This OhMyV33nus lookalike is an NCAA cheerleading coach (2024)

JOHNMAR "OHMYV33NUS" VILLALUNA made a surprise appearance during the MPL PH Season 13 playoffs where she graced around the stage, carrying Blacklist International's championship trophy, commemorating a significant moment in PH esports history.

Just seeing her inside the arena was a sight for a lot of fans, most of them inspired by her accomplishments.

Among those inspired is the meme sensation and the one dubbed by the public as OhMyV33nus' lookalike, Ruf G. Rosario.

Ruf is actually a cheerleading coach of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Perp Squad and an MLBB fan, though this initially didn't materialize.

But things changed when Ruf decided to try the game out.

PHOTO: Jaime Campos

Entering the Land of Dawn

"Actually isa ako sa naiinis doon sa dorm namin when they're playing Mobile Legends kasi nga sobrang ingay kapag nagca-clash pero isa ako sa tumangkilik noong di-nownload ko siya tapos ginamit ko si Eudora and nag-enjoy na ako."

The enjoyment Ruf experienced eventually evolved, as the Perpsquad coach would then expound on their list of circles.

"Ang dami namin nakikilalang friends because of MLBB, sobrang dami naming kilalang friends, not only in the LGBTQ+ community but also mga boys."

But it wasn't just limited to small gatherings as Ruf slowly began rising to fame. With the image of Ruf spreading like wildfire, it was time for the cheerleading coach to make various appearances.

"Marami po akong mga invitations, like sa mga ML tournaments, sa mga dance contests, pinapa-judge ako sa mga fiesta," Ruf started.

"Ang saya lang po na even though I am an international judge by profession in cheerleading, kumbaga hindi lang ako sa cheerleading na-i-invite and parang mas lalong dumadami yung nag-i-invite sa akin sa cheerleading competition because parang they're hitting two birds in one stone."

And what were those two birds? Ruf continued: "Na parang they're inviting Coach Rufa and at the same time, UmayVee, tawag po sa akin UmayVee kasi na-u-umay daw sila. E di gumawa na ako ng page."

Ruf has indeed come a long way. If before the coach would send emails to OhMyV33nus, now Rosario has finally met the Queen of the MPL PH. The Season 13 playoffs was the first time these two individuals met.

Ruf has always looked up to V33, but there were others who also inspired the Perp Squad coach.

PHOTO: MPL Philippines

Supporting Philippine Mobile Legends

"I am a fan of Blacklist International po talaga, kahit i-check niyo yung mga post ko, talagang pumapalag ako," said Ruf to the press.

However there's more to Ruf's passion for MLBB besides the coach's admiration for OhMyV33nus and Blacklist International. With the Philippines serving as a dominant force in the MLBB esports scene, something profound struck the Perpetual coach.

"But not only Blacklist, I'm also a fan of the world champions because tulad po yung sinasabi na dinadala po nila yung flag natin, knowing na even a small country has a lot of professional and the best players in the world. Ang dami na nating M-series championships."

It began when Ruf witnessed the golden years of Bren Esports when Carlito "Ribo" Ribo Jr. and Angelo Kyle "Pheww" Arcangel were still teammates.

"Nag-start po noong kinalibutan ako noong nag-Luo Yi si Pheww. Natatandaan ko yung laban na iyon kasi yung mga casters, naririnig mo sila, feel na feel mo yung the way na nagsasalita sila na para sa Perlas ng Silanganan."

And eventually there were others who carried on the legacy, proving that the Filipino spirit never fades away.

"So kami kahit yung ECHO nananalo, yung Bren nanalo sa Onic last time, syempre nakaka-proud because I am a Filipino tapos ang dami nating world champions. Aminin natin, Filipinos, maraming nagda-down sa atin, pero kahit anong gawin nila hindi nila basta-basta mapapatumba."

PHOTO: UmayVee

Dealing with bashers

The lessons Ruf learned from the unwavering spirit of the World Champions of the past have also translated with how the Perp Squad coach handles the critics online.

Ruf has gained a strong following due to the resemblances with OhMyV33nus, but this also made Ruf the target of critics.

"Meron akong TikTok na may nag-comment sina V33, shine-share ng Black[list]. Noong una po, hindi ako makapaniwala tapos syempre may time na minumura ako, nilalait ako, medyo nakaka-offend po."

It may seem overwhelming to deal with these haters, but Ruf remained optimistic.

"Pero at the end of the day sabi ko, 'Kahit ano naman sabihin nila, parang ako naman yung sinisikat nila e. Hindi naman sila e. Ako naman yung binibigyan ng exposure.' So the way na may mga bad comments, tinatanggap ko po siya and I am being professional. Kapag may lumalabas na meme kasi napapansin nila ako, I am happy for that."

And during Wednesdays, Ruf would undergo a cleansing.

"Marami po talaga pero ako po siguro po yung mga iniipon ko na comments every week, nawawala po every Wednesday kasi every Wednesday nasa Baclaran po ako. So pinagdadasal ko na lang po lahat."

But at the end of the day, these comments would fall in deaf ears.

"Ang hirap din matulog kapag in-absorb mo. Yung mental health po namin mas maaalagaan natin kung we know the art of deadma. Let's appreciate good things and if they're bad things, huwag na natin pansinin."

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

When ML meets cheerleading

It may seem like Ruf is nice person given the tolerance to online bashers, but the cheerleading coach can be strict when needed.

All thanks to the codex of knowledge attained from playing MLBB, Ruf could look for new ways to motivate the team.

"May pinagalitan ako na isang member ko na, 'Bakit hindi mo mabuhat? Bakit yung technique mo? Pagdating sa pagbubuhat ng flyer, may nagkakaproblema ka. E kapag naglalaro ka ng ML e. Lahat ng diskarte alam mo, kapag nagtatago ka sa bush, alam mo kung papaano ka titira e. Itong routine natin, hindi mo magawa nang maayos."

It even led to one of the most important teachings where Ruf said: "Nako-connect ko yung diskarte, syempre meron kaming diskarte sa clash, dapat sa routine natin may diskarte kami."

But like in the game of Mobile Legends, everything is a team effort. As a coach, Ruf would be responsible for helping the team from behind and everyone else would put their best foot forward.

Afterall the dynamic is even similar in Mobile Legends where Ruf would heavily rely on the lifters to serve as the shield.

"Ay yung mga lifters ko po lalo na kapag Floryn ako, malambot e. Laging likod lang, so kapag Floryn or Estes, likod lang po kami lagi."

And with everyone working for a common goal, a masterpiece is formed. Ruf admitted that they would integrate the inspirations in their lives in cheerleading.

"Last season po ng NCAA, isa sa inspiration ko sa routine ay si V33 and si RuPaul as Queen of the Drag race so may routine po ako na yung last pose sa cheerleading team ko is naka-crown siya sa center."

"So talagang na-inspire nila kami, mga icons namin: Si V33, si RuPaul, ate Vice, yan mga icons na nilo-look up ko, kaya nakakabuo ako ng cheerleading masterpiece."

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