I was only FILIPINO on my block. A Fil-Am (FILIPINO AMERICAN) raised on 51st Street in Sunset Park, Bklyn, NY. I was bullied for being asian in a largely Latino-based neighborhood until I was welcomed into a circle that embraced my unique heritage. There wasn’t a masculine representation like Manny Pacqiuao punching our flag and culture through the news at that time. The 90s was a very powerful era to be raised in New York and I’m honored to have been bred in the thoroughest borough.

I started off with a passion for Hip Hop. The element of emceeing was my choice of weapon and I battled in schoolyards, street corners, countless cyphers and earned my respect freestyling and recording music until my first stage in the College of Staten Island. I went off to Stonybrook University and won my first official rap battle (when rappers really freestyled like 8 mile, lol). I spent a couple years seasoning myself in the underground scene experiencing the hardships an artist goes through in one of the most critical communities in the world.

After some transitions in my pursuit of Hip Hop I also had an underlying passion for comicbooks and writing stories. It led me from Omin Child to Mark Marvel to Mark Teodosio. My cousin, Marlon Ramos, passed away in 2013 and it took quite some time under the moniker of Mark Marvel to realize that I’d enter a new industry. I went through a rough path as Mark Marvel and fought through it with a passion for Christ, a pure heart full of determination & a consistent work ethic with a long term vision. Now I’m the Creator of the First FILIPINO Street Hero, the Realest Bayani and founded TCNY: The City Needs You. An indie-comicbook publisher that wasn’t like the other kids that seperated himself from the rest with creativity. It’s only now that I thank Dave for all the bookmarks he made that always reminded me,” DONT STOP DREAMING” and look what that made me! Dreamer of the Month! Power to everyone that takes the time out to read this.

Don’t wait for anyone to manage you or give you life changing advice just #BeYourOwnHero & always remember #TheCityNeedsYou!

Shop the new ‘Shift the Energy’ Collaboration with Mark below