PROFILE

• MARLON PALICPIC
• b. 6-1-90 (26 yo)
• ethnicity: Filipino-Unovan/Alolan
• residence: Humilau City

POKEMON

• Torterra
• Jellicent
• Wailord

ABOUT

• Marlon was born and raised in Humilau City, a booming Unovan town that, like its gym leader, has Alolan roots. His maternal grandparents still live in Alola and he used to visit every summer.
• He's the firstborn of three kids. His fisherman father was often away from home, but made enough to support his family. When Marlon was ten, his father was caught in a storm while out at sea, and never came home. Presumed dead, his son was now the “man of the house”, a position that caused him grow up faster than he would’ve liked. The kid was assigned to look after his siblings, a 7 year old brother and 3 year old sister, along with helping the family business. By 12, he was doing odd-jobs around town while in school; at that point, his education already wasn’t the highest priority on Marlon’s list.
• Marlon reeled in his first Pokemon at 13. Although he was a little late on the whole trainer-game, Marlon was a natural at training Pokemon.
• Instead of pursuing a career in hospitality or tourism--resisting the pressure from not only his mother but his rapidly changing hometown--Marlon became Humilau City's first-ever gym leader at 21. He is the only Unovan gym leader to lack a primary career, partially as an act of subtle rebellion, but also due to his passion for battling.
• His family and many members of the community would prefer to see him focus on a "real job", one that would aid the growth of Humilau as a resort town. Marlon was keen on establishing a gym--the only thing he's been steadily serious about in his life--as he believed it would cement Humilau City as a contender among bigger metro areas.
• Many in the league doubted he could handle the position of 8th gym leader; his personality was perceived as mellow at best and a number of leaders saw him as irresponsible. Marlon earned the respect of his colleagues after holding his own against Drayden...however, many see his reluctance to involve himself in conflicts as an unwelcome contrast to the previous 8th leader.