Nic Guarte—better known in his communities as NicDroid—isn’t just a name you hear in one scene. Whether it’s leading projects like Matsuri, mixing beats at DJ gigs, or fueling the local rhythm game community through Maxbeat Philippines, NicDroid exists in the intersection of multiple creative worlds. His life is a rotating playlist of roles and passions, shuffled by the week, but all grounded in one vision: building and connecting communities through culture.

“I take it seriously when I say I want to get immersed in different departments,” he shares. “What I found was something I always like is leading communities… I couldn’t organize events and get gigs from DJs and as a content creator without the communities who are supporting me despite being the Jack of Trades (and master of none).”

No Typical Week, Just a Shuffled Playlist

For Nic, no two weeks ever look exactly alike—but there’s a rhythm to the chaos.

“Monday is formalities—emails, messages, weekly checklists. Tuesday’s when the creativity kicks in: I write music, update my DJ setlist, stream on Twitch when I can. Wednesday to Friday is more active—I go out, work out, hit arcades, attend meetups, or work as a technician for events. Saturday? It’s all in. DJ gigs, business meetings, creative hours—it’s a jumble,” he explains. “It felt like an iPod Playlist but always shuffles for the most part.”

He also credits investing in a small, portable laptop for helping him stay mobile and productive wherever he goes.

Leading with Heart at Matsuri

NicDroid’s role at Matsuri, a Filipino-Japanese cultural crossover event, might have started unexpectedly, but he quickly became its connective tissue.

“I’m more comfortable being known as the Public Relations head,” he clarifies. “Despite good communication, language barriers still happen when two nationalities (Filipino and Japanese) work together. Internally, it did set a good example of our goal why Matsuri was born: A friendship between Filipino and Japanese communities through cultural crossover.”

The event has since grown beyond cosplay and anime, offering audiences deeper appreciation of Japanese performance art and music.

The Beat of Maxbeat

Nic’s love for rhythm games didn’t just stay personal—it bloomed into Maxbeat Philippines, a movement that mixes hype with heartfelt community care.

“MAXBEAT Philippines is a cumulative project I did with my former group,” he says. “I’ve been in the music rhythm game community for years and nobody in the Philippines is doing a good production that would set a standard and for the general public to understand why this is actually hype and very fun to get involved at.”

From launching Maimai Territory Battles to supporting teams like Team Maimai DX, Nic shares that the community’s enthusiasm and collaboration keep it alive.

Music as a Lifeline

Coming from a family of musicians, Nic’s passion for rhythm games goes way back. “I started playing keyboard at the age of 7 with just what my dad taught me. Thanks to beatmania, I still play today and proudly achieved a high-ranking status. Maybe if it wasn’t for that game, I wouldn’t think of becoming a real DJ.”

Music games didn’t just influence his music—it shaped his life philosophy. “Interaction is the key to getting a great experience. I always give the example of playing ‘All I Do is Win’ by DJ Khaled where the part goes ‘Everybody hands go up’ and usually club goers go, ‘P*****ina alak pa!’ It plays the role of enjoying music too.”

Staying Human in a Hyper-Connected World

With his wide array of roles and commitments, one might wonder how Nic stays grounded. His answer? Community and compassion.

“Majority [through] social media, attending partners’ events, supporting their own engagements… What matters to me is they’re making progress in their passion despite real life hurdles,” he says. “That’s why I had this Pope Francis effect where I only treat everyone as a person or a friend on its own.”

When it’s time to recharge, he opts for throttle therapy. “I ride a motorcycle and I enjoy doing solo (or with my girlfriend) long rides… If I can’t do road trips, I turn my room into an arcade and grind. I promised myself I’ll be playing [Taiko no Tatsujin] week-long just to get good and it’s still refreshing.”

Bringing It All Together

So do all of Nic’s interests eventually converge?

“50-50 and either way, I’m okay with it. There are still some passions that have to be divided and the majority will cross paths… That’s what I aim for as a Content Creator with the tagline: ‘Music, Gaming, and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.’”

Words to Live By

For those who want to juggle passions the way he does, Nic offers grounded advice: “Don’t go into multiple projects without knowing basic time management. Believe me, I had this mistake and even as of this interview, I’m still fixing it.”

And despite being immersed in technology, he emphasizes the old-school wisdom of writing things down. “My girlfriend told me this—even in the digital age, it’s still good to write all of your ideas (even your doodles).”

Finally, he reminds others—and himself—to breathe. “Learn to take a break when you burn out and do other things for a while, and you’ll be surprised when you come back, you’ll come back stronger.” Quoting OK Go, he adds, “This too shall pass.”