14/07/2025
They said gaming ruins lives. Honestly? It saved mine.
I’m Paul. I’m from Laguna.
And this is how DOTA gave me the life my own family never could.
I’m the youngest of three.
When my mom gave birth to me, she didn’t survive.
Since then, my father saw me as the reason she was gone.
My brothers?
Smart. Talented. Everything a father could be proud of.
Me?
Nothing but a shadow.
Not good in school.
Not good at anything.
Every day was shouting.
Blaming.
Hitting.
I was never enough.
Until one night, I left.
No plans. No money. Just pain.
I became a parking boy.
I cleaned strangers’ shoes for coins.
I slept on sidewalks.
I did whatever I could to survive.
Then one day, I met a group of street kids.
They invited me to join them.
And I did.
But a few days later, I realized who they really were.
They stole.
They smoked.
They lived dangerously.
So I told the leader:
“I don’t want this. I want to leave.”
That’s when they snapped.
They punched me.
Kicked me.
Surrounded me.
I was curled up on the ground, crying.
Begging them to stop.
And then suddenly, a loud voice cut through the chaos.
“HOY! Tama na yan!”
It was Kuya Kevs
A retired military man.
The owner of the nearby computer shop.
The gang ran.
I was left there, bruised, bleeding, and shaking.
He helped me up.
Brought me home.
Let me clean up. Fed me warm food.
And he listened.
I told him everything.
All of it.
And he said:
“You can stay here for now.
I’ll hire you as the shop cleaner.
₱150 a day.
Until you get back on your feet.”
That night, I felt safe for the first time in years.
A few days later, I asked him:
“Kuya… can I play? Just one hour. I’ll pay.”
He laughed.
“You don’t have to pay. Sit down, I’ll teach you.”
And just like that, I touched a mouse and keyboard for the first time.
I didn’t know anything.
But Kuya Kevs taught me.
And I learned.
Day by day.
Game by game.
Mid lane.
Puck.
I found joy.
I found control.
I found peace.
Soon, regular players started inviting me to small tournaments.
Some of them even bet money just to have me on their team.
Then one day, Kuya Kevs asked:
“You wanna join a big tournament?”
I said no.
I was saving my money to return to school.
But he said:
“I’ll sponsor everything.
And if we win, I’ll cover your tuition.
All the way to college.”
We joined.
We fought hard.
We placed 2nd.
But when the crowd cheered,
I couldn’t stop the tears.
For the first time in my life,
I was admired.
Not ignored.
Not blamed.
Just… seen.
After the event, Kuya Kevs handed me a folder.
Inside was a scholarship document.
“I had this ready,” he said.
“I just wanted you to believe in yourself first.”
Today, I’m an I.T. graduate.
Working as I.T. Specialist at a BPO company in BGC.
And I still visit Kuya Kevs.
The retired soldier who gave me purpose.
Who gave me a future.
My father?
He doesn't say sorry.
But he looks at me now
with pride. And that's enough.
“They left me in the dark, but a game gave me light and a stranger gave me a reason to fight.”
