Kapuso hunk spends 1,000 hours playing DoTA!

Actor-TV host Mikael Daez is not sorry about “wasting” 1,000 hours playing Defense of the Ancients 2 (DoTA), a video game he’s been hooked to since he began playing again early this year.

“I’ve played 1,000 DoTA 2 playing hours. Beat that!” he told Yahoo Philippines recently. “Yes, wasted (time). But I’m still gonna keep on playing.”

Now on level 55, the “Ang Lihim ni Annasandra” star explained it’s pretty high enough—especially if you’re a gamer spending 30 hours a week on the activity.

DoTA provides an online battle arena where a player controls a single character in one of two teams. The game is either multiplayer or single-player.

Mikael related: “I play solo. I’m Batman when I play DOTA 2.”

Fighting with his girl over DoTA

The 26-year-old model-turned-actor admitted he had arguments with a loved one over her gaming addiction—just like the message of the widely-popular song “Dota o Ako” featuring Aikee and Vanessa.

“She tries to fight me over DOTA. I just smile and say I love her.”

Did you break up because of DoTA?

“No, she still loves me,” he revealed.

Mikael has long been rumored to be in a relationship with the reigning Miss World Megan Young. The two have never confirmed their relationship, but the actor said they are “happy.”

Hard to break

He said he pulled the DoTA plug four years ago. But just like an old habit that’s hard to break, it’s not easy to stop playing a video game you’ve been hooked to since high school.

The Kapuso actor admitted he has yet to learn how to balance work and play.

“I am hooked, but I keep it in check. Work is work. I still have to be better at managing my time, but I enjoy it. I really don’t do much outside of work.”

He added, “Hindi naman naapektuhan [ang work]. Naapektuhan lang sleeping patterns ko.”

Mikael confessed he has bad bedtime habits to the point that he doesn’t like sleeping at times.

Serial gamer

Mikael said he’s always been a gamer—especially of console games like Final Fantasy.

He also plays casual games from his iPhone like Infinity Blade, Smurfs, Zombieville, Battleheart and Battleheart Legacy.

But the actor clarified video games are for just for his “alone time.” They don’t affect his social life.

“For me, my social life kinda revolves around my work already. I work with my friends [like] Andrea (Torres) Art (Arthur Solinap)… we play basketball on Sundays, Pancho (Magno)… one my first friends here in showbiz.”

Mikael also said Mark Herras, Mike Tan, Dominic Roco and Rocco Nacino used to play DoTA.

“But they don’t play as much anymore.”