Pinoy Dota veteran Carlo "Kuku" Palad. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – Carlo "Kuku" Palad has been a staple name in Philippine esports for more than a decade now.
Kuku, now 28, has had a share of the spotlight—whether be it positive or negative. Perhaps that's the effect of being in the scene for so long.
He had made waves as a player in the original Dota 1, but one of his more notable feats was when TNC Pro Team made it to Top 7th-8th of The International (TI) 2016 by hammering then-dominant and top-ranked OG, which boasted the likes of prime Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi, Johan "N0tail" Sundstein, David "MoonMeander" Tan, Andreas "Cr1t-" Nielsen, Andreas "Cr1t-" Nielsen, and coach Sébastien "Ceb" Debs.
No one could take that away from him as the "Philippine Huskar," backed by standouts Polo "Raven" Fausto, Samson "Sam_H" Hidalgo, Nico "eyyou" Barcelon, and most especially Jimmy "DeMoN" Ho's Dazzle did the seemingly impossible back in 2016, dominating OG 2-0 in the lower bracket.
Up until now, "OG" (original) fans still return to that dream run by the Filipinos.
To say the least, Kuku's heroics did not end there.
In 2019, the Dota veteran placed 9th-12th with an all-Filipino TNC Predator. By then, he had moved from the mid-lane to the offlane position.
At The International 2021, with a totally different roster in T1, he placed 7th-8th—tying his highest result by far at Dota's biggest stage. He was, by then, with compatriot Karl Matthew "Karl" Baldovino, also a maestro at the mid-lane.
But the Aegis of Champions has continuously eluded Kuku.
READ: Dota 2: Boom Esports dashes Talon's Aegis hopes, qualifies at TI 2025
He again missed his chances of getting a world championship in Dota 2, absorbing back-to-back losses at the recently concluded TI 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) qualifiers.
READ: Dota 2: 5-man Pinoy Team Nemesis marches on to TI 2025
Talon Esports (now called Flipster Talon due to a partnership) was subdued by an all-Pinoy stack Team Nemesis and fellow SEA squad Boom Esports, both in 2-1 fashion.
Despite hitting strides with his current team, Kuku has retained his sights on participating at TI, much less winning it altogether.
He also took those losses in grace, underscoring that in any esports contest, there will be gains and defeats.
"Kasi sa buhay Dota talaga, may mga win at mga loss. Pero mas masakit lang 'yung mga big tournaments, lalo kunwari TI," Kuku said.
"Ilang years ko na rin chine-chase 'yung makalaro ulit sa TI kasi parang TI10 'yung pinaka-last ko, eh TI14 na. So, ayun nabigo na naman. Ta-try ulit ng next year if ever na may opportunity pa mag-compete," he went on.
READ: GGWP! Kuku, Flipster Talon finish Top 3 in DreamLeague S26
His team, Talon, is highly regarded as the best team in the Southeast Asian region right now, also joined by Nuengnara "23savage" Teeramahanon of Thailand, Rafli "Mikoto" Fathur Rahman and Tri "Jhocam" Kuncoro of Indonesia, and Chung "Ws" Wei Shen of Malaysia.
They recently reached the podium at DreamLeague Season 26, winning $80,000 in cash prizes including a $25,000 club reward.
Kuku with his current team, Flipster Talon. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
'GODFATHER OF PHILIPPINE DOTA'
Due to his veteran experience and efforts to bring Pinoy pride to the world stage, Kuku was dubbed the "Godfather of Philippine Dota."
Asked about his thoughts on the moniker, Kuku said perhaps it was because of his will to help fellow Filipino players in the professional ranks.
"Parang nagsimula ako, Dota 1 pa lang. So, mas maaga pa sa 2015. Tapos hanggang ngayon, nagko-compete pa rin ako," Palad said.
"'Yung ibang mga Pinoy na players, tina-try ko pa rin tulungan sila. Kahit 'di ko sila ka-team or something na ganito-ganyan. Basta kaibigan or nagta-try na mag-ask sa akin. Parang may nabibigay pa rin ng mga tips sa kanila. So, 'di ko naman sila pinagdadamutan."
Kuku added in jest, "'Di naman ako sobrang tanda. So, 'di ko lang sure bakit ako natawag na gan'yan."
He was happy for the opportunity to still compete professionally after more than ten years and the ability to be of service to fellow Pinoys who aim to be the best in the scene.
"Masaya ako sa nagagawa ko na hanggang ngayon nagko-compete ako," said the decorated pro player. "And, 'yung naririnig kong mga good comments sa ibang tao na parang may tulong pala 'yung ibang napapayo ko."
He had rebranded himself lately as "BossKu" — rightfully so — but for some, and we asked him about it, "Kuku" is still fine.
No matter what names should he be called, Kuku had earned the well-deserved right to be called as the local Dota community's "Godfather."
Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
KUKU'S LOVE FOR THE GAME
Palad acknowledged that throughout his life, it was all about competing in Dota and "it's already in his blood."
He had no regrets and qualms choosing this computer game, and it's just a bonus that he has a paying salary and had won prizes.
"'Yung Dota sa akin, parang lagpas kalahati na ng buhay ko. So, matagal na talaga akong nagko-computer games," he said.
"Nasa dugo ko talaga 'yung mag-compete and 'yung Dota 'yung napili ko. So, sobrang halaga niya sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung paano masabi, pero 'yun talaga. Parang buhay ko na rin talaga 'yung Dota."
The "Godfather" might have played for different organizations since 2015 — from Mineski to Talon — but his gratitude remained the same for the rosters he got included in.
"For me, parang grateful ako sa parang lahat ng napapasok kong org and sa mga nagiging teammates ko," he said.
"Kasi tulad na ito sa Talon, if ever na may parang roster changes din kami kasi hindi rin kami ganun ka-okay 'yung line-up talaga. Parang shaky din. And parang nabigyan nila ako opportunity na ako 'yung mag-captain and mag-lead sa kanila."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR KUKU AND TALON FOR NOW?
Kuku said he still could not see himself doing other than playing Dota professionally, "Hindi pa sa ngayon."
The seasoned Dota player said he will try to be part of the scene as long as he could — even if the prizes or salaries go down due to unseen circumstances.
Kuku reiterated that his goal remained the same: claiming the Aegis of Champions.
"Dito na kasi ako lumaki, and parang bonus na lang talaga 'yung nari-receive kong mga salary or prize," he said.
"And kahit siguro na lumiit naman 'yung prize pool or 'yung salary, andito pa rin ako na magko-compete hangga't hindi ko pa nakukuha 'yung Aegis," he added.
READ: Dota 2: Kuku, Flipster Talon clinch Esports World Cup spot
The Kuku-captained Talon's foreseeable future is ensured, having been qualified in the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event has a prize pool total of $3-million. But to collect the lion's share of that, Dota giants such as Parivision, BetBoom Team, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, and the likes will stand in their way.
"Gusto kong ma-achieve unang-una 'yung magandang resulta sa Riyadh," said the Flipster Talon skipper.
"Tapos, if ever man na magkakasama-sama kami pa rin, kunwari 'yung mga players, same pa rin. Sana sa next TI, makapasok," Kuku concluded.
RELATED VIDEO: