Cebu, Philippines — Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game has always had a special place in the hearts of Filipino duelists. From schoolyard matches with Starter Decks to today’s highly competitive regional events, the game has evolved into more than just a pastime—it has grown into a community.

Every community has its flavor, and the Philippines is no exception. While the international/Japanese meta often dictates what’s most powerful, the local meta in PH develops its own twists based on card availability, player preferences, and innovation.

Now, a new movement is going to set the stage in Philippines: MEIOCG's Intercity Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series - designed to unite local scenes, introduce the game to new players, and foster a thriving competitive yet welcoming environment.

ICS Official Logo

NRS is COMING, as Well

National Ranking System, or NRS is Meta Insider OCG's seperate ranking system, that ranks players across the Philippines, through local events and weekly tournaments.

While it is arguably an "absurd" way to describe it, a specialized leaderboard would give duelists a sense of progression beyond their local communities, motivating them to travel, improve, and measure themselves against players nationwide. Such a system would also bring structure to the local meta, as popular and non-popular variants become part of a transparent competitive environment where results and innovations are recognized on a national scale.

The Intercity Championship Series, through NRS, have the same similar goal: to promote the game, create opportunities for several communities to grow and foster, create a fun and competitive environment, bridge the gap between multiple islands, and ultimately identify the variety of meta within the country.

strong, brave, and tough. The bravest warriors were called ORAGON

First in the Philippines

The IntercityCS, or the Intercity Championship Series, is a community Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Series that is nearly similar and is BASED on to local sanctioned and non-sanctioned CS (Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series), such as Next Play, and Japan CS.

Next Play CS Logo, Japan

Throughout the years of Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG in Japan, the Next Play CS and Japan CS had been one of the leaders in promoting the card game to a wide variety of tournaments for players, fostering the community and providing real-time accurate META news and information to fuel Japanese Duelist's passion.

Local game shops (LGS) across the Philippines often host their own weekly and monthly tournaments. While constant and proactive, with Konami giving giving mini events such as Yu-GiOh! Day, or huge events such Battle Nexus, only few players have the capability to travel, considering most of these events happen only on Metro Manila.

But this time, The Meta Insider OCG is stepping up the game in the Philippines, introducing the First-Ever Pinoy Yugi Championship Series, the Intercity Championship Series, through National Ranking System!

In picture: Finals livestream, Next Play CS, Japan

But WAIT-Seriously?

This initiative is more than just a series of events—it’s a movement to grow the game across the country. From first-time players to tournament veterans, everyone is welcome. Beginners can enjoy tutorials, demo decks, and casual brackets, while competitive duelists can test their skills against some of the strongest players outside their local scenes.

But here’s the game-changer: a national ranking system is on the horizon. For the first time, Filipino duelists could track their progress PUBLICLY, climb the leaderboard, and earn recognition beyond their home turf.

Imagine earning points at every intercity event, seeing your name rise in the standings, and representing your city on the national stage. It’s not just about bragging rights—it’s about building prestige, fueling rivalries, and giving every duel meaning.

Cebu to Conduct 1st ICS

Cebu has long been recognized as the cradle of Philippine civilization—the first place where communities united, cultures converged, and history was written. Now, it becomes the birthplace of another milestone: the first-ever Intercity Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series in the Philippines.

Just as Cebu stood at the crossroads of beginnings centuries ago, it now serves as the starting point of a new chapter for the Yu-Gi-Oh! community. Made possible in partenership with Legends Hobby Shop and Aegis Protect in the upcoming Legends Hobby Expo 2025, this historic event will unite duelists from across different communities within and outside Cebu city to compete for prizes, fame, and glory.

Legends Hobby Expo 2025, SM Cebu Seaside City

The stakes are higher than ever. With the introduction of a national ranking system, Cebu’s series will mark the foundation of a competitive structure that gives every duel meaning. Victories here will not just be remembered as local wins—they will echo across the country, shaping the future of the Philippine meta and establishing Cebu as the symbolic fresh start and heart of a new era in dueling.

The goal? To unite scattered communities, give newcomers a stage to learn and play, and provide veterans a national platform to test their skill. From casual brackets and beginner-friendly demos to high-stakes competitive showdowns, this event is designed for everyone who’s ever held a deck and dreamed of dueling beyond their local shops.

This is more than a tournament. It is the forging of a legacy. From the same island where history began, the Intercity Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series rises, charting the path for a united, competitive, and thriving competitive scene.

Get Ready for ICS Philippines 2025!

September 14, 2025

by Kasuteru_kun

OCS Philippines Official