MPL Philippines expands beyond esports competition for Season 17 as Universal Music Group Philippines partners with MOONTON Games to launch an official league anthem titled “Palag Na ’To,” performed by singer-songwriter Janine Berdin.
The collaboration ties music directly into the MPL PH Season 17 Playoffs experience, aiming to merge competitive gaming with original Filipino music as the league builds toward its postseason stage at the San Juan Arena.
MPL PH expands into music-driven esports experience
The partnership introduces a structured music identity for MPL PH, positioning the league as a hybrid esports and entertainment platform.
Rather than serving as background content, the anthem will be integrated into live broadcasts, arena events, and festival activations throughout the season. Organizers say this move is part of a broader push to deepen fan engagement beyond match results and standings.
Janine Berdin leads official Season 17 anthem
Singer and songwriter Janine Berdin fronts the project, contributing both vocals and songwriting for the MPL PH theme.
Berdin, who is also an active Mobile Legends: Bang Bang player, built the track around her experience in ranked play and competitive culture. Her involvement adds an authentic player perspective to the anthem rather than a purely commercial collaboration.
The track is expected to debut during Season 17 Playoffs festivities, aligning with MPL PH’s “Lakas ng Pinas” campaign.
MPL PH Playoffs evolve into hybrid esports festival
The music partnership coincides with MPL PH’s expansion of its playoff format into a full-scale festival experience.
Live performances from OPM artists will now run alongside match days, turning the postseason into a combined esports and music event. This builds on the league’s strategy of positioning MPL PH as a cultural platform rather than a standalone competitive circuit.
With the playoffs set at San Juan Arena, organizers are integrating fan zones, stage performances, and team activations alongside live matches.
The collaboration reflects MPL PH’s ongoing shift toward entertainment-driven esports, where broadcast presentation and fan experience play a larger role in league identity.
As the regular season heads into its final weeks, the anthem rollout adds another layer of branding pressure ahead of the playoffs. Teams will not only compete for championship spots but also play under a more theatrically presented postseason environment.
With MPL Philippines continuing to grow its cultural footprint, Season 17 now stands as one of its most production-heavy and entertainment-focused splits to date.
