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PH Gaming Community Comes Together in The GAME Huddle: Mortal Kombat II Exclusive Screening

By Amiel Dugenia - May 06, 2026

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Members of the Philippine gaming and pop culture community gathered at Opus Mall for a high-energy night of film, nostalgia, and fandom as Warner Bros. Philippines and The GAME brought Mortal Kombat II to life.

Time to enter the arena!

Held recently, The GAME, together with Warner Brothers Philippines, brought fans and creators together for a special screening of Mortal Kombat II. Opus Mall served as the night’s venue partner, transforming its VIP cinema into a full-on battleground where nostalgia met cinematic spectacle.

Several personalities from the industry pulled up for the screening, adding to the night’s charged atmosphere. From content creators like Locar Gaming to iconic personalities including Alodia Gosengfiao, the guest list reflected the growing intersection between gaming culture and mainstream entertainment.

Man and woman in black outfits strike a fighting pose in a dim venue, The Game logo in the top-right corner.
Eric “Eruption” Tai and Alodia Gosengfiao Quimbo.

A growing arena

Smiling woman holds a teal game controller beside a Mortal Kombat poster that reads GET OVER HERE! and 'Only in cinemas May 6' in the background, with The Game logo top-right.
Streamer Kafi plays Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition on PS5.

Kicking off the evening was Modern Media Group Inc. COO and The GAME publisher Anne Bernisca, who formally welcomed the brand deeper into the gaming space as part of its expanding ecosystem alongside Rolling Stone Philippines, Billboard Philippines, and Robb Report Philippines.

“For us, it’s not just about observing culture, we want to be part of it, we want to grow it, and we want to amplify it,” Bernisca shared, emphasizing that the night was more than just a screening.

Woman presenter on stage holding a booklet, wearing a white lace top and dark wide‑leg jeans with heeled sandals; The Game logo appears in the top-right corner of the image.
Anne Bernisca, Modern Media Group Inc. COO and The GAME publisher.

She highlighted how gaming today goes beyond being a hobby, it serves  as a space for storytelling, competition, and more importantly, connection. More than anything, the Huddle not only stood as a gathering for a community, it also continues to shape the culture.

“This community understands that gaming is no longer a hobby. It’s storytelling, it’s competition, and camaraderie at the same time. It’s connection, it’s identity, so that’s why it’s very important for us,” Bernisca said.

Man on stage speaking into a microphone while holding a cue card that says 'GAME HUDDLE', with 'THE GAME' logo in the upper right corner.
Sid Ventura, Chief of Editorial Content of The GAME.

Following this, Sid Ventura, Chief of Editorial Content of The GAME, emphasized how initiatives like the Huddle aim to empower the Filipino gaming community.

“Through events like this, The GAME continues to expand its conversation, from sports and athletes to the wider culture surrounding them, including esports, gaming, and everything in between,”

It’s fight night.

Group of four people seated in dark, plush theater seats at a gaming event, with drinks on small tables and reserved signs nearby; a yellow THE GAME logo appears in the top-right corner.
AP Bren all set for Mortal Kombat II.

Before the screening, Bonch Santos, Marketing Lead of Warner Bros. Discovery welcomed guests into the arena, encouraging everyone to fully embrace the experience, through catching easter eggs and reacting to every hard-hitting moment and all the fatalities.

“This film is specifically for you guys, the ones who grew up mastering combos, fatalities, and hearing the iconic words echo in your heads, FINISH HIM,” Santos said.

Once the film rolled, the cinema came alive. Cheers broke out at familiar characters, iconic lines echoed across the room, and every finishing move drew energy from a crowd that grew up with the franchise.

Finish him.

Group of friends smiling and chatting indoors, a man holds a microphone and a paper as others gather around him, casual wear and bags visible, logo in corner.
Post-fight conversations hit just as hard.

The guests stayed for post-screening socials, exchanging reactions, breaking down favorite scenes, and connecting over a shared love for the iconic franchise. The screening turned into a full-circle community moment. It bridged gaming, film, and culture in one night.

And as Bernisca closed, the message was clear: this is only the beginning. With more Huddles on the horizon, The GAME is set on building more spaces where gamers, creators, and fans can come together, not just to watch, but to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

This marks The GAME’s first Huddle dedicated to the gaming community and it’s only the beginning.

With more spaces like this in the future, the brand continues its push to bring together gamers, creators, and fans, shining a spotlight on a community that’s not just growing, but already world class.

Images by Enzo Santos.

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Amiel Dugenia

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