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Draft:Bernard Chong

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Bernard Chong, also known as Bernard “Bren” Chong, (born December 25, 1980) is a Filipino angel investor, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a founder in Philippine gaming. His investment portfolio spans traditional enterprises and technology ventures, including gaming, retail, real estate, entertainment, and food and beverage. Bernard has attained multiple recognitions and top-of-world rankings in mobile gaming,[1][2] Bernard Chong is the founder of the championship-winning mobile gaming team AP Bren (previously known as Bren Esports), co-owner of Synergy88 Studios[3], and scion of the Chong clan that owns World Balance.

Early Life and Education

From a young age, Bernard claimed to have entrepreneurial interests alongside a passion for gaming, comics, and animation. As early as grade school, Chong began selling products from their family shoe business, World Balance. During his university years, he ventured into several businesses, most notably in the recycling industry[4].

Bernard Chong attended De La Salle University in Manila, where he obtained a degree in Electronics Computer Engineering from the Gokongwei College of Engineering. In 2001, Chong and his thesis group published a thesis on the efficacy and implementation of a communication system powered by two-way TV microwave receivers, which they developed.[5]

Career

After completing his education at De La Salle, he returned to his family business and helped bring the World Balance footwear brand to prominence, with over 200 store locations and collaborations with Binibining Pilipinas, Disney, Star Wars, and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).[4][6][7][8][9][10] During this time, he diversified his portfolio through several other investments. Bernard has held stakes in animation – ASI Studios; communications – Energy FM; food and beverage – Tim Hortons/Kko Kko; entertainment – RKB Productions; IT – Thirty-One Digital/Beepbeep.ph; BrenPro Inc. and Mineski Events Team[11].

In 2017, Chong founded Bren Esports.[12] Under his direction as the chief executive officer, the organization’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team won the M-series World Championship title in 2021, marking a significant achievement in Philippine esports. [12] Bernard's BrenPro Inc. is also a founding corporation of The Nationals, the first-ever esports franchise model league in the Philippines, launching its operations in 2019. The league offered a platform for Filipino esports athletes to be selected for tournaments sanctioned by the SEA Games, the Asian Games, and the Olympics.[13]

AP Bren

AP Bren, formerly Bren Esports, is a Southeast Asian professional esports organization based in the Philippines. AP Bren has fielded competitive teams in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, CS:GO, PUBG, League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Clash Royale, Arena of Valor, Rules of Survival, Valorant, and Tekken.[14] In the Philippine esports league The Nationals, the team competes as Bren EPro. The organization was founded on August 16, 2017, by Bernard "Bren" Chong who is part of the Chong clan that owns World Balance.[12]

In July 2023, the esports team was purchased by Aces Pro Corp., replacing the longtime chief executive officer of Bren with Jean Alphonse “AJ” Ponce.[15] The newly-acquired team adopted its current name, AP Bren.[16]

On December 10, 2023, AP Bren became the first organization to win two world titles and the first team to win the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship on home soil. AP Bren was also the first Philippine team to win the M-Series. [15]

Philanthropy

The BrenSEED Foundation

In 2023, Chong established the BrenSEED Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on global education. The BrenSEED Foundation is dedicated to empowering aspiring leaders worldwide by providing transformative educational resources and comprehensive professional development opportunities across industries.[17][18]

Film Production

Barangay 143 (2018)

Bernard Chong is known for his work on the award-winning Barangay 143, contributing as an executive producer, creator, and writer for the Filipino-Singaporean anime series.[19] The show reached Netflix Asia’s top ten “most watched titles” after its debut on the popular streaming platform.[20]

Dino Girl Gauko (2019)

Bernard served as an executive producer for the animated Netflix series Dino Girl Gauko, which premiered in late 2019 and released its second season in March 2020.

Other production credits

Chong is also credited as an executive producer for Love Is Love (2019) and Shady Grove (2022).

Drug trafficking allegations (2021)

In 2021, Bernard Chong was issued an arrest warrant by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines for alleged involvement in importing illegal drugs. The case centered on a shipment of methamphetamines discovered at the Manila port, which was initially linked to Fortuneyield, a company where Chong had served as CEO until 2019.

Court documents later identified Wealth Lotus Empire Corp. as the actual consignee of the shipment, exonerating Fortuneyield. Chong appealed the case, arguing that the initial court lacked jurisdiction and had abused its discretion. In May 2023, the Court of Appeals dropped all charges against him.[21]

Falsified receipts allegations (2023)

In May 2023, the NBI filed a case against Bernard Chong and Brenterprise International Inc. employees for allegedly printing fraudulent receipts. The Department of Justice (DOJ) court ruled that the evidence was insufficient and the allegations lacked probable cause, leading to the dismissal of the case.[22]

Personal Life

Bernard Chong currently resides in Beverly Hills, CA, and is a father. He enjoys hobbies such as LEGOs, chess, reading, and comic books.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Big Three". Lords Mobile.
  2. ^ "Account Overview - Bren Chong - Lords Mobile". YouTube. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Synergy88". Synergy88 Digital. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Au, Jeremy (24 December 2023). "Bernard Chong: Acquittal of False Drug Smuggling Allegations, Childhood with World Balance and Building Philipines' eSports Community with AP.Bren - E360". Brave SEA. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  5. ^ Ang, Janus; Chong, Bernard; Ramos, Jonathan (January 2001). "Two way TV microwave receiver". Bachelor's Theses. De La Salle University. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  6. ^ "LIST: 4 things you need to know about proudly Filipino company World Balance | Philstar.com". www.philstar.com. Philstar Global. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ^ "World Balance empowers Binibining Pilipinas candidates". Lifestyle.INQ. Lifestyle Inquirer. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ^ Terrado, Reuben (2 June 2021). "LOOK: World Balance, Disney collab for an Independence Day collection". Spin.ph. Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
  9. ^ Martelino, Ashley (28 October 2019). "Out of This World, This Star Wars Sneaker Collection Is". Spot.ph. Summit Digital. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  10. ^ "PBA partners with World Balance as the official licensed merchandise provider". BusinessMirror. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Portfolio - Bren Holdings". Bren Holdings.
  12. ^ a b c Dannug, Jonash (30 January 2021). "How Bernard Chong's passion led to BREN Esports". Tiebreaker Times. Bandwagon Wire, Inc. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  13. ^ "First esports franchise league in PH launches". ESPN.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  14. ^ Manaloto, Nicolo (16 August 2018). "Bren Esports celebrates 1st Anniversary with bang!". UnGeek. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b Elona, Jules (3 July 2023). "AP Esports, Bren Esports form AP Bren for MPL PH | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. One Esports. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  16. ^ Coloma, Angela (3 July 2023). "esports: Bren Esports welcomes new ownership, renames to AP Bren as it partners with AP Esports". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News Channel. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Bren Seed Foundation from Los Angeles, CA – company details". www.bizprofile.net.
  18. ^ "About Us — The BrenSEED Foundation". The BrenSEED Foundation. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Barangay 143". TV Asahi, ASI Animation Studios. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Top Netflix title 'Barangay 143' available on POPTV". The Daily Tribune. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  21. ^ Šimić, Ivan (9 May 2023). "Drug case dropped against Bren Esports CEO Bernard Chong". Esports Insider. Esports Insider Limited. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  22. ^ Cordero, Ted (4 February 2024). "DOJ clears Bren Esports owner of falsification raps". GMA News Online. GMA Network.
  23. ^ Jaramillo, John (22 April 2024). "Episode 92: Bernard Chong & Sam Walton: Made In America". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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