In every Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or MMORPG, certain personalities stand out from the rest. Be it a leader of a strong guild a PVP expert or probably a very rich dude, these personalities become “celebrities” in their own right. Here is one of the open-beta players of Philippine Ragnarok Online who is also one the pioneers of the blacksmith class and a very controversial fellow too. An ally and friend, I bring you, Weightless!

Master Diwa: Please state your full name.

Weightless: John Lyle Daquino Ham.

MD: Why did you quit playing Philippine Ragnarok Online (pRO)?

W: It wasn’t very easy for me to leave the game that gave me lots of friends. If it wasn’t because of the great opportunities that came into my life, I wouldn’t have left at all. To add more to it, my wife was also pregnant at the same time so I can’t get stuck into the game when I have a real life responsibility to face.

MD: How long have you been a retired Ragnarok player?

W: I am retired since February 2005.

MD: Where are you right now?

W: I am currently at Dubai, United Arab Emirates

MD: What the hell are you doing there man?

W: I’m working as a Graphic Artist / Web Designer / Network Administrator for a Real Estate company.

M D: So now you’re filthy rich you lucky bastard!

W: I don’t think so. But I wish I would be. LOL!

MD: Are the ladies nice in Dubai?

W: I hope you’re not asking me just for my wife to chop my head off. LOL. If you’re talking about their physical features, I’d say Lebanese, Syrians, Morrocans, and Local Arabs are hot. But, it’s remotely impossible to go out with them. They have a very very strict culture and smells… too.

MD: I hear they have very strict rules on liquor! Can you handle that?

W: Oh yeah! You’ll have to get a license to buy liquors. Not to mention the huge amount you’ll spend for the license and at the same time +20% tax on your purchase of liquors. In short, ginto ang alak dito. Here’s the thing, drinking is only allowed here in Dubai. Unfortunate for those who live in other states because once they get caught drunk or possessing any types of liquors, they’ll surely go to jail for months.

MD: That sucks man! How long are you staying there?

W: I can’t tell for how long. Maybe till the time I get business in Philippines and have my own house. I have no problem with my employer so I think I’ll be working with him for a long period of time.

MD: What are the memories that you cherish most in pRO?

W: I cherish both good and bad memories. Aside from gaining a lot of friends from the game, I cherished the bad memories the most because from it, it taught me lots and lots of lessons and made me a better person.

MD: How far in life has pRO brought you?

W: Aside from gaining friends, this is also where I met my wife. pRO indirectly blessed me with a family. (I won’t forget your birthday MD!)

MD: Ah yes I remember that notorious birthday party of mine haha! In the past, your in-game persona, Weightless, was both loved and hated. Can you explain to us why people loved Weightless? And also why they hate Weightless?

W: Loved? I don’t think that’s the best word to describe it. There are people who actually like me because according to them, I’m approachable. Yes, sometimes I am not because there are times that I choose the people whom I talk to which depends on my mood. Let’s put Grand Lethal as an example, I showed my love to the guild in return for giving me love and accepting me in-spite of the rumors you’ve heard from people whose souls can’t be at rest.

Hated. Hahaha! Most people, misinterpret me and they are those who hate me the most. Knowing myself before, I used to have emotional turmoils which irritates a lot of people. I’d say I’m also unpredictable and easily irritated sometimes. But I can’t believe there are people like you who understood me at those times. LOL.

MD: What is your greatest achievement in-game as Weightless? Please elaborate.

W: Achievements? Being one of the known old blacksmiths, I think my greatest achievement is having people save my forged elementals in their stash. The last achievement I have at least was to be a part of RPCs.

MD: In your pRO days, you formed the guild “pRO Blacksmiths” which later merged with several guilds to form “Insurrection”, what are your best contributions for “Insurrection”?

W: Contributions? LOL. It was a very long time already. I think being the political spokesperson for the guild and making a known predominantly blacksmith guild.

MD: Let’s get a bit controversial. During the final days of “Insurrection”, you had a falling out with several key members of the guild. This was later on irresponsibly publicized became a crazy circus, but what do you have to say on this? The public never got to hear your side of the story.

W: When that controversial falling apart of the guild happened, yeah, I never said anything. One of the reasons why I didn’t talk its because I didn’t want to fan the flame. I decided to stay still, ignore the politics, face my real life responsibilities and most of all move on. At that point of time, it was a test for me on how well I can handle situations like that. No one is perfect. I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. It’s not an excuse but as far as I am concerned, as of now, I don’t want to open up anything about it anymore. A lot of things changed after that incident. Like, it was also a wake up call for me. Years have been wasted where I was supposed to be facing lots of serious things for the future. I apologized to them, I know they know it. For those who have accepted my apologies, thank you very much. For those who didn’t, thank very much.

MD: After Insurrection was disbanded, a new guild “Civitas Dei” emerged. Since Civitas Dei was formed out of hatred for weightless, can we say that you are also indirectly the “founder” of Civitas?

W: I’m not worthy to be called “founder” at any angle. But if it looks that way to them, and if I really was indirectly the reason why they have a very successful guild now, then it’s an honor. LOL.

MD: How did this in-game conflict affect you and the people around you in real life? How did you cope with it?

W: Right after the incident. I started looking hard at myself. There were lots of times where I wouldn’t want to see anyone. I took all the time to reflect which part of myself went wrong. This is not just because of this incident. Admittingly, there were other people who have same bad impressions against me long before I knew Ragnarok Online. Maybe it was time to turn my back against game addiction and start facing my real life responsibilities. I’ve been fighting against game addiction for a very long period time.

MD: With that all said and done, let’s touch the lighter side of John Lyle Ham. What do you do for fun in Dubai?

W: Fun? I’d say, I haven’t been into fun here in Dubai yet. It’s summer and the scorching 50c temperature won’t be a nice weather to go around and have fun. But as a consolation, my simple joys here are roaming around Emax (biggest electronic store in UAE) and check out new gadgets and geek stuffs. Lalo na ngayon, it’s September. Electronic sale month!

MD: Any memorable moments in the desert country so far?

W: Yeah. I ran away from my old employer. Abusive and unfair.

MD: Did you make the right choice by quitting Ragnarok? Why?

W: It was all worth it. If I stayed in the game until now, I wouldn’t be of what I am right now.

MD: How about World of Warcraft, I hear you are also a veteran player here. Do you still play?

W: YES I am. But not a very hardcore raider like before. I used to follow strict raid schedules and pvp a lot. I casually play to kill time and overcome boredom. Besides, there’s this new upcoming episode that interests me the most, The Wrath of the Lich King.

MD: Who is Justin Lars A. Ham in your life aside from being your one year old son?

W: He’s my future best bestfriend, my inspiration and the reason why I’m also out of the game. White Hat hacker in the making. Hahaha.

MD: Lastly, what is your message to those people who are still trapped in Midgard?

W: Hey folks, Midgard might be the best place you’ll ever be. But, don’t forget that you have a REAL WORLD that awaits you. Don’t ever trade great opportunities over a game that won’t last forever. There are real people around you. Life is priceless, so make sure you don’t waste every moment of your life.

Pwede bumati? LOL. Hello sa mga nagbabasa nitong blog ni MD like to all guild members of Invictus, ex-Insurrection Seals, JCI Buratilyos, Signum Vires, Tribo Habagat, Adept, Civitas Dei, Coalescence, Godsmack, my boss Ali, officemates Karim, Ashwini, Junaid, Christina and most specially to my wife Jo-Anne and son Lars. Also to Jun (bayaran mo na yung utang mong red horse dun sa Indian na inutangan mo. kahapon ka pa hinahanap), my bestfriend Briar Rose (magparamdam ka naman), and my ninong GM Tristan III aka Mon Macutay of Level Up Games (Yung pangako mong Nissan Armada asan na? LOL).

And that’s Weightless for you ladies and gentlemen, stay tuned for more gamer updates only here at The Master’s Den!