GameCon.PH 2017

Featuring a video of the event’s highlights and photos of Mobile Legends cosplayers I was at GameCon.ph last weekend at the Megatrade Hall, and instead of describing my experience in prose, I shall explain it a la Snapchat — take a look at the video I’ve just posted. ...

July 9, 2017 · 1 min

Cosplay Photos from ToyCon 2017

yay nesoberis. very neso. Come one, come all — here are some Cosplay photos from ToyCon 2017 x PopLife FanXperience last weekend, June 30 to July 2! Special thanks to Sir Orly for the camera that’s used for the photos. More photos will be uploaded at the Facebook page of Ex-Link Events this week.

July 2, 2017 · 1 min

Manga Hokusai Manga

Art Exhibit featuring Hokusai’s Manga and how it shaped the industry as we see it now Just a week before ToyCon, I visited the Ateneo Art Gallery to witness the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibit presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila with support from Embassy of Japan, Manila. All that I know of Hokusai is the famous painting, which is actually a part of his “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” series, but I didn’t know that he has done something beyond that. The exhibit chronologically shows the works of Hokusai, as well as contemporary works. ...

July 2, 2017 · 2 min

TOYCON 2017 x PopLife FanXperience Press Conference

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. ...

June 18, 2017 · 2 min

ToyCon 2017 Launch Event starts from today until Sunday

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 14, 2017 · 1 min

LittleBits, Drones and Innovation at Manila Mini Maker Faire 2017

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! ...

June 11, 2017 · 1 min

Seiyuu fans gather in Maginhawa. Here’s how it went.

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. ...

June 2, 2017 · 3 min

A fun weekend at the Pinoy Otaku Festival 2017

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. ...

May 23, 2017 · 5 min

What happens when the newest Japanese foodcourt gets its own cosplay event?

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. ...

April 24, 2017 · 2 min

Ikebana in Manila

Hi everyone! This week’s photo set is all about Ikebanas. You know, those intricate flower arrangements that help beautify a living space. There was this exhibit by the Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 in commemoration of its golden year of establishment. The exhibit was held at the Glorietta’s Palm Drive Activity Center (the more modest one) from March 10 to 12, and while I missed out on a lot, below are jut a few snaps from the said area. ...

March 25, 2017 · 1 min