For BeefMami, casting both a ‘privilege’ and an ‘honor’
Aspiring casters and streamers can agree that being able to cast a game at its highest stage of esports doesn’t come easy. It must be earned through rigorous efforts and showcasing one’s potential in order to be recognized, as well as having the right circle of connections around you for support. However, Alliana “BeefMami” Liongson says it would need a little bit of both to successfully gain and achieve such a task.
“It is definitely a bit of both. It’s a privilege because somehow my efforts and the mix of right timing have propelled me to cast on CODM’s biggest stages and it’s an honor as well because I know that I can represent women and the Philippines in casting for esports which we are severely underrepresented in. It is immense pressure but I am very honored to be here.”
BeefMami first showcased her casting skills with great poise in the Philippines’ CODM Championship as well as the Valkyrie Series (CODM Southeast Asian Championship for women). From then on, she was scouted and brought over by Activision to cast different major tournaments globally, including the CODM Masters and CODM BR Invitational.
BeefMami casting in CODM BR Worlds Invitational
“I was scouted by Activision when I casted for the Valkyrie Series Season 1. Masters was the foot in the door for me and after that amazing opportunity it was a snowball effect that got me multiple casting gigs in the CODM Global scene,” she said.
Due to a lot of hard work, time, and effort she put in along with the right dash of destiny and timing, she was able able to secure the casting role for this year’s CODM World Championship for both Western and Eastern Finals.
“I never expected to be here in the US to cast anything. I remember at the beginning of 2021, my mentor in Leo suggested I make a roadmap for my casting career. I just made a realistic goal to focus on local and SEA tournaments but I had to go big for Q4 of this year. The end goal was to cast for worlds but that dream literally felt worlds away. But eventually with hard work and the right timing I ended up being brought here for casting.”
However, as surprising as it may be due to the level of skill she has in casting, she did not always see herself being a caster, let alone working in the esports industry.
Alliana “BeefMami” Liongson
“Never did I see myself working in the esports industry. My origin story dates back to me becoming a streamer during the pandemic. Eventually, I fell in love with CODM and wanted to do more than just play the game. I found that casting requires the utmost skill because you need to be good at the game but also be eloquent enough for viewers to understand. I’m glad I chose this path and everything happens for a reason and it’s up to you what you do in the face of adversity,” she said.
“I always enjoyed gaming ever since I was young but to have a career in esports I only realized it this year. I have only started shoutcasting at the start of 2021 and with the hard work that I put into this, and I am proud of what I achieved in under a year. This was the calling I never expected and I’m looking forward to many years of being in esports down the line,” she added.
The 25-year-old, who came up with her IGN and casting name “BeefMami” by one day thinking the last thing she ate as a broke college student which happened to be a Lucky Me Beef Mami noodle, also shared who BeefMami was before all her casting gigs.
“Behind the BeefMami facade, I am very passionate about film. I am actually a film student, so apart from esports, I do video-making on the side. I plan on being in the film industry while I do esports after I graduate.”
Moreover, she mentioned her journey as something to look back on in order to further improve on different aspects as well as her casting career and the future of CODM esports moving forward.
“Casting with the world’s best esports broadcasters has humbled me and made me realize that I had a long way to go in terms of my skills. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and pay it forward when I get back home. I want to teach upcoming esports broadcasters everything that I’ve learned in my amazing stay here.”
BeefMami casting in CODM NA and EU Masters Tournament
“Worlds is definitely something that everyone in the CODM community as well as myself has been looking forward to ever since the game’s release. I know this isn’t the world stage that we wanted because of the current state of the world but this is a great step forward in making CODM have an established [title in the] esports scene. I am looking forward to more off-season tournaments for Global and Garena. I also wish to have a more unified CODM community despite the different regions. And of course, I am looking forward to Worlds finally being on LAN soon.”
Finally, BeefMami shared her take on whether or not casting and the esports scene in general can be sustainable in the professional sense and could provide work opportunities this year and beyond.
“I definitely see esports in general not just casting as a viable career opportunity. There are plenty of facets with esports from being a pro player, being a caster, down to being behind the scenes as production. The gaming industry here in the PH is just getting started. I keep saying now is the best time to get into esports in the Philippines. My takeaway from this whole experience is to dream big and work hard to achieve that because you can never tell what opportunities will come your way and I am a firm believer in that,” she said in a closing statement.
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The CODM World Championship 2021 West Finals is slated on Dec 4 – Dec 5 10:00 EST while the East Finals will be on Dec 11 – Dec 12 15:00 JST. Watch games live on CODM’s Esports YouTube channel.
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