Eon18

I used a not so meta deck - water mill Jin and managed to squeeze in the top cut. Also, this is the first time I used a deck I totally own ever since I started playing again last Ascent Manila 2026.

Cheers!

Thanks, K!

Happy Wolrd Bicycle Day, everyone!

Rating: 10/10

Vehicle mode - 8/10 (but who will display this in car mode?)

Robot mode - 10/10 definitely awesome!

Might as well get the bumblebee brickhead!

P.S. No knees. :(

The dynamic Arveld Challenge pendant! Yay!

This is a truly stunning set, the build is nice and steady although some of the steps are repeating a lot (which is of course expected with this kind of art piece). The outcome is a sturdy looking 3D painting that captured the essence of the original painting - urging me to succumb and purchase the Starry Night set as well (with the addition of some side purchases - Lego Eevee and Marvel Champions core set). And it's alright as I am always happy to build something with K and we have some backlogs to do.

Very clutch mount on the end with just less than 8 seconds left to get rank A.

P.S. This is a hot take - I still like the “Platinum trophy” nameplate better than the “The proof of hero” one.

I had a hiatus with the game as I player another TCG but a long time friend invited me again and lend me a deck so I can join the largest ever Grand Archive Tournament in the Philippines - Ascent Manila.

It was a two-day, 270+ players event and a lot of people from neighboring country like Taiwan, Hongkong, Singapore and Malaysia has visited Manila just to play. Day 1 was 9 rounds and you need to score at least 18 points to make it to day 2 (3 points per win, 1 point per draw, 0 for loss) where you will be given an invite card and an exclusive playmat. At the end of day 1, my standing was 6W-2L-1D with a total of 19 points and I qualified for day 2. This, in itself, is already an achievement for someone who haven’t played the game for 7 months prior to the event so I’m very happy for this turnout.

Here is the deck I used in the tournament featuring the exclusive playmat I got for making it to Day 2.

Happy to be back in GA. Here’s hoping for good tournament results in the coming Store Championships and Regionals.

1. We have moved to our own house but the renovation is still at 80%. We got to live in our unit when we are working in the city. There are problems and challenges along the way but we overcame them all. I am really happy when people appreciate the aesthetic and functionality of the unit which is mostly a fruit of K's wonderful design mindset.

2. I've managed to lose weight and somehow became healthier this year. I started at 110 kg at the start of 2025 and have my lowest weight at 82 kg before the December holidays which increased my weight at 85 kg at the start of 2026. I disciplined myself to lose weight due to my hypertension which was diagnosed during my V-day last March 2025. My BP is at the normal range for months now but I will try to reach 75 kg by the end of this year. I need to plan exercises and diet and invite K so we can be healthier and happier together. This is my priority for this year.

3. I got promoted this year! This is according to my long term plan but still happy to have done it this year. I also got a University wide award - only one person from my department received this award over the years (my mentor and friend) and I'm the second one! I hope to perform better this year and promised myself to treat my job more seriously. I know that I like playing more than doing my day job but I think this should change this year.

4. I topped a few tournaments from my trading card game journey (Grand Archive and Cookie Run TCG) and I managed to win a Championship as well. There are two big events this January: (1) Ascent Manila and (2) CRB TCG National Finals (Top 8). I'll give my best but I am prepared for the worst outcome.

5. I think I am better mentally. I still dodged going to mental health experts but I think I am better now comapred to where I started last year. I only speak about this here in this blog and no one really knows what I have been going through all this time but that's what I want. I don't want to worry anyone, especially people who are close to me. That's why being healthy physically and mentally gave me hope and happiness. Thanks to K who have been with me all the way, showering me with love and compassion. I really hope to be a better partner this year, I really want to make her happy.

So there, goodbye and thank you 2025, here's hoping for a better 2026!

P.S. This is the view from the unit's balcony at night. I really like this view - the calm skies over the chaotic city lights.

I grew up watching the anime during the 90’s and this build gave me a lot of nostalgia. I’ve been chanting famous catch phrases from the show while building - “Let’s volt in!”, “Laser sword!”, “Ultraelectromagnetic Whip!”, and “Ultraelectromagnetic Top!” to list a few.

Now, I really miss my childhood shows. Voltes V and Daimos are the two shows I remembered vividly during those times (aside from Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, of course). Hopefully, I can grab the SMP Daimos next year.

Cheers for a great 2025 and see you in 2026!

SMP Voltes V rating: 9.5/10 (Nostalgia rating: 100/10)

This, for sure, is one of the best looking SD gundam you can have - amazing details while maintaining the feminine aura of the Aerial. All of the joints are tight but manageable - enabling a lot of poses to recreate.

Overall, this kit is good for people who are new to the MG line in general. The build is easy and the output is aesthetically one of the best mobile suit designs in existence.

Rating: 10/10

P.S. Here it is with the MGSD Barbatos.

I really like Gaoranger and Wildforce as a series because of the animal mecha motif and the very good design of the combined forms. Visual wise, the kit gave justice to the base mecha of the team but there are some problems with the joints of Gaoking itself. The connections in the arms, legs, and feet are okay, the main problem is the one at the waist which I find a bit loose for my liking. In effect, I cannot put the combined form in a lot of poses even though the articulation allows it. I'll be solving it again with a single coat at the problem connection and hope that the playability of this kit will be better.

SMP Gaoking Clear ver rating - 8.5/10

MGSD Gundam Barbatos Rating: 9.5/10

Excited for the expansion but I’ll hunt a lot of that Arch-tempered Arkveld to be released this coming February 2026.