumph. For GameZone, it marked another milestone in building a platform where passion for Filipino games can meet purpose.
In the end, it wasn’t just a tailor’s story of victory, but proof that dreams—when fueled by faith, family, and perseverance—can truly turn into champions’ gold.
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