What Valorant agent Clove means to Dilaw

Dilaw performs during the Clove launch event in Makati. AC Coloma, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- After the sketch of female characters Killjoy and Raze kissing, Valorant again tried to represent LGBTQ+ members by introducing non-binary agent Clove. 

For band Dilaw, particularly keyboardist En Altomonte, Clove's presence means a lot to members of the LGBTQ+ community, adding that her presence will make members of the community feel safe. 

"Throughout all of their games and even TV shows [such as Arcane], there's really good representation and it's really nice because it makes LGBTQ people in our community, in our gamer community feel safe, which is kind of rare but it's getting there now," she told media at the sidelines of Clove's offline launch event in Makati.

For Altomonte, who plays and streams the game with Dilaw singer Vie Dela Rosa, they enjoy being partnered with Riot to perform at an event for one of their favorite games. 

"It's kinda like going to a toy store and nerding out," she shared.

Clove hails from Scotland and is a controller who packs maybe one of the most unique playstyles in the hit first-person shooting game, bringing themselves back to life and being allowed to smoke site when dead.

Valorant is known to vocally ring in LGBTQ+ representation inside the game, such as gun buddies, name cards, and even characters and official art.

Dilaw and hip-hop band Player Two both performed at a launch event for Clove in Makati. They also teased that they may have something in store in the future.

"We don't like talking about plans before spoiling them but we just came from the studio," guitarist Leon Altomonte said.

Like Dilaw, some of Player Two's members also play the game.

Luke April said: "Just last year we were playing the game and we were shouting at each other and now..."

Ivo Impreso added: "We sort of manifested it."