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Watch "Warframe - The Story So Far Official Trailer" on YouTube

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Just a few updates Funkos Pops of yours truly. So there's casual, auror and stealth suit. Obviously I'd have Salem in tow. #funkopopyourself #funkopop https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRlPLpFTEV/?igshid=cfmp2w6w8c89

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Today, we've lost a true knight. The first lead actor who brought Ian Fleming's iconic spy to life. The first to carry the mantle of Agent 007 and a true immortal. Rest in peace Sir Sean Connery. #ripseanconnery https://www.instagram.com/p/CHAjiW-FY3m/?igshid=niadqh9om8he

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My core team in their Gigantamax forms. #gigantamax #pokemonswordshield #pokemon #nintendoswitchshare #nintendogamer https://www.instagram.com/p/CGjpzspFmiD/?igshid=q8dbiapzbj1t

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Today's the day. Nevermore: The Secret Order had just been published on Wattpad. As promised, the first three chapters were just released. So tune in weekly because chapter four is just around the corner. #nevermorethesecretorder #tristancreed #fictionwriter #wattpadauthor #wattpadseries https://www.instagram.com/p/CGbUZWyFpe5/?igshid=12sbd8834w614

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Today's the day. Nevermore: The Secret Order had just been published on Wattpad. As promised, the first three chapters were just released. So tune in weekly because chapter four is just around the corner.

Nevermore: The Secret Order (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/ImsIwTXoDab Raven Sullivan lived nothing more than a semi-ordinary life. His parents died when he was barely a year old and he was raised by a close family friend. Upon arriving home after this post college graduation trip, he found his life taking a different direction when his guardian suddenly disappears. In his search for clues, he discovers that his adoptive guardian and his father were both affiliated with a secret organization, as well as abilities he never knew he had that laid dormant until that day. Everything he knew about himself, this world and that of others are about to change.

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It's close. We're literally just a day away from the premiere of my weekly Wattpad Exclusive series, Nevermore: The Secret Order. This is going to be the first book out of the Nevermore series. As promised, the first three chapters will be be published upon the release. The rest will be released weekly. So stay tuned. #wattpadseries #wattpadauthor #nevermorethesecretorder https://www.instagram.com/p/CGX7YQIlQNU/?igshid=4r54fielo5jv

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Hello old friend. I've missed you. #gameboyadvance #nintendogamer #gamingtreasures https://www.instagram.com/p/CGFM0IRFWsn/?igshid=fx4qjrq0gxt

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We're roughly two weeks away from the release of my debut effort Nevermore: The Secret Order. As announced and promised, the first three chapters will be available upon the release. With each new chapter being published weekly. I'm excited to start this journey with all of you who will be tuning in. Nevermore: The Secret Order will be coming exclusively to Wattpad starting on October 17th. #wattpadseries #wattpadauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2q8-jl_L2/?igshid=icif3ivhzw3z

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The pandemic has given me room to finally stretch a few forgotten muscles. One of those would be my writing chops which I recently started finally diving back into. After all the waiting, I'm finally happy to announce the upcoming release of my debut effort, Nevermore. And I will be starting with the first entry in the series which I dubbed The Secret Order. All I can confirm for now is that each chapter will be published weekly. Please stay tuned for further updates. Nevermore: The Secret Order is coming to Wattpad soon. #wattpadauthor #wattpadseries https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvi14oleZc/?igshid=eh0xydq4qyku

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My Relationship With Tattoos

Art as we know it comes in any medium. It could be a portrait, a scuplture, a dish, a film or even a fighting style. The canvas and the medium may change, but one thing remains constant. It represents something. One's feelings, identity, code, maybe even culture. Tattoos are not far from this. They are pieces of art etched on a living canvas. Just like any piece of art can be viewed differently by the artist, the wearer as well as the mere spectator. The same perception could also be rooted from a personal interpretation/bias, cultural influence, and etc.

The Philippines, while still attempting to develop have yet to change its view on tattooing. To some, it is in fact seen at an artistic light whereas most view them with negative connotations. Some even view tattooed individuals as nothing but bottom dwellers, drug addicts, criminals, anything synonymous with the word undesirable. We even have a senator that says exactly these words about tattooed individuals, as do most conservative folks. Which is ironic considering that tattoos once played a significant role in the pre-colonial history. It often dsiplayed one's role, accomplishments, clan, and even social status. One of our most well-reputed national artists happen to be Whang-Od. To the uninitiated, she is currently the last living traditional tattoo artist around these parts. She is well sought out by visitors both domestic and foreign. In all sincerity, I'd like to see that senator try and publicly call her a drug addict to her face. Like I said, The Philippines has yet to be anywhere near ready to adapt to a modern society. And with it, more progressive views.

(Image is courtesy of La Blouse Roumaine ©)

I for one had a neutral stance on them. I should know, I have four of them and have gone through five sessions all in all. But before that, I remember wanting to get one as far as when I was in college and even intending to get two particular pieces. One being WWE Superstar Edge's Rise Above wrist piece and Toryn Green's sinner and saint ambigram. This what happens when you grow up being a fan of hard rock music, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Although what kept me from getting tattooed was the fear of being an ineligible blood donor, as well as the fear of being unemployable in the future.

That however changed after I graduated. Turns out, most corporate environments won't even bat an eye at an upper management figure sporting full sleeves and stretched earlobes. Others may not be as lenient. But it hardly impacted how they're received in the company.  I even had a chance to get a session done in 2013 but it kept falling apart.

It didn't cross my mind until 2017 and that's that I finally decided to go for it. I remembered seeing a simple but perfectly symmetrical geometric arrow design. The design was perfect. I also happen to love archery. So I literally had no other issue with it. I later ended up getting referred by my cousin to her artist who did her wrist piece months prior. The three weeks leading up to that session, I let my folks know in advance that I am getting a tattoo. I didn't wait for their approval or anything. I made it clear that I’m getting inked. Furthermore, I’d like to point out that I am a regular subscriber to Aaron Marino’s YouTube Channel (you may know him as Alpha M). I then took some crucial tips regarding tattoos. I had the certainty down as long as I follow one crucial tip. You have a whole sea of skin all over you. So out of all that, just avoid having one on your hands, neck, and face. If you can hide it with a dress shirt, it’s completely fine. 

On the day of my appointment, I literally just slapped on a sleeveless Avenged Sevenfold cut-off top, some shorts, with only my phone and wallet in hand before heading out for my session. It happened in a small studio just next to a small school in Pacita. Fortunately, I got there in time and I happened to be his only scheduled client for the day. What happened next was pivotal. I literally watched as the needle first touched my skin and slowly covered my birthmark. The session itself took over five hours. And what turned out to be the final product was an entirely different design. One which was inspired by the concept I sent, but also deviated from it. My parents despite having already been warned in advance were still initially shocked by it. They didn’t think I was actually going ahead with it. So this is the part where I retroactively followed what Jaiden Dittfach (of Jaiden Animations) said when she got her bird Ari. If you want really want something and your parents said no, get it anyway and trick them into loving it. Now that it’s on my skin, there really wasn’t much they could do about it. But at least they know its meaning and that it isn’t anything negative. I did have some issues with the product though and it took three more years before I finally got it fixed. For good this time. At least before the pandemic happened and it was done by a trusted friend. In her defense, she made the best of what she could work with then and even remarked how deep the first needle went. Fortunately, she managed to even out some places that needed to be polished.

The intended design (Image is courtesy of The Style Up ©)

The (first) finished product.

Finally fixed. 

In between all of this, I also managed to get three more pieces. It was November 12, 2018, a news shocked Marvel fans the world over. Stan Lee tragically passed away just six weeks shy of what would have been his 96th birthday. It was such a devastating loss of a figure who helped mold the childhoods of many. I wrote about it and posted it here shortly after. During those events, I remembered having come across the Wakandan alphabet before it hit me. But first, I had to consult a few friends in order to make sure that I wouldn’t be committing any act of cultural appropriation. After finally clearing that up, I sent my own design to a friend of mine (Who went on to do all of my ink from that point on) and booked the session. Thanksgiving day later came and I realized that we had no work that day. So I later called her up to see if she was free. Fortunately, she was and I finally had it etched on my right forearm. It was the Latin word “Excelsior” that literally translates to ever upward. It was also Stan’s catchphrase. The feeling of getting that piece was a lot more different than the previous one. This came with a wave of emotion. Because the significance could even be traced from my childhood and I grew up around this fandom and it meant more to me than just entertainment. It helped shape part of my identity. It’s literally the one piece I wish I could have flashed on a camera next to Stan himself. One thing’s for sure both Stan Lee and Chadwick Boseman would have thought it was a wise choice for a piece of ink on one’s skin. 

“Excelsior”

- Stan Lee

Upon having gone through a tattoo session, you can only describe the feel of a needle as a sting. But you wouldn’t exactly call it pain. That isn’t an opinion, that is a fact. Another thing one must know upon getting a tattoo is that you will later want additional pieces. Your skin will want the feel of that needle again. And while my parents said that would be my last piece, I simply couldn’t promise that. This time around, I’ve been looking to get a Cthulhu tattoo since December 2018. Of course, being busy as always, I couldn’t find a time to arrange it. I would only do so once I’m sure I’m completely free for that day. I live two lives. Both as a corporate guy and a public figure. Spare time and sleep are luxuries I can’t always afford. And after all the planning, I finally booked it. I literally went to my friend’s place right away to have it done. The session was of reasonable length and it felt different. Both of my previous tattoos were done on my right forearm. Both of which had uplifting personal meanings. A darker piece like that would be completely out of place in that part of my body. So I opted for my left bicep. It was surreal. I’m a man invested into multiple fandoms and H.P. Lovecraft’s universe is definitely in that list. There’s just something about the occult and the unknown horrors of the cosmos that piqued my interest since my formative years. This was me finally marking that on my skin. If there’s one of Lovecraft’s most iconic creations that deserved that spot, it was the famed Dreamer of R’lyeh himself. If the excelsior tattoo gave a rush of innocence that I hadn’t felt in ages, this was different. It had that enigmatic aura around it which made it all the more perfect. The piece came together so well and it was on an arm that a needle had yet to kiss. After the session, you could say I probably found out how the Sam Raimi Peter Parker felt when he first put on the black symbiote suit. Minus the dance when he exited that tailor shop. I also ended up getting a freehand bonus on my right wrist again. Just something Roxy threw in. It was the Latin phrase “Sic Parvis Magna.” which literally translates to “Thus great things come from small things.” or better yet, greatness from small beginnings. Which is another phrase I hold dear considering my humble origins.

“Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn”

“In his house at R’lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.”

“Thus great things come from small things.”

That certainly wouldn’t be the end of it. Again, while my folks insisted that I got my last pieces, I still can’t promise that. One thing’s for sure, I wouldn’t get any piece that either stands for something that abridges the rights of another human being, nor would any of my upcoming pieces ever wrongly appropriate a culture. Ultimately, I would always advise everyone to at least take Aaron Marino’s advise to heart. Don’t get one that you wouldn’t want to show your folks. You also have a whole sea of skin around you, so avoid having one on your hands, neck and face. I’m definitely not done stepping next to a needle. I still have plans on some pieces. But I always see to their significance. It’s always wise to do exactly that. Getting a tattoo isn’t a joke. It’s a commitment. One that can even outlive a marriage. So it pays to take every choice into consideration. Some of us choose to wear our hearts on our sleeve and some do so literally.

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I’M BACK!!!

It’s honestly been a while since I posted something here. Even that weight loss update was a simple accident on my Instagram share function. The last post I remember actively putting up was the shot of the two Thanos Funko figures I got from Syndein’s exclusive screening of Avengers Endgame. That was back in April 24th, 2019. Just two days after my 30th birthday. A lot has happened in that time. I’ve basically lived a whole journey up to the point that I started writing this.

How can I sum these events up? Let’s see. 

- I’ve taken my share of bumps in the ring.

- I took a kick in the head from Rex.

- Got shoved into the side of a car by Rex.

- Started losing weight shortly after (I’m a public figure. I need to work on my appearance one way or another).

- Rolled with a faction with two guys that are literally around eight years younger than me.

- Distracted Jomar when he refereed a match against visiting tag team in a title match in order as an assist (Which resulted in a tag-team title victory in front of a crowd in Resorts World Manila).

- I also got two new tattoos in the middle of all that which was an image of Cthulhu on my left bicep and the Latin phrase “Sic Parvis Magna.”

- Attended a lot of events ranging from exclusive screenings, a live WWE show, conventions, a Nickelodeon Slimefest and even a villains’ ball (fortunately with a VIP access for most of them).

- Had my debut match.

- Got a Nintendo Switch for Christmas.

Ultimately, I wrote a few goals for 2020 that involved pursuing music again and ended 2019 with a bang. It was all in all, an awesome year. It was productive, I got a lot of things done, and ultimately fun. I actually didn’t feel burnt out at all.

Remember what I said about my goals for 2020? The plan involved resigning from my day job by April so I can start working on the album in Hong Kong with a trusted friend and colleague. Then I’d crash into the Philippines for every MWF show with said colleague and maybe see my folks if I can. That all went to the drain because 2020 was just horrible. Aside from mother nature’s wrath being dialled up to 11, we also lost some people. Both famous and even those dear to us. I’m not kidding by saying that this puts the celebrity death quota that a whole production floor of grim reapers tried to meet back in 2016 to shame. 

That’s what it was for the whole world. As for me, this is at least not half as bad as what others got. The entire Philippine wrestling scene was put on hold. After a month of staying under company accommodation, our corporate heads at my workplace decided to send us folks back to our homes. That meant I was headed back to Laguna. Which brings us to where we are now. I literally spent the majority of the quarantine either cooking, browsing, reading, gaming, drinking, binge watching, and having a few quick smoke breaks in between. 

This is the new normal for now. We have to take it as it is and make the best out of a horrible situation. I’m going through the sleepless nights as I used to go through the motions at work. That eventually felt repetitive. Then I realized I had the Tumblr app still installed in my phone. So I decided to check it out. I saw everything was just as I left it and it’s been ages now. The damn thing could have had cobwebs and it wouldn’t have been surprising. I decided to not just leave everything as is, but rather de-clutter it. Maybe I could tweak a few things here and there. And I did just that...at 4:00 am on a wednesday. But it felt rather refreshing. Therapeutic even. Maybe this is what I need to ride out the pandemic. Just so I could keep my sanity from being eaten inside out.

So I guess this is a new start. A new addition to my to do list in the current normal. Looks like you’ll all be seeing a bunch of my posts again. Better hold onto your f***ing hats then. Cause I’m back on Tumblr.

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Time flew by fast since I started this experiment. I went from 302 lbs (as per the company APE sheet as of April 2019) to 230 lbs in a span of a year. I had set backs along the way and at the same time, I had the right people that kept me motivated. I'd also give credit to a friend I met just before I started. You know who you are (And I'm grateful we met that Sunday at Healthy Options). All that's left is to keep aiming higher and to stay motivated. #oneyearweightlossjourney #oneyearandstillgoing #weightloss #staymotivated #keepgoing https://www.instagram.com/p/CCzAoQnFrSf/?igshid=1ngclsgyrow14

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I would have gone for the Iron Man figure had there been any left. I opted for the mad titan as an alternative. I also won an additional limited edition Thanos (from Avengers: Infinity War) from a giveaway before the screening. It was an epic night all in all. #avengersendgame #endgame #avengers #marvel #mcu #funkopop #funkopopmarvel #thankyoustan https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwpgig9HHmQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hkckjm5l8f5x

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Do you remember them?

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This is a special message from yours truly. The last thing we want is an epidemic. Prevention is better than a cure. #YESINDEED #TheNecessaryEvil #vaccinateyourkids #manilawrestlingfederation https://www.instagram.com/p/Btk_ZhGH5Zt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p8vwtrb5jdq0