Rowena Garcia of Bulacan has become the first woman to win the GameZone Tour Season 5 Tong Its Championship, claiming the ₱500,000 top prize and the coveted Championship Ring at the Grand Finals held Saturday in Merville, Parañaque.
Her victory marks an important turning point in the five-season history of GameZone Tour, a competition that has steadily advanced Tong Its from a beloved household game to a recognized national tournament. Garcia’s win, following four male champions, reflects the growing inclusivity and competitive spirit of the event.
Garcia, competing as the Alas ng Bulacan, emerged victorious after a season that ran from August 3 to September 19. The tournament’s format required players to accumulate points across daily playdates, with only the top nine advancing to the final table. From there, the field narrowed to three and, ultimately, to Garcia as the last player standing.
The Grand Finals featured a ₱1 million prize pool distributed among the top nine finishers. Richard Funtilar, representing Quezon Province, took home ₱200,000 for second place, while Donato Ebuena of Rizal received ₱100,000 for third. Each finalist arrived at the table on the strength of season-long performance, not a single-night win.
Ava Castillo, GameZone’s official spokesperson, noted during the press conference that Tong Its is deeply woven into the fabric of Filipino life. “Almost every Filipino family knows Tong Its. You learn it at home, and you play it with your friends. What GameZone does is bring that same table online—the same people, just digital,” she said.
Previous champions included Mark Austria, Benigno de Guzman Casayuran, Jomar Sapo-an, and Ahrold Tubig. Garcia’s addition to the list as the first female titleholder highlights the evolving landscape of competitive Tong Its.
The finalists, each carrying the title “Alas” of their respective hometowns, reflected the grassroots nature of the game, which is played from household to household and town to town. GameZone Tour has provided a professional platform for this tradition, establishing published standings, a structured season, and a final table.
Beyond competition, GameZone also introduced GoodZone, its community program that partners with Bless the Children Foundation to deliver feeding initiatives. This initiative, highlighted at the event, signals the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
GameZone ambassador and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao congratulated Garcia through a video message, underscoring the championship’s growing profile. With Season 6 set for the fourth quarter of 2026, the platform continues its mission to blend tradition, competition, and community engagement for Filipino card game enthusiasts.