“Nothing dramatic, ok?”
“Of course.”

In the heart of the bustling metropolis, where shadows loom and heroes rise, one man stands apart. By day, he’s a corporate lawyer at GSE Law firm, blending seamlessly within the firm. But when the sun dips below the horizon, his true essence emerges. Armed with a boundless passion, he delves into the realms of his desires, activating the other half of his psyche. From mastering the art of plastic brick design to conquering the intricate world of electronic arts, his pursuits are a testament to the diversity of his spirit. Join us as we unveil the extraordinary adventures of this everyday hero and his quest for mastery.

Lover of comics, an avid player of video games, and Lego enthusiast, Atty. Michael Acaban, started his love affair with his diversions when he was very young. Gaming consoles and comics were the main ingredients of his childhood with Lego emerging as he grew older.

‘When I can afford them, I will buy them all!’

“My older brother got me into comics. He started collecting early on and I would read what he had. I read mostly Marvel comics, Uncanny X-Men, anything Spiderman, Thor, and anything Infinity related.” That world was otherworldly, filled with cosmic beings and unimaginable power. Adjectives like “amazing” and “spectacular” peppered the titles of his favorite series and Mike appreciated the grand scope of the comic universe as it transported him to different realities.

Being a child of the 80s, the advent of gaming consoles captivated a young Mike. He started with the Atari 2600 and the binary beauty it served. He went on to experience most of the electronic iterations that followed: Family Computer, Super Family Computer, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and Xbox. He was mesmerized by the colorful graphics they flashed and challenged by the deft hand-eye coordination needed for the games he played. His games of choice were the 2K sports games and, later on, role-playing games like Resident Evil and Red Dead Redemption.

Lego was a hobby he started later in life mostly because, he admits, it was an expensive hobby. He reminisces about his younger days going to Gift Gate on Quezon Avenue and fantasizing about the intricate Lego sets on display. “It was always something I wanted to do. I said to myself, ‘When I can afford them, I will buy them all!’”

The throughline connecting these hobbies is the dedication, patience, and focus it requires to appreciate them. With comics, Mike had to wait month after month to conclude an epic saga. Video games require hours of gameplay to master and complete. Lego requires planning and precision. None of these are easy. All of them require work. And Mike prefers to tackle these, especially video games and Lego, at the most difficult level.  “For video games, I play everything at the highest difficulty level. Others want to go through the story to finish everything and see the ending, not me. Even if it takes me 5 or 6 times longer, even now I play at the highest or almost highest difficulty.”

Even his Lego sets are all advanced level, more than 2000-piece sets. His office is decorated with Star Wars models, Transformers figures, a Back to the Future Delorean, and the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1.

“I want the challenge.”

The challenge of it all is what he craves. He desires to maximize the experience and push his limits. “If it’s not hard, it’s not worth your money and your time. Time is limited, especially when you’re working and have a family. I want the challenge. It’s a waste of time if it’s too easy. When you’re done quickly, you’re not challenged on any level, physically or mentally. There’s less a feeling of satisfaction or pride.”

His hobbies allow him an escape from reality, so, when asked if his hobbies are used to sharpen or empty your brain, his answer was somewhat surprising. “Empty! There are other concerns when you play video games: how to kill zombies or change spaceships or defeat a robot or monster. One of the toughest professions is Law. You’re always thinking of problems. Real-world problems of other people. I need this for balance. It’s like flexing a different muscle.”

Upon more reflection, though, his hobbies seem more to have sharpened his mind. “I like the problem-solving part. It requires patience and critical thinking. It requires skill and hand-eye coordination. You need to be good with the controls, and have the skill of timing, problem-solving, and all the challenges they have to offer.” For Mike, it’s like switching in a different cartridge: you take out the lawyer and plug in the hero.

“I will destroy everyone.”

Having work and family concerns, Mike answers the age-old question of how he finds time to do his hobbies: his family joins him. His daughter, Martina, has developed a similar love for Lego. They build big sets together when they have time. His son, Max, plays video games with him. “He plays the game and I walk him through it. He has good skills but I don’t play competitive sports games with him. I have been playing at an advanced level for a long time.”

When asked if he would destroy Max if they played together, he answers ominously in the manner of a comic villain, “I will destroy everyone.”

As Mike gets along in years, instead of relinquishing his hobbies, he says he will always find time for them. He is not the impatient type. He’s always focused and dedicated. And as he grows older, a slower methodical approach to life suits him fine. “For some, it’s counterintuitive [to read comics, play with video games and Lego] but for me, it’s like a different muscle. Others will read books or study or meditate or whatever. I like violence and my video games. It’s an escape and makes you worry about other things not world-based. It’s something that I enjoy regardless of what other people say or think. They say, ‘You’re too old for that.’ I don’t care.”

So, how long will he keep doing these things?

“Forever.”

As dusk settled, the hero hung up his cape, the city’s hum now a lullaby. Gazing out over the skyline, he felt peace, knowing the shadows were held at bay. Tonight, he would rest, a guardian in slumber, ready for tomorrow’s dawn and the call of justice once more. (Interview and write-up by: Zeus Earl Roy D. Custodio Jr.)