Why are 'Trese' fans disappointed over creators' jump to NFT?

No Choc-Nut for you, Nuno

“Trese” creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo surprised fans last January with the launch of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) inspired by the Filipino graphic novel. To make it happen, Baldisimo collaborated with NFT artist Luis Buenaventura in producing a series of digital collectibles.

Dubbed “Trese x Cryptopop,” their partnership produced “unique motion paintings featuring characters from the ‘Trese’ universe: Alexandra Trese, the Kambal, and the Tikbalang. The musical soundscape for each piece was created by guitarist and designer Marco Palinar,” according to Opensea, a digital marketplace for NFT where the pieces were posted and to be sold in exchange for Ethereum (ETH) cryptocurrency.

While it is not new for the “Trese” creators to explore different mediums and platforms when it comes to their works, this jump to NFT didn’t sit well with their fans they expressed their disappointment through comments on the “Trese” Facebook page.

One commenter posted, “Y’all literally has a story about f*cking climate change and you pull this shit?!? This is disappointing on several levels.” Another wrote, “I heavily agree with one of the comments here mentioning that a ‘Trese’ story was released regarding climate change. The impact of NFTs and crypto, admittedly, is not as drastic as it is often said, however, it is still an avoidable source of environmental destruction as NFTs are quite pointless to own, considering that a person can easily save the image and own it (not the token/receipt itself, though they still have a copy of the supposedly unique image).”

For a while now, NFTs have been at the center of criticism regarding their environmental impact. A story by CBS News states that “annually, Ethereum is currently estimated to consume roughly 44.94 terawatt-hours of electrical energy, which is comparable to the yearly power consumption of countries like Qatar and Hungary.” On the other hand, “Bitcoin uses more electricity than entire countries like Argentina, Sweden, or Pakistan,” according to research by Cambridge University as reported by The New York Times. While more studies are yet to be done with regards to the crypto world’s effect on the planet, many are now stepping up to find possible solutions, and even make its landscape as zero carbon footprint as possible.

In response to their fans’ reaction, a statement has been posted on “Trese” Facebook page on Jan. 25.

“If me and Kajo decide to try out a new platform to tell our stories, we’re doing it because it looks like a fun, new way to share our stories,” it stated. “If you, dear reader, don’t agree with the platform/format/network/channel/medium/partner/etc., then you are free to come over to the bar, sit down with us, and tell us why. Can’t we have a chat about this? Instead of throwing curses and accusations at us?”

“I would like to think that in the time we have welcomed you in ‘The Diabolical,’ we have treated you properly and respectfully. Share with us your knowledge, your wisdom, your point of view. And if we have questions, we hope you will be patient enough to answer them. Later on, we will make our own decision,” it added. “And if still don’t agree with our final decision and you truly feel you need to leave ‘The Diabolical,’ then you still have our heartfelt thanks for spending the past 15 years or even just the past 15 seconds with us. And I hope that you continue to read and support other Filipino comic book creators and help spread stories about our folklore and mythology in your own, unique way!”

Read their full statement here.

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