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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 prominent figure and influencer in Philippine gaming. His investment portfolio spans traditional enterprises and technology ventures. Chong’s investments include sectors such as gaming, retail, real estate, entertainment, and food and beverage. In addition to numerous personal 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 part of the Chong clan that owns World Balance.
Early Life and Education
editFrom a young age, Bernard showed his 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] Bernard’s academic background laid the groundwork for his future ventures in a number of industries.
Career
editAfter completing his education at De La Salle, he took over the family business and helped to bring the World Balance footwear brand to prominence. Chong’s leadership in this role facilitated the brand's growth and diversification. During this time, he diversified his portfolio by going into several other investments. Bernard has 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[6]. His investments span sectors such as retail, real estate, entertainment, and food and beverage.
In 2017, Chong founded Bren Esports.[7] Under his direction, the organization’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team won the M-series World Championship title, marking a significant achievement in Philippine esports. [7] 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.[8]
AP Bren
editAP 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.[9] 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.[7]
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.[10] The newly-acquired team adopted its current name, AP Bren.[11]
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. [10]
Philanthropy
editThe BrenSEED Foundation
editIn 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.[12][13]
Film Production
editBarangay 143 (2018)
editBernard 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.[14] The hit show reached Netflix Asia’s top ten “most watched titles” after its debut on the popular streaming platform.[15]
Dino Girl Gauko (2019)
editHe 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.[16]
Other production credits
editChong is also credited as an executive producer for Love Is Love (2019) and Shady Grove (2022).[17]
Controversy and Legal Issues
editDrug trafficking allegations (2021)
editIn 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.
However, 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.[18]
Falsified receipts allegations (2023)
editIn 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.[19]
Personal Life
editBernard Chong resides in Beverly Hills, CA, and is a father and family man. He enjoys hobbies such as LEGOs, chess, reading, and comic books.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Big Three". Lords Mobile.
- ^ "Account Overview - Bren Chong - Lords Mobile". YouTube. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Synergy88". Synergy88 Digital. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ang, Janus; Chong, Bernard; Ramos, Jonathan (January 2001). "Two way TV microwave receiver". Bachelor's Theses. De La Salle University. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Portfolio - Bren Holdings". Bren Holdings.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "First esports franchise league in PH launches". ESPN.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Manaloto, Nicolo (16 August 2018). "Bren Esports celebrates 1st Anniversary with bang!". UnGeek. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Bren Seed Foundation from Los Angeles, CA – company details". www.bizprofile.net.
- ^ "About Us — The BrenSEED Foundation". The BrenSEED Foundation. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Barangay 143". TV Asahi, ASI Animation Studios. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Top Netflix title 'Barangay 143' available on POPTV". The Daily Tribune. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Dino Girl Gauko". IMDb. Ascension, August Media Holdings, Synergy Entertainment. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Bernard Chong - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Šimić, Ivan (9 May 2023). "Drug case dropped against Bren Esports CEO Bernard Chong". Esports Insider. Esports Insider Limited. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Cordero, Ted (4 February 2024). "DOJ clears Bren Esports owner of falsification raps". GMA News Online. GMA Network.
- ^ Jaramillo, John (22 April 2024). "Episode 92: Bernard Chong & Sam Walton: Made In America". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.