If this is your first time hearing the name Richard Abelardo or Chard, or Chardified, imagine the ultimate lovable nerd who breathes art like oxygen. Music, movies, prosthetics, cosplay, anything that transforms imagination into reality is his language. He’s the artist who brought Mojo Jojo and Shrek to life in the Filipino cosplay scene, and he does it with heart, humor, and a whole lot of passion.

Growing Up in a World of Magic

Cosplay was never just a random hobby. It was the air he grew up breathing. His dad has been a prosthetic artist in film and TV for over three decades, so while most kids were watching cartoons, Chard was pointing at monsters saying, “Pa, kaya kaya natin gawin ‘to?” His dad would laugh and reply, “Kaya yan pag may budget.”

Back then, Chard only had enough money to attend conventions, not build for them. But the moment he landed his first job, he poured everything into cosplay. From curiosity, it became a hobby. From a hobby, it grew into a passion. And today, it’s his way of inspiring others to believe one thing with all their heart – cosplay is for everyone.

The First Creations and the Joy of Making

His first cosplay was Elias Ainsworth from The Ancient Magus’ Bride, made almost entirely from junk shop finds. No fancy labs or high-end studios, just creativity and resourcefulness. Looking back, he laughs at how simple it was, but also how far he’s come. Because for Chard, learning never stopped.

He loves the chaos behind the craft, the research, sculpting, experiments, mistakes, and breakthroughs before the final reveal. He still learns from his dad every day, experimenting with scars, prosthetics, and masks, evolving from simple props to full facial transformations where people don’t even recognize him anymore. That, he says, is his favorite flex.

Why He Keeps Going

His motivation is simple – the smiles. The screams of kids, the titas taking selfies, the elderly lady who once hugged him as Mojo Jojo and whispered, “Thank you for making all of our day.” Every costume equals at least one new friend, and that’s the kind of math he lives for.

Stepping Into the Spotlight and Beyond

His first competition as Mojo Jojo wasn’t about winning, it was about courage. “There’s always a first time for everything, and the moment you overcome it, the rest will follow.” For Chard, the best cosplay isn’t about accuracy or editing. It’s about pure joy.

His dream list continues to grow – Megamind, Davy Jones, and now The Mask from Jim Carrey’s classic film. The choreography might scare him, but that’s what makes it exciting. Every project is a new challenge, another story to tell through transformation.

The Legacy of Chardified

He wants to be remembered as “The Guy With Many Faces”, an artist who carried on his father’s legacy through transformation, and someone who made people feel something when they saw him: nostalgia, wonder, fear, or joy.

The mark of an Abelardo. The signature of a story told through faces. And that is Chardified.

SOCIALS:

TIKTOK : https://tiktok.com/@chardified
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/chardified