World Cosplay Summit Philippines National Finals at ToyCon 2017 on July 1 A quick reminder to all — the World Cosplay Summit Philippines National Finals (#WCSPH) will be held at ToyCon 2017 this July 1, Saturday. Aside from the competitors from Manila, Bicol and Davao, we now have competitors from Bacolod (selected during the Ambox’s Visayas Cosplay Summit qualifiers). To recap — In Manila, two pairs are selected by default in December last year. [Read more: https://jayagonoy.com/team-reality-team-kanor-cubes-to-represent-ncr-in-wcsph-2017-ac95f158e0a3] ...

Howdy, all — before I go on radio silence for ToyCon 2017, let’s get to the details so far of this year’s pop culture extravaganza. Here are some of the highlights mentioned during the Press Conference held at Uptown Place Mall BGC last Sunday: It has occupied the whole of SMX. Last time, the whole show was just the whole ground level of SMX plus the Function Room 5 upstairs. Creators’ Stage— PopLife’s Pro-Am studios invites Content Creators to check out the Creators’ Stage at the second level. They’re also holding auditions for the next big online talent too! Launch of licensed Pinoy superhero merch— Specifically, on the side of Mars Ravelo’s properties. There will be merchandise based on his characters (and yes, licensed figures too). ToyCon Gallery = Toy Booths + Artists’ Gallery— The doubled-up gallery area will show the classics and contemporary in one space. WCSPH National Finals to be held at ToyCon— Also, no CosFanX this time; but the ToyCon Cosplay Contest will be “back with a vengeance,” according to Exhibits lead Vic Yap. Check out the pictures (and a video summary) below. ...

If you want to get a glimpse of ToyCon, here’s your chance The ToyCon x PopLife FanExperience wil be held on the weekend of June 30 to July 2 at SMX Manila — but before that, a Launch Event will be held at the Uptown Mall inside the Bonifacio Global City starting now until Sunday. Last year, there was no ToyCon Launch event, so I am happy that they will have one this year — and of course, they will have a press conference with it. ...

June 11, 2017 — Mind Museum at BGC Taguig I passed by the Mind Museum at the BGC to check out the Manila Mini Maker Faire. This weekend event boasts of various exhibits about creativity and just plainly making things in general. Among the photos in this gallery include: A different way to present and package cupcakes all in one— I’ve been told that this student project has been presented to entreps in Iligan city, and so I mentioned that the Department of Science and Technology has its packaging division that they might want to check out. I’m positive for it, if I say so myself. A demo of LittleBits and how it works— while it’s not necessarily in the internet-of-things landscape, it shows the bare basics of how kids can make tech stuff. SkyEye Drone Racing Series— while I was only able to see just one round due to time constraints, I’m already in daydream mode on how this should be broadcast all over the local TV or the internet. I also did a short video montage in the end of this post. See you in the next events! ...

Last week was a busy and a happy one for me — me and Ma were given an opportunity to bond together overnight at the Mall of Asia Complex, where I gave her a taste of Indonesia through a dessert served at the World Street Food Congress located at the Concert Grounds. The Congress has set up three huge tents (plus one for the dialogue), filled with food stalls which are cooking amazing food from different parts of the country and the rest of the world. ...

21 West Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City — open from 11 AM to 2 PM, and 5:30 PM to 10 PM Barangay Kapitolyo in Pasig is the home to Gastro Park and a lot of restaurants where those who want to wind down after a week of work can do so through food. There’s this resto called Haru located at 21 West Capitol Drive, just a few walks away from where I work. I always see it on my left as I pass by. ...

It was a one hot Sunday in Quezon City when I visited the other end of Maginhawa St. in Quezon City. In Quezon City, if you want to pig out, you take note of this area, where a lot of specialty restaurants popped out, making it among the destinations for foodies. Just a long walk away from the UP Diliman Campus is the Red Monster Shop + Cafe. I’ve heard of Red Monster in conventions before as a merchandiser, but it’s really great that they have their own physical shop as well — many themed fan-gathering events are held on this space, some of which are related to either LoveLive! or Yuri!!! on Ice. Heck, they even have an upcoming Osomatsu-san themed cafe there. ...

Last weekend, I went to another (sorta) out-of-town visit and checked out the Pinoy Otaku Festival at the Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces in Quezon City. I’ve experienced many two-hour trips to Bulacan, to Alabang, to SMX Manila and other faraway places; and I’m pretty sure I’m getting used to these kinds of trips (I hope). Fairview Terraces is the Ayala Mall for the people residing in the Novaliches area. I had to speak this out: In just a few walks away you’re either at SM City Fairview or Robinsons Novaliches. I also think these three malls have a hierarchy of target markets, but that’s another story altogether. ...

A narrative of “Kantai Collection Movie Sequence” as I watched its one-day screening at the SM Megamall Cinema 11 last May 6, 2017. (with Spoilers) One Saturday, I told my boss that I’ll be out for a moment. A few words later, he asked me if the “time machine” I had is working, so I said, “Yes sir, it’s working, and it will transport me to 1942, where the ships are females.” Yep. ...

Sundays are very hot. No exceptions. But if you imagine yourself at the newest Japanese food court, eating a big bowl of ramen and talking among your friends, it feels OK. I went to Victory Food Market’s Yokocho Japanese Food Court not just to have a quick food trip but to check up on the venue’s first otaku event, Nihonfest 2017. Yokocho is located at the 4th level, and is a long walk away from the LRT Baclaran station, just facing the Redemptorist Church compound. Just established this year, they have a gradual flow of visitors, according to one staff I spoke to. ...