I had a brief conversation at the sidelines of TOYCON’s Summer Prelude at Okada Sunday, April 12. I wasn’t supposed to go because of that one theft incident involving a guest Japanese ensemble Super Macaroni Salad, but I’m glad I did nonetheless. (Photos on Facebook)

Some of you know I staff for TOYCON most of the time, including the one insider I spoke to who told me what the event did after SMS member Tenten’s iPhone was stolen during their performance (It was not clear to me how exactly it got stolen, and I didn’t ask further).

That good friend of mine told me how TOYCON and Okada Manila responded to the matter, adding more nuance to the posts already shared by the group:

  1. They were asked to turn over their phones to their handlers before the performance, something Tenten failed to do so, I understand.
  2. SMS still committed to the scheduled performances even after Tenten got her phone stolen following a performance.
  3. Tenten was only able to report the incident to the police after the event concluded for the day (hence, the posts).

Even with the incident, the group appreciates the help of the event and the venue, and asked everyone not to criticize both of them.

What was left out of the whole scenario are these details: The group needed papers to document that Tenten’s iPhone was stolen, so that she can file a claim once they get back to Japan. An incident report was prepared by the venue in coordination with the organizer, which was then relayed to the police for a blotter report. The documents they need were handed over to them in a prompt manner, that’s how thankful the group was with everyone.

If there’s one thing I learned staffing at events, it’s how incident reports are prepared from the venue and then relayed to the police to be included in their records. I still recall being asked by my boss to be at the Security Office of SMX to serve as witness as two parties settle an incident (documented in paper, by the way — and no, I don’t think I can share that with the public, I understand IRs are supposed to be kept internal).

For the meantime, Tenten got herself a phone to use while she’s still in the country (last weekend, they performed in several areas in the Visayas region, making good use of their stay here).