Photograb from content creators

A wave of frustration has hit Tier One Entertainment after several Filipino content creators publicly accused the gaming and talent agency of delaying their payments — with some projects allegedly unpaid for up to a year.

On Facebook, content creator Sachi Gomez called out the company, saying she has been waiting far too long for what she already earned.

“Nakakapagod na mag-follow up. I’ve been very quiet and patient, pero hanggang ngayon may projects pa na hindi bayad. Yung isa, isang taon nang delayed. Madalas pa, isang buwan bago mag-reply, pero wala pa ring malinaw na plano kung paano ako babayaran. It’s exhausting chasing payments we’ve already earned. We shouldn’t even have to keep following up. Pinaghirapan naming mga talents niyo yun,” Gomez wrote.

Another creator, Amara TV, also took to Facebook to air her frustration, asking the company about overdue payments.

“Hello Tier One Entertainment san na po bayad naming mga nagtrabaho ng maayos,” she wrote in her first post.

Not long after, she followed up with a second post, revealing that her payment was processed almost immediately after she went public.

“Waited for months, no pay. Less than one hour after posting, deposited agad. Bakit ambilis bigla, para ba delete ko na? Haha. Paano yung project ko dati na nagsorry nalang sa email kasi di na ko mababayaran? Paano din yung ibang mga talents na sumusunod sa deadlines, pinaghihirapan yung postings, nagtatrabaho ng maayos na until now wala pa rin? Lala.”

Her follow-up sparked more discussion among local streamers and digital creators, many of whom shared similar experiences with late payments and lack of communication.

About Tier One Entertainment

Founded in 2017 by Tryke Gutierrez, Alodia Gosiengfiao, and Brian Lim, Tier One Entertainment describes itself as a “venture-backed esports, gaming, and entertainment company” that develops and manages top creators across Southeast Asia. It also operates well-known brands such as Blacklist International and BLCKBOX.

Gosiengfiao herself departed the company in late 2023, citing a “misalignment of values and vision.” While her exit was not directly linked to payment issues, it did draw attention to internal management challenges.

Past employee reviews on Glassdoor also mention delayed compensation and communication lapses within the company — though these accounts are anecdotal and have not been independently verified.

Allegations and Current Status

So far, there has been no official public statement from Tier One Entertainment addressing the recent complaints. A search through major news outlets — including Philstar, Inquirer, Rappler, and LionhearTV — reveals no press release or interview from the company in response to the allegations.

The creators’ stories suggest that while some payments are eventually made, others remain unresolved, with timelines stretching into months or longer. One creator even said her project was marked “unpayable” via email — without further explanation.

What It Means for Creators

For digital creators and streamers, these complaints highlight a persistent issue in the entertainment ecosystem: lack of payment accountability. Many rely on brand campaigns and agency partnerships for income, so even small delays can affect their livelihood.

The situation also raises broader questions about how agencies manage cash flow, prioritize talent, and uphold transparency when working with freelancers and influencers.

The Bottom Line

While the creator posts are authentic and publicly verifiable, the claims of widespread or systemic nonpayment remain unproven. Tier One Entertainment has yet to release an official response or clarification.

Still, the conversation has clearly struck a nerve within the community — a reminder that in the creator economy, timely compensation isn’t just good business practice; it’s basic respect for the work put in behind every post, stream, or campaign.