Filipino Dota 2 icon dies from Covid-19 after weeks-long battle
On Friday, Aldrin “Dunoo” Pangan, known in the Filipino "Defense of the Ancients 2" (Dota 2) community as "Kuya D," died from COVID-19 complications.
What to know: Pangan, an esports commentator, had been battling COVID-19 since Aug. 9. He kept family, friends and fans updated through his professional Facebook page.
Pangan made his last post on Aug. 17. In the video, he is seen lying in bed with oxygen support.
Dota 2 tournament organizers, players, teams and personalities have since paid their respects to Pangan:
Today is a day of great loss - an icon in Filipino casting that everyone has heard in-game, Aldrin Paulo "Dunoo" Pangan @iamdunoo has passed away. Dunoo's voice and call outs will always ring true to Dota fans everywhere, and his passing is a great loss for everyone.
— johnxfire (@johnxfire) August 27, 2021
Very sad news for the community today, our thoughts go out to Dunoo's family and friends at this time. ❤️
Lakad Matatag
— WePlay Esports (@WePlay_Esports) August 27, 2021
Thank you Aldrin "Dunoo" Pangan for your contribution to the Dota community, we are forever grateful.
Lakad matatag forever. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/mkLegaovC7
— ESL Dota2 🚁 (@ESLDota2) August 27, 2021
Today is a sad day for the Dota community and Filipino esports as we have lost one of our voices.
Lakad matatag in peace Dunoo, you will be missed. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/EZ2x1TF8VC
— Team Secret (@teamsecret) August 27, 2021
Rest in peace Aldrin Paulo "Dunoo" Pangan, caster that known for his legendray voice chat #LakadMatatag . Thank you for your contributions especially in DOTA 2 community all over the world. pic.twitter.com/bOaxvTBxMd
— BOOM Esports (@boomesportsid) August 27, 2021
Lakad matatag divided our Dota 2 experience into before and after. Chat wheel wouldn't have been the same without this man. Rest in peace, Dunoo pic.twitter.com/9tNtZtaiMg
— Virtus.pro (@virtuspro) August 27, 2021
Lakad Matatag
— NAVI (@natusvincere) August 27, 2021
Lakad Matatag.
— Alliance 🛫🇷🇴 (@theAllianceGG) August 27, 2021
A sad day for Dota.
Lakad Matatag forever...
— Team Nigma (@TeamNigma) August 27, 2021
Rest in peace, Dunoo 🙏
This community will not forget you. https://t.co/8LMMLIPHfm
— Team Spirit (@Team__Spirit) August 27, 2021
Such sad news to wake up to. Dunoo will be missed and remembered, not just because of the voice lines, but because of all his work and presence in the scene.
Lakad Matatag.
— Sheever (@SheeverGaming) August 27, 2021
Truly devastated to hear about @iamdunoo passing from covid. A Filipino casting legend and also a genuinely kind, amazing friend over the years. Welcomed me to Manila every time I visited like a brother. Just sadness. Sending my love to your family.
You'll be missed Boss Dunoo.
— David Parker | Godz (@BTSGoDz) August 27, 2021
The first trip I met Dunoo he took me to Jollibee because he said I had to try it. From when we sat down until we left at least 5 different people came up to ask for pictures and to say hi. Everyone of those people got a picture, a smile, a laugh, a story.
— LyricalDota (@LyricalDota) August 27, 2021
Rest in peace and thanks for the wonderful memories Dunoo. Legend forever
far, far too young, life is really cruel sometimes 😭 https://t.co/TA7n5mMfUD
— LD (@LDeeep) August 27, 2021
Extremely sad to hear the passing of Aldrin Paulo "Dunoo" Pangan. I don't understand Tagalog but his passion for PH Dota and the PH teams was unrivaled. Filled me with hype any time I listened to his snippets. My condolences to his friends and family in this difficult time. :((
— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) August 27, 2021
Rip my friend @iamdunoo :( lakad matatag pic.twitter.com/sD7T3YaUcV
— xNova (@xNovadota) August 27, 2021
Former Senator Bam Aquino, the cousin of late Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, also took to Twitter to extend his condolences.
Rest in peace, Dunoo. Prayers for his family, friends, and to the whole community. https://t.co/nzpKwcnl4E
— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) August 27, 2021
Kuya D's influence: Pangan was a talent under Philippine e-sports company LuponWXC, according to his Facebook profile page.
He and his casting partner, Marlon "Lon" Marcelo, were the duo behind the popular line "Lakad matatag! Normalin, normalin" ("Walk steadily and deliver a normal hit"). They first used the line during a match between Team Secret and Fnatic at the ESL One Katowice in 2018, according to ABS-CBN.
Valve Corporation, the developer of Dota 2, added the voice line in-game as part of The International 2018’s (TI 8) compendium “Epic Caster Pack” reward for level 1,205. Other lines in the pack include “Easiest money of my life,” “Echo Slamma Jamma” and “The next level play.”
Valve founder Gabe Newell also used Pangan's now iconic line during his short speech at The International 2018, an annual Dota 2 championship tournament, in Vancouver.
Two-time champion, OG, constantly spammed the line during their matches at TI 8 and TI 9.
Aldrin Paulo Dunoo Pangan carried us to 2 Aegis and kept our mental high during every game we played.
Rest in peace, legend.
— OG #LakadMatatag (@OGesports) August 27, 2021
.@DOTA2 Aldrin Paulo Dunoo Pangan brought so much joy to so many people around the world.
Let's engrave this legend into our chatwheels once again and forever, please.#LakadMatatag
— OG #LakadMatatag (@OGesports) August 27, 2021
Featured Image via @dunoodunoo
Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!
People in Wuhan Are Shouting 'Add Oil' From Their Windows to Fight Coronavirus
Veterans Help Catch Thief Who Stole Elderly Woman’s Phone in SF Chinatown
‘Cuppa With Kumi’ Host Reveals Anxiety, Fear of Being Targeted By Racism During COVID-19 Outbreak
