DOST, MMSU win at Alt+Tab Fest, showcases innovative Egames

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2026-07-15. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ilocos Region, together with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), gained a place at the Level Up 2.0: Esports GameDev Challenge during the ALT+TAB Festival 2026. 

Held last June 20–21, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, the region featured BangSak: Water Rising—the winning entry from Region I, which highlighted the growing potential of homegrown game developers in the Ilocos Region.

Organized by the DOST National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) in partnership with Gridlock Games Studio, the festival served as a national platform for showcasing locally developed games, fostering collaboration, and strengthening engagement among game developers, students, educators, innovators, technology enthusiasts, publishers, investors, and other industry stakeholders. 

The two-day event highlighted how STI continues to drive the growth of the country's game development, esports, and digital creative industries.

Representing the Ilocos Region was the MMSU College of Computing and Information Sciences (MMSU-CCIS) through its student development team composed of Clinton Wayne Visaya, Jansen Espiritu Baloaloa, and Gabriel Jerickson Galapin, under the mentorship of Mr. Eloihim O. Baculpo, Instructor I. The team's participation was facilitated by Justin N. Madrid, Science Research Specialist II of DOST Ilocos Region, who served as the regional focal person for the activity.

BangSak: Water Rising is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Filipino hide-and-seek street game bangsak, transforming a familiar childhood pastime into an engaging multiplayer digital experience. 

Inspired by the landscapes and landmarks of Laoag City, the game challenges players to work together as hiders while rising floodwaters gradually engulf the neighborhood. Featuring Filipino-inspired environments and character customization, the game promotes local culture through immersive and interactive digital storytelling.

At the festival, BangSak: Water Rising was among the featured titles at the DOST Pavilion, where visitors experienced locally developed ‘indie games’ that showcased Filipino creativity, innovation, and technological excellence. 

The exhibit demonstrated the country's growing capabilities in game development and underscored the potential of locally developed digital innovations to compete on a broader stage.

The participation of MMSU was made possible through the continued support of DOST Ilocos Region, which actively nurtures the region's emerging game development ecosystem by empowering local developers, strengthening collaborations with higher education institutions, and creating opportunities for innovators to gain national exposure. 

Through initiatives such as the Level Up 2.0: Esports Game Dev Challenge and participation in national events like the ALT+TAB Festival, DOST Ilocos Region continues to encourage young developers to transform innovative ideas into impactful digital solutions while promoting Filipino culture through interactive technologies.

As the digital creative industry continues to expand, DOST Ilocos Region remains committed to advancing STI by supporting local game developers, fostering talent development, and building a vibrant regional innovation ecosystem. 

The successful participation of MMSU and BangSak: Water Rising demonstrates how strategic government support, academic excellence, and youth innovation can position the Ilocos Region as an emerging hub for game development in the Philippines.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Justin N. Madrid, DOST-Ilocos Region)