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Alayza May Lao and Her Impact on the Growing Philippine Tabletop Community

There are people who enter a community quietly and somehow end up becoming one of its most genuine voices, and Alayza May Lao, is exactly that kind of presence. Warm, introspective, and deeply passionate about connection, she has steadily carved out her own corner in the world of tabletop gaming. Her journey isn’t loud or overnight; it’s a slow burn built on curiosity, love, and the joy of discovering spaces where imagination thrives.

Origins of a Tabletop Journey

Before the content, before the livestreams, before the growing audience finding comfort in her storytelling, there was simply Alayza, someone drawn to creativity, but not yet fully immersed in the world that would eventually shape her. Her introduction to tabletop gaming was intimate, rooted in a relationship and a shared appreciation for play.

Her partner, a dedicated TCG player, unknowingly set the course for her future. He spoke about Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, and other games with an energy that she found magnetic.

As she reflects, “He’d talk about his matches like they were entire sagas. It made me curious, how could a deck of cards create that much emotion?”

It wasn’t long before she found herself drawn into that world. At first, she observed. Then she sat at the table. Then she played. Bit by bit, the mechanics became familiar, the jargon became second nature, and the community began to feel like home.

“I realized it wasn’t just about the cards,” she shares. “It was about the people holding them, the stories we build together, the laughter, the tension, the shared excitement.”

That realization became the foundation of everything she would later create.

From Player to Creator – Finding Purpose in Play

For someone like Alayza, creativity is instinctive. The more she learned about tabletop gaming, the more she wanted to share it in a way that made the hobby feel accessible and human.

Her early content was simple: small reflections, casual gameplay clips, deck-building experiments, and little snapshots of her experiences. But even then, people gravitated to her. There is a sincerity in the way she speaks, a gentleness in how she explains things, and a kind of magic in the way she frames the hobby.

“I never felt like I had to pretend to be an expert,” she admits. “I wanted people to see that you can love a game even while you’re still learning it.”

As her content expanded, so did her role. She became a storyteller of moments—moments from local shop nights, from matches that went down to the last card, from new players discovering the hobby for the first time. She amplified creators, shops, friends, and communities, always wanting to spotlight the people behind the games.

And through all of it, her online presence remained grounded. Calm. Inviting.

The Heart of the Community — Connection Above All

What truly sets Alayza apart isn’t just her knowledge of games or her growing expertise. It’s her empathy. She notices the quiet players. She remembers the moments that others might overlook. She treats every gaming table like a gathering of stories waiting to be told.

“I love seeing someone play their first game,” she says, a smile in her voice. “Their eyes light up because they finally understand why people love this so much.”

She carries this philosophy into her content creation as well. Her videos are never designed to gatekeep; they’re crafted to welcome. Her voiceovers feel like a friend walking you through a new hobby. Her posts read like invitations.

There’s also a subtle bravery in how she navigates the space. Tabletop communities, especially TCG circles, can be intimidating, competitive, and historically male-dominated. Yet instead of shying away, she creates room for people—especially women, beginners, and quiet fans—to feel that they belong.

“Everyone deserves a seat at the table,” she says softly. “And sometimes, all they need is someone to tell them that.”

Growing Her Own Legacy

Today, Alayza stands at a meaningful point in her journey. She is no longer just the curious observer who once watched her partner shuffle decks with wonder. She is a creator shaping conversations. A storyteller preserving moments. A player who understands both the thrill of competition and the comfort of community.

Her path is still unfolding, but her direction is clear: she wants to keep building content, safe spaces, shared memories, and bridges between newcomers and veteran players.

“Tabletop gaming gave me a space where I could connect,” she reflects. “Now I want to give that feeling back.”

Why Her Story Matters

While many creators focus on trends, Alayza focuses on something that lasts: genuine connection. She brings attention to what truly makes tabletop gaming special, the friendships formed across a table, the shared stories, and the joy of creating worlds together.

Her journey shows that real influence is not about being the loudest voice. It comes from sincerity, curiosity, and authenticity. And within the tabletop community, Alayza May Lao is steadily becoming one of those rare voices that genuinely make an impact.