The road to greatness runs through Manila once again. From September 5 to 7, 2025, Flesh and Blood TCG players from across the region—and possibly the world—will gather for Battle Hardened: Manila, one of the most anticipated international TCG events in Southeast Asia. Hosted by Unbox and streamed live by media partner VRSUS, the event marks another major milestone in the country’s growing reputation as a premier Flesh and Blood hub.
A $1.5M World Tour Stop Right Here at Home
Battle Hardened (BH) events are part of Legend Story Studios’ $1,500,000 Pro Play circuit, also known as the World Tour. These tournaments offer a substantial $2,000+ prize pool, a Gold Cold Foil, and a Pro Tour Invitation (PTI)—a golden ticket that can be redeemed at any Pro Tour or World Championship in the future. For many aspiring players, this event is the best shot at making it to the international stage.
The format hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but speculation is leaning toward Classic Constructed, a format that rewards mastery of deep card pools and strong meta knowledge.
And it’s not just about the main event—Super Armory Friday kicks off the weekend with a massive prize pool packed with a full month’s worth of Armory Kit promos, while Sunday’s event will likely be a ProQuest+ tournament—also in Classic Constructed. As with most BH weekends, there will also be side events, vendors, and guest artists, making it a full-on Flesh and Blood celebration.
A Proven Battleground for Filipino Greatness
This won’t be the first time the Philippines is in the Battle Hardened spotlight. In fact, this marks the third BH event on home soil. The first took place back in February 2-4, 2024, featuring the Blitz format. It was a proud moment for the local scene, as Justin Cu, who would later become National Champion, took home the win with Victor. The accompanying Pro Tour Invite event was won by none other than Richard Anthony “Kampai” Bustamante, the country’s first National Champ, using Bravo in Classic Constructed.
Later that same year, Battle Hardened returned as part of Calling: Manila on August 16-18, 2024. That one was also Blitz, and it was conquered by Eugene C. from Hong Kong, widely recognized as the best Rhinar player in the world.
PH Players Who’ve Made Their Mark
While only one Filipino—Justin Cu—has claimed a BH championship so far, a few have built strong resumes with Top 8 finishes in these prestigious events. Among them:
- Carlo Ople – Most Top 8s with five across multiple regions!
- Andre See
- Trix Ferreras
- Franco Regalado
- Dave Versoza
- Mark Octavio
- Mikko Pena
These names continue to inspire the community, proving that Filipino players can stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
The VRSUS x Unbox Partnership
As the official media partner, VRSUS will be streaming the event and covering all the action, from key matches to community highlights. If you’re not able to play, tuning in is the next best thing—expect high-level commentary, deck techs, and plenty of local flavor throughout the broadcast.
The Hook is Set—Reel Them In
If you’ve been playing FaB casually or watching from the sidelines, Battle Hardened: Manila is the perfect chance to get your first real taste of high-stakes competitive play. But this weekend is more than just a tournament. It’s a showcase of how passionate, skilled, and welcoming the Philippine Flesh and Blood scene has become. Come for the PTI. Stay for the people.
We’ll see you in September!
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