The "Art" of Catabearing... A Farewell Tribute to a Legend and a dear Friend

The hardest part of loving something is letting go and moving on... Sometimes we find ourselves played by the crossroads of life, decisions and sacrifices have to be made, and part of it, is giving up something we really enjoyed doing. It's for the better, we console ourselves, opportunities only pass once, so grab it while we can.

Although we've been expecting the news for quite sometime now, nothing can still prepare us for the moment when he finally said, "it's over, I am about to go".

For most people, this guy is an icon, a legend in his own right. Time and time again, he redefined the "standard" of what it takes to be a Cata bearer. He isn't afraid to experiment and take chances, and always strives to push his game to the next level. This feat he has accomplished, might take a while to be toppled.

I can still remember those early days when I would see him on 24/7 DSQ, and that he never slept for 3 days on the race from 88 to 89 (afterwhich we heard he got sick). An early proof of his competitiveness.


Needless to say, I watched his character grow up. Rycesa, along with Dray, Suing and Macoiski would form one of the most formidable catapult team of the old time. They reshaped the TW scene and brought the then neglected cata bearers into the limelight. They raised the bar and proved that not all Yao shous can be bearers. The Lotus "kariton" boys as they were fondly called, would often be exchanging thoughts and strategies about what they dubbed as the "art of catapult bearing". They never hesitated to sport a low strength high con build, when most of the yao shous would prefer to be damagers.

The advent of pure Int Fa shi's and the realization that high HP alone can't save them from the wrath of Magic users made them shift from HP to Mdef Stones. They were the first Cata team to use the "MDEF" set, while all the rest sports HP and tend to laugh at them for doing so. Ironically, those who first laughed at them tend to follow the trend later on...

"I love breaking towers and the enemy's central building, as well as that satisfaction you get that you are not easily killed, even if there's a lot of players trying to bring you down". That's what he always say when our conversation touches the topic of catas. He gets euphoric when people say that he's one tough ass to crack in TW, that alone, according to him, is enough to make all the effort seem worthwhile.

"Someday, I will be the ultimate cata bearer" - those words still ring to my ears like they were just said yesterday. It has been more than two years since, and now he has finally achieved that goal. December of 2007, I can still recall our conversation about him sporting a 30k HP and how he plans to do so, and around May of 2008 he shared to me the target of at least 15k MDEF.

Now, I can definitely say that he is the "ultimate catapult bearer". An envy to most of his peers; a source of pride and inspiration for his friends and clan members. As a friend, I am proud not only of what he has accomplished, but he has done so, with integrity.

As Perfect World PH Dragon server says farewell to one of its most respected player, we also wish that you would find success in your new endeavor as you have succeeded in game.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.

Thank you for leaving your footprint and we hope that in the future, we might be able to see you play again.