From Esports To Elections: Why Host Mara Aquino Took A Stand For Bam Aquino

From the bright lights of esports tournaments to the crowded streets of campaign rallies, host Mara Aquino has gone from hyping Mobile Legends matches to championing a Senate candidate – proving that every vote, and every voice, counts.

Best known as the face of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) for four years, she recently stepped back from the gaming spotlight to explore another arena – politics.

Her surprising move? Volunteering as emcee for the campaign of senatorial candidate Bam Aquino during the 2025 midterm elections. Bam became one of the surprise winners in the senatorial race as he ranked second, garnering 20,971,899 votes, since he had not been landing in pre-election surveys’ Magic 12.

“This was my very first time campaigning for any candidate,” Mara told The Philippine Star in an exclusive interview.

“I used to be one of those people who didn’t believe in politics. I thought it was all biased and controlled. But when I listened to Bam, I saw what he stood for, especially what he did for the esports community. That was already a huge plus for me,” she said.

Mara, now hosting the inaugural season of the Philippine Kings’ League for Honor of Kings, credited Bam’s early support for esports athletes, including lobbying for visas and legitimizing the industry, as a major reason behind her support.

Her firsthand experience working with the senator on “The Good Times” radio show on Magic 89.9 gave her more insight into his advocacies, from agriculture to education, technology and many others.

“He would talk about farmers he met, their issues, and how he wanted to help. Because of him, I became more aware of what’s really happening in our country,” she said.

‘I choose to live here’

Though raised in Canada, Mara shared she made a conscious decision to call the Philippines her home, one that was reaffirmed by her involvement in the campaign.

“I’m from another country, but I choose to be here. I choose to live here because there’s something about the Philippines that I really love,” she said.

“Now that I see there are very qualified people who will have a seat in the Senate, it gives me more comfort and peace that I’m in better hands.”

Mara was one of the many unpaid volunteers who joined the grassroots campaign for Bam. They are no related.

“Nobody was paid. Everyone was a volunteer, including me. That’s when I knew this was real,” she said. “You don’t need to pay people to support someone if they truly believe in that person.”

In previous interviews, Mara disclosed that she came to the Philippines for a two-month vacation but ended up staying from 2010 to 2017. She went back to Canada in 2018 but returned to the country in 2019 to stay permanently.

The esports host described herself as nerd who practiced martial arts, a radio DJ, a television anchor, a reporter, a knee brace specialist, a healer and a voice talent.

‘Super worth it’

From speaking at sorties, a first in her life, Mara admitted her campaign experience was both nerve-wracking and life-changing.

“It was so positive. I got to talk to students, to volunteers. I had never even been to a rally before,” she said.

“It was such a happy feeling. We were all there for the same cause,” she added.

Her emotional high when Bam secured the second highest number of votes in the senatorial race. In an Instagram post following the May 12 elections, Mara thanked “everyone who showed up, spoke up, and voted for a leader who has always shown up for us, especially in the esports scene.”

She said that from day one, Bam believed in the power of gaming, youth and innovation.

“Do you know that feeling when someone you believe in actually wins?” she said. “I used to think my vote didn’t matter. But with Bam’s win, it showed that people are starting to care. They’re thinking about the future, not just about today.”

Mara also credited the youth vote and growing civic awareness as pivotal in Bam’s victory.

“People used to say they’d rather leave the country. But now, with people like Bam, there’s hope. There’s trust,” she added.

Offers, hate, and clear stand

Mara revealed she faced backlash online for her political stance, including losing followers and receiving threats.

“People were vocal about unfollowing me. Some threatened me. But I didn’t care,” she said. “I have the right to support who I want to support.”

She also turned down lucrative offers from other candidates who sought her endorsement in exchange for money.

“I chose to stick with my beliefs,” she said. “It’s not about clout or money. It’s about what you stand for.”

Now more politically aware, Mara said she’s willing to be more involved in future campaigns if asked.

“I know how to campaign better now,” she said with a laugh. “If Bam ever asks for help again, I’ll say yes.”

For Mara, whose professional background includes hosting FIBA 3x3 basketball events and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 3x3 tournament, politics was a new kind of arena, one where authenticity and values mattered most.

“He’s like a teacher,” she said of Bam. “He talks to people with respect. He explains things clearly. He’s humble. You can really see that he wants to relate to people – and that makes all the difference.”