The Art of Surfing The Squirtle Wave
You might know Daniel as one of the co-hosts of The Daily Ketchup podcast, where he chats about everything from current affairs to everyday curiosities. On the side, he’s also involved with Clumzy Plumzy, a locally-inspired spirits brand with a cheeky twist.
But did you know? Beyond the mics and mixers, Daniel’s very much a huge Squirtle aficionado. And what started as a nostalgic spark from childhood has grown into a meaningful and ever-evolving hobby; one he now shares with his beloved wife.
How A Vietnam Trip Reignited The Fire Within
Daniel’s journey into collecting began back in 1999 as a kid, but like many childhood hobbies, it faded with time.
That all changed in 2024 during a company trip to Vietnam, when he watched two colleagues go out of their way to hunt down a local game store in search of an Elite Trainer Box. Something about that moment sparked a flood of memories from his younger days.
Not long after, his social media algorithm caught the scent of his nostalgia and flooded his feed with Pokémon content, including videos from Coop’s Collection, whose infectious kindness and passion pulled him even deeper.
Things really snowballed when Daniel spotted an ad for a card show at the National Library Building. He immediately convinced his wife to go with him, and what was meant to be a casual visit turned into a full-blown collecting spree. That day itself, they hit SGCS, 1Collectibles, and Newtro Gaming all in one go; walking away with a ton of cards and a brand new shared obsession.
A Special Squirtle & A Small Act of Love
Among Daniel’s growing collection, one card holds a special place in his heart: the 2002 McDonald’s Squirtle Promo. Finding a copy in good condition, let alone one with the a swirl pattern, had proven to be a real challenge.
In fact, he had been eyeing a particular card at Matt’s Vault, and kept returning to the store just to admire it from afar.
On one of those visits, his wife asked how much he’d be willing to pay for it. When he quoted about 70% of the asking price, she pulled out her phone, transferred the remaining balance on the spot, and simply said, “Go and buy it.”
That moment of love and sincerity meant the world to Daniel, and gave the card a story no price tag could match.
The Hunt For The Offbeat and Obscure
Today, Daniel’s collecting journey has moved beyond the mainline TCG. He’s now focused on hunting down lesser-known Squirtle-themed cards and item; the kind of off-the-radar collectibles that come with their own unique stories.
One standout moment came at the recent Singapore Card Show at Expo, where he stumbled upon a Squirtle scratchcard tucked away in a binder. He hadn’t even known of its existence prior, and he wasted no time in snapping it up!
Collect within your means; (collecting) should never take over the needs of everyday life. It’s perfectly fine to take a break and regen, before coming back when you’re ready. Sometimes rushing into completing certain sets can cause burnout.
The Personal Touch Behind Every Collection
For Daniel, what keeps the hobby exciting is how personal and flexible it can be for anyone. Whether it’s chasing high-value grails, building quirky jank collections, or gathering playables for deck-building, collecting can take whatever shape one wants.
His advice for new collectors? Pick a Pokémon and start there. His wife began collecting Woopers, and the two of them still light up whenever they find a new common or uncommon in a binder or jank box.
Because at the end of the day, collecting isn’t just about rarity; because some cards may be common, but the moments behind them are anything but.
Connect With Daniel And Follow His Collecting Journey!
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