Pinoy Power: Castillo Qualifies for GA Worlds

Josh “Fugative” Castillo: Philippines’ Grand Archive Hero Earns Worlds Slot, Ushers in a New Era for Filipino TCG

In the heart of Southeast Asia, a quiet revolution is happening in the trading card game (TCG) scene — and Josh Castillo, codename “Fugative”, is leading the charge. Representing Team True Sight, Josh recently secured 3rd place at the 2025 Southeast Asia (SEA) Nationals for Grand Archive, a milestone achievement that earned him a spot at the prestigious Grand Archive World Championship.

Already turning heads with a 5th place finish at Ascent Singapore, Josh’s consistent performances across premier events have now placed him at the top of the Philippine Grand Archive rankings, officially becoming the number one Filipino player. In doing so, he surpassed his brother, Jigs Castillo, also from Team True Sight, known in the circuit as “TKO”, who himself achieved a Top 8 finish at SEA Nationals.

This sibling-fueled success story is more than just family bragging rights — it’s a symbol of the Philippines’ rising presence in Grand Archive, and a rallying call for the country to host its own Ascent, the flagship regional major event in the Grand Archive organized play structure.

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From Singapore to SEA: The Journey of a Champion

Josh’s competitive journey took a major leap forward at Ascent Singapore, one of the most important Grand Archive events in Southeast Asia. The tournament gathered top players from across the region, each vying for glory in a meta still evolving with each release. Josh, piloting with razor-sharp decision-making and metagame awareness, managed to carve his way through a packed bracket, eventually landing a 5th place finish — the highest by a Filipino at that event.

The result was no fluke. When SEA Nationals arrived, expectations were high, and Josh delivered. In a tournament designed to gather the region’s finest minds and most refined strategies, Fugative stood out once again. Through smart sideboarding, calculated risk-taking, and expert-level champion sequencing, Josh climbed the ladder round after round, eventually earning 3rd place overall. This finish not only placed him above dozens of elite-level players but secured his seat at the World Championship, a first for any Filipino player.

Josh’s consistent success across two premier events makes him a clear standard-bearer for the country — and his ascent is inspiring a new wave of Filipino Grand Archive players.

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Passing the Torch: The Castillo Legacy

Behind every great competitor is a legacy, and for Josh, it comes in the form of his older brother, Jigs Castillo, better known as “TKO”. A skilled and respected competitor in his own right, Jigs had long held the title of top Filipino Grand Archive player, especially after his Top 8 finish at the same SEA Nationals.

But 2025 marked a turning point. By placing higher at both Ascent Singapore and SEA Nationals, Josh has now overtaken Jigs as the top-ranked Filipino player — an achievement that signals a symbolic passing of the torch. What was once a friendly sibling rivalry has evolved into a cornerstone of the Philippine competitive scene. Their dual presence on Team True Sight demonstrates the kind of homegrown talent and dedication that is helping the Philippines carve out its own identity on the global stage.

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Why Grand Archive Belongs in the Philippines

Grand Archive is a unique force in the TCG world. It blends the familiar and the innovative — a blend of rich anime-inspired visuals, strategic depth, and narrative-driven mechanics. For Filipino players, who have long embraced games like Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Vanguard, and Weiss Schwarz, Grand Archive feels like a natural evolution.

Its Champion system, Memory mechanic, and class-based deck construction open the door to creative deckbuilding and skillful gameplay — ideal for the kind of tactical and expressive playstyle that Filipino players thrive on. The game’s accessibility combined with its high skill ceiling makes it perfect for both local casual players and competitive grinders. Furthermore, Grand Archive fosters a community-first philosophy. Organized play encourages local participation and meaningful progression, and that model resonates deeply in the Philippines, where grassroots play and community bonds are core to the local gaming culture.

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A Country Ready for Its Own Ascent

Despite impressive showings by its players, the Philippines has yet to host its own Ascent, a major regional Grand Archive event. Ascent tournaments serve as critical qualifiers for SEA Nationals and key showcases of regional strength. The absence of a Philippine Ascent is becoming increasingly difficult to justify — especially with players like Josh and Jigs proving that local talent is not only present but thriving.

The infrastructure is in place. Communities are growing in cities like Makati, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Antipolo, and beyond. Local Game Stores (LGS) are running weekly events. Competitive players are traveling and winning internationally. All that’s missing is an official, sanctioned Ascent: Philippines — and after Josh’s recent run, the time is now.

Hosting an Ascent in the country would not only reward the community’s efforts, but also provide the next generation of players with a local stage to shine. It’s an essential step in giving the Philippines the recognition it deserves within the global Grand Archive ecosystem.

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Heralds Peak: The Game’s Guardian in the Philippines

The growth of Grand Archive in the Philippines wouldn’t be possible without Heralds Peak, the exclusive distributor of Grand Archive in the country. Since the game’s launch, Heralds Peak has worked tirelessly to support the local TCG ecosystem — ensuring product availability, organizing events, and partnering with LGS across the archipelago.

Thanks to their efforts, stores nationwide have been able to host events, build communities, and nurture players like Josh and Jigs. Heralds Peak continues to play a vital role in maintaining tournament logistics, coordinating league play, and laying the groundwork for larger events — potentially even the first Ascent in the Philippines.

Their vision is clear: build a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive Grand Archive community that can hold its own globally. And with players like Josh leading the way, that vision is rapidly becoming reality.

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Looking Ahead: From Manila to the World

Josh Castillo’s story is more than a win at SEA Nationals. It’s a declaration that Filipino players belong on the world stage. His achievements have inspired a nation of TCG fans, and his presence at the upcoming Grand Archive World Championship marks a historic first for the Philippines.

As more eyes turn toward the country, now is the time for the Philippine Grand Archive community to take the next step. A local Ascent is not just deserved — it’s overdue. With a strong distributor in Heralds Peak, a thriving grassroots scene, and elite-level talent already making waves, the Philippines is poised for its next great leap.

And at the heart of it all is Josh “Fugative” Castillo — the face of a new era.