I have yet to unload the photos I captured from last week’s National Rally for Peace organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo at the Quirino Grandstand. It’s not the first time I spent time with the brethren at such a large gathering, but this one is unlike the last one I attended.
This post covers the early hours of the morning of January 13 all the way until the Rally concludes and everyone goes home. This event was already broadcast to the media, so I’ll share more of my experience instead.
Aside from the main venue Quirino Grandstand (attended by a 1.5 million Church members – the numbers vary depending on who you asked), the rally was also held in 12 other locations across the Philippines.
I have several panorama photos to share along with you as I narrate my experience.
I did a series of interviews at TOYCON 2024 (with special thanks to Ambox Events) featuring guests from Japan and the local idol scene. First on the video above is Ai Negishi, who may be familiar with most idol fans twice my age as the leader of girl group Passpo. (I was more familiar with her as part of D4DJ’s Merm4id member Dalia Matsuyama).
Next video released is Day Night Explorers led by Ashley Cloud. Joining her is Kiku (Yana) and Sara who may be more familiar to others as members of a legendary local idol unit.
Third on the line is Ambox’s homegrown idol group Pastel Mix, who is represented at TOYCON 2024 by Thea, Kanon and Cherry, all surnamed Pyon.
Other Japanese guests we’ve interviewed were BUGVEL, Chicken Blow the Idol, Tenohira El and Sakura Doll. Other groups ZIGA and KUROGURO also performed, but they were performing during the time of our recording.
(I am told KUROGURO disbanded a few days ago, which made me reminisce of the time I interviewed them at ARCHCon Cebu 2023.)
I have released the videos regardless if they were properly subtitled or not, following the conclusion of activities under the keepsakes. brand first mentioned last September, as I focus my attention towards sustaining my other venture, VTuber NewsDrop, as its editor.
I thank Ambox National for their trust — and I’ll continue to support their activities, including their upcoming partnership with Geek+Pop Alpha coming this March 2025 at the World Trade Center.
One account I follow nowadays is this page called “Hey DJ” which is related to the D4DJ franchise. There, they don’t just post D4DJ memes and stuff, they also cover other titles such as BanG Dream! and recently Girls Band Cry.
As far as I can recall, that’s where I learned more about one of those moments which led me to today’s post. I got spoilers for BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!, and you’ve been warned.
The moment I saw the clip where ex-CRYCHIC Soyo Nagaski, now with MyGO!!!!!, goes kaput after performing that one specific CRYCHIC song as MyGO!!!!!. Zooming out, that moment happened on Episode 7 of the BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! anime.
My first appreciation with “Why did we play Haruhikage” as a meme was with the Chinese audience singing the song. Who wondered MyGO!!!!! will be an actual hit in China after all.
I was specifically looking for specific clips of cosplayers in China reenacting scenes from that anime, and not just this one from the beloved Hey DJ Facebook page. (I need help.)
From my observation, you’ll know if your BanG Dream! anime have reached a peak levels especially when a song you play triggers a reenactment, like this one below.
I spent way too much time looking for the reactions from watch parties and stage performances, and just as I was about to give up, itshowedup, thank goodness.
They also released a tool where anyone can make posters using some of their assets to promote the movie, and the Twitter tag was full of good art and memes.
Segway: Am I a stranger to Bandori?
No, not really. I know that the idea for the whole BanG Dream! franchise started with THE iDOLM@STER (sauce).
This is just one part of EiEn Subs’ documentary on Aimi, go watch the playlist to understand more about Aimi before Bandori and fill the gaps about her history.
…and before most of you got to know Bandori, I was already playing Konomama, Zutto. (Not knowing that that exact song is the ED theme for Weiss Schwarz Portable) The lady didn’t know the impact she brought to my life.
If there’s any chance that Aimi visits the Philippines, I would heavily love to meet her in person and ask her what she thinks of the song that left a lasting impression in me.
I do not know every single one of you reading this if you knew Aimi during her solo singer days, her iM@S days, as Millaarc Cranstoun or Carla Vargas. In this house, we love and respect leaders past and present. I describe Aimi as a pioneering leader despite all odds.
The whole point of this post was to talk about Bushiroad Expo 2024 Manila held on the weekend of October 12-13 at Ayala Malls Trinoma (Triangle North of Manila).
The Expo featured Bushiroad’s intellectual properties, primarily the games it publishes under its Bushiroad Games brand, trading card games like Shadowverse, Weiss Schwarz, CardfightII Vanguard, figures, its BanG Dream! media mix as well as its Yumenokessho AI singing synthesizer.
A Bushiroad Expo experience won’t be complete without guests: For Manila, Bushiroad got Kris aka DifferentFight and voice actress Rin Tateishi (Chihaya Anon in BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!).
When the guests were first announced, this popped up:
When I looked up what Anon Tokyo is, I get directed to this website which I think was set up as a joke (it must be, that isn’t what I wanted to find out about Anon Tokyo first). I found out what Anon Tokyo is, but I ended up riding along the Anon Manila gag and it was ok.
Kapag hindi ako nakakakita ng cosplayers na pwede kong picturan ay nanghihina ako, so I am thankful to the cosplayers who went to the event, including the Merm4id crew. (Also watch my interview with Ai Negishi, the voice of Dalia Matsuyama at TOYCON 2024)
Rin Tateishi’s segment happened and we are all standing by at the stage area to know what’s the latest. While photography was not allowed, I got my notes ready:
This is Rin Tateishi’s first time in the Philippines. “I’m very happy to visit Manila and meet you guys!”
It’s getting a bit colder in Japan, but when Rincharo arrived in Manila, she was surprised to feel the warm weather.
The audience was hyped watching a clip from MyGO!!!!!
New bands in 2023: Ave Mujica and Mugendai Newtype (Yumemita). (I have to talk about Yumemita on NewsDrop soon, because we overlooked this group who debuted first as VTubers).
Rincharo’s opinion on the It’s MyGO!!!!! anime: It’s emotionally fulfilling. In the anime, the band resolves their conflicts and move forward together.
The character of Chihaya Anon is different from Rincharo, she says. She’s the type of person who gets pulled along, in contrast to Anon who keeps the band together.
More news out of Garupa (BanG Dream! Girls Band Party, the mobile game): 7th year anniversary celebration is set, and now MyGO!!!!!’s songs will be added to the English version of the app. Here are other schedules for the EN gamers:
Starting from the end of October 2024, a 6.5th anniversary campaign will be set, which includes the following campaigns:
Free 10 play a day gacha
Celebration login
Medal gift camp
Item exchange
5-star member guaranteed gacha
Special miracle ticket sales
Star discounts
Premium item set
Social media campaign and more
If not for the poor internet connection, select audience members could have played with Rincharo. “Muzukashii kamo shiranai.” However, she looks forward to do it in the future.
Rincharo said dried mangoes are one of her favorites. Due to regulations, you can’t just carry fruits like Cebu mangoes (y’all forgot the ones from Guimaras, smh) from other countries into Japan.
Audience members were allowed to send gifts to Rincharo, so one of them bought dried mangoes for her.)
The one who cosplayed Anon (named Kaya) suggested Polvoron and Yema as souvenirs.
Capping off Saturday’s talk session, Rincharo always wondered about the fandom in the Philippines, and she’s happy to see everyone appear to support the BanG Dream! game and the anime.
An autograph signing session happened afterwards. Then we got to watch It’s MyGO!!!!! the moment after.
This is how the autograph looked like. Fans queued up as earely as they can, even before the mall opens, to get the opportunity to meet and greet Rincharo. (Not mine.)
By this time, I have only watched two episodes of the MyGO!!!!! anime, and it’s already done as we speak. That gives me more time to watch the full 13-episode series, and I hope I can appreciate it beyond the memes. The Ave Mujica anime will air next year, so I still have time to understand why people watch the Raging Teenage Hormones-induced series.
*Some notes about Day 2: I wasn’t present that day, but seeing a MyGO!!!!! cosplay group is a blessing, more so the moment when Episode 7 was screened and they did what I’d like to see:
Dalawang linggo na since naganap yung PGDX sa SMX. Andami kong nagawa doon sa loob ng isa’t kalahating araw:
I took the time at the Expo’s industry area and met with the representative of the Taipei Game Show (meron sila next year), Xsolla, International Esports Federation (IESF). Later on, I’ll get back to them for NewsDrop.
At the media area, I am introduced to the head of Malaysia’s GamerBraves and the head of Todak Studios, Neo Todak.
Kachi of PC Worth — the one and only — was present at the Expo floor… and so are the several Dolias at the Honor of Kings booth.
I caught up with my good friends from Capriccioso Studio in Cebu at the Indie Game hall AND the Networking Night.
I also met the game director of Until Then, whom I secured a quick interview for NewsDrop.
Speaking of Networking Night, I took rounds talking to people at the latter hours of the night (over great food and bottomless iced tea).
Last but not the least, I get to meet again my friends in the community – some got selfies with me.
Another major activity is the announcement of ATLUS’ Metaphor: ReFantazio at the main stage on Day 2. Too Much Gaming has a good description of what has transpired there.
For the most part, I was able to take photos of the event and its activities:
I can point out three things about this year’s event:
Malaysia. It’s not just Todak who’s the only Malaysian brand coming to PGDX – I did mention GamerBraves earlier, but I found out late that The Magic Rain was also there. Both brands enjoy a market share in Malaysia.
Industry Relations. Having several international brands at the industry lounge is great, because for someone like me who’s keen to know more about statistics in related industries (like VTubing, of course it would be VTubing, my 100% bias).
Satisfaction. The second PGDX is the next best thing in the country’s pop culture event circuit after its supposed major competitor. It’s the only major gaming event that has happened this year.
You got tournaments, the big game and tech showcases, the cosplays, the free hydration, on top of the workshops anchored by local and international speakers (I dropped by the workshop areas, one of them is clearly jam-packed).
This is my second time being invited to the PGDX — you can check my entry from last year — and I would definitely look forward again to next year’s activities.
Last year, pumunta ako sa Philippine Game Dev Expo, at masaya naman ako sa results: I was able to test yung mga Indie Games being showcased there, tapos nag-cover rin ako for NewsDrop: Duon ko unang nakita si Ran-kun ng Rumble Royale after all.
Organized by CBZN Perspective and Game Development Association of the Philippines or GDAP, the Expo is a groundbreaking event that unites the gaming industry and showcase the wealth of talent within the Filipino gaming community.
Mga humigit kumulang 18,000 lang naman ang naglabas-pasok sa PGDX last year, on top of 54 confirmed meetings in its business-to-business (B2B) platform.
What’s Inside PGDX 2024?
For first-timers, ang PGDX na sinet-up last year ay nagso-showcase ng mga latest sa game dev scene. Recommended na puntahan ito ng mga nag-aaral na gumawa ng games – local or international, mapa-mobile o desktop.
Maraming ideya at proof of work ang pinapakita dito, so baka makakuha ka ng inspirasyon sa PGDX.
Workshops & Panels: Learn from top industry experts.
Expo Floor: Explore the latest games and technologies – eto talaga ginawa ko last year, umikot sa hall, mag-picture tas mag-test ng mga laro kahit saglit lang.
Indie Game Stars: Get a look at the work of our talented local and international indie game developers.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals and peers – alam ko, may sariling B2B platform ang PGDX where you can exchange virtual contacts and set up meetings.
PGDX 2024 Guest Speakers
This year’s guest speakers include key figures in the game dev industry:
Google Global Program Manager Marcus Foon
Xbox Gaming Ecosystem Global Expansion Manager (Southeast Asia, Taiwan & Hong Kong) Jun Shen Chia
Synergy88 Studio Director Alvin Juban
PlayPark Managing Director Ryan Sacares
Tencent Games / Level Infinite Senior Business Development Manager Benj Dalmacio
Taktyl Studios CEO / Co-Founder James Ronald Lo
Razer Gold Country Manager John Jester Tesoro
Kooapps Philippines Co-Founder Solon Chen
Seaversity, Inc. President Ephrem Dela Cerna Jr.
Mighty Diamonds Product Strategy & Design Consultant Patrick Rose
WBagadion Consulting CEO Weng Bagadion
Character.AI Community Lead Summer Sevilla
and more – wait ako sa full sked nila
Syempre invited tayo ulit na pumunta ng PGDX this year. Meron pa ring tickets for the Philippine Game Dev Expo this coming July 26 to 28 sa SMX Manila Function Rooms 3 to 5: Php495 per day for Expo access. Nasa website ng PGDX ang iba pang tickets such as 1-Day and 3-Day Workshop Passes, as well as 3-Day Expo Pass and merch.
Smart Communications is the Main Presenter for this year’s PGDX. Nga pala, may photo album ako of last year’s PGDX sa Facebook : )
