Judges, welcome back to another edition of Judge of the Week! This week we’re taking a trip to Uruguay, to learn more about one of voices of the ‘Jueces en Vivo’ podcast, Facundo Barboza!
Name: Facundo Barboza
Level: 1
Location: Uruguay – South America
Judge start date: Feb 2015
Occupation: Startup Manager
Favorite card: Voice of Resurgence
Least favorite card: Spellskite.. ughh
Favorite format: Standard
Commander General: Narset, Enlightened Master
Favorite non-Magic Game: DixIt!
Best tournament result: 2nd place WMCQ 2015 and 2016. 1ST at PPTQ Kaladesh
Random fact about yourself: I really love everything about Batman..
Why do you Judge?
I love to increase my knowledge in every aspect of my life. I helped in the local store here in Uruguay in every tournament so, my certification was natural.
Tell us your favorite Judge story.
My very first Competitive REL tournament.. I was really nervous. It was a Modern WMCQ. I had 10 rulings involving Spellskite. That’s why I hate that card so much!
You were nominated for you work with “Jueces en Vivo” podcast. Can you tell us about it?
Jueces en Vivo (or Judges Live in English) is the official judge Podcast for the LatAm community. It is a very huge project involving two great friends, Federico Donner, L3 from Uruguay and Janit Mindis
, L2 from Argentina. We already have something like 20 episodes and there are lots of Judges in the whole continent listening to us every week. That’s awesome because we can connect every spot in South America talking about the Judge Program and giving candidates the tools to get into the program as well.
What are some tips you have for other Judges?
Read! Talk to other Judges! Join projects! and don’t be afraid of anything… Everyone of us have something to give to the Judge Program, either working at events or helping in the different projects that we have. There’s always something to do and someone to meet!
What is your favorite non-judging moment that happened with other Judges (or after event story)?
Last year, in the regional conference in Argentina, we made a jokes contest. I won (naturally) but that joke had some spicy contents… So, I had to tell that joke in front of EVERY judge attending that conference… I was shocked. But everyone laughed and I got my prize… A group hug. Also, when sleeping, I cover myself with 6 WMCQ Top 8 Playmats from Mathias Urban L1 from Uruguay… 6 Top 8s in WMCQs. We use those as blankets.
What challenges have you faced or are you facing to become a better judge, and how have you worked to overcome them?
Learning the rules sometimes can be a little stressful. A lot of colleagues helped me with a bunch of methods to improve my learning process and how to link that learning with actual rulings in actual tournaments. I’m really sociable and an actual actor in my “real” life.. so interacting with players wasn’t my problem. But sometimes you have to be really precise when giving a ruling… With out study, that could be a bit difficult, no matter how sociable and open-minded you are.
Who have been some of your biggest mentors in the Judge Program, and what did they teach you? By far, Federico Donner from Uruguay was my biggest mentor. He certified me and taught me everything I needed to become a great judge. He is the referent in my country and everybody respects him. Also, my RC Adrian Estoup
and Damian Hiller
from Argentina gave me a bunch of tools to improve.
What positive aspects has the Judge Program contributed to your everyday life?
It’s amazing how this program can change your entire life.. It change my behavior in my daily job, having a lot of people in charge can be sketchy sometimes, but the program gives you the tools to manage, delegate, thinking outside the box, and a lot of other things that, if used correctly, can change your day to day basis.
What’s the best part about your local Magic community?
One word: Sportsmanship. It’s incredibly amazing. Every tournament is a friendly environment in which no matter who ends up winning. The only thing that matter is to improve as a community.
What is your favorite non-Magic hobby?
I’m a dancer and actor here. National and South-American Hip Hop dance / Street dance Champion. I represented Uruguay in the Hip Hop Dance World Championship in Las Vegas in 2012. You can search in You Tube for Panik Crew and see me 🙂
How did you get involved in Magic in the first place?
At high school. Judgment just released and I bought a pre-constructed deck. I loved it right away
If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would love to talk with Michael Jackson.. I don’t know why.. But I have a lot of questions to ask him. Also, I want him to teach me some dance moves!
If you were a Planeswalker what would be your ultimate?
I love this question! It would be: You get an emblem with: “Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, put a Token that’s a copy of that creature that has: “(2):Change a target of target spell or ability to this creature.”
Proudest moment of your Judge life?
Believe it or not, the day that I didn’t approve my L2 exam.. Why? Because I was proud of myself in how I took it and how it opened my mind regarding the Judge Program. It’s not about claiming levels like a game. Everything else that involve the players, your colleges, your friends.. that’s the Judge Program. Step up and continue!
What character in Magic (real or fictional) represents you the best, and why?
Ixidor… Because I can impersonate the art of that card in excellent fashion in every tournament saying: “Who am I?” Nobody ever got it wrong.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
If you know some Spanish.. listen to Jueces en Vivo! It would be awesome!
Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following statements are true and one is false. Figure out which!
- I hate cheese.
- I know the first 150 Pokemon.
- I love Coldplay
If there is a judge who is also doing something exemplary, please nominate a judge TODAY!