Events

I have not written anything substantial in this space for a long time, so it’s already time to whip up something special. Remember the time when I was roleplaying at three Fate/Grand Order theme cafes? (Links below) I’m sorry to say that’s the thing of the past, because at this time and age, ang buong Pilipinas ay Genshin Impact. Genshin Impact looked attractive because of its good character designs, catering to everyone’s varied tastes. Events in the Philippines cannot escape the groups of Genshin Impact cosplays. I even got into a Genshin Impact maid cafe myself! (Thanks, OtaCute) ...

TOYCON returns to the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls next weekend, July 8 to 10, 2022. Megatrade Hall served as home to TOYCON for a long time, before it moved to SMX Manila in 2016 as its audience grew bigger. What does TOYCON’s return to Megatrade mean to me? Memories—lots of memories. My first TOYCON was at the Megatrade, after all. Let’s go back to 2010, when my older cousin and I visited its 9th edition. At that time, DC Comics was celebrating its 75th year; 2RATS, CSCENTRL and GamerTotoy exist; Encantadia was the hit TV series; OTACOOL was one of my dream books to collect; and I was just having fun. Those were good times. ...

Ateneo de Manila-based independent otaku organization Touyou no Shinjuu (Toushin) held its second Toucon Online last weekend (June 17-19). The event, considered as the country’s first student-organized online otaku event during this pandemic, presented activities catered to cosplayers, console gamers and anime fans alike. It was attended by over a hundred fans on Discord, and was viewed hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitch. Which Segments I’ve Watched at TouCon Online 2022? One of their segments on Day 1 is pretty unique - a Wikipedia speed run where the fastest who can reach a certain article wins. The fastest speed run recorded went from Among Us to Manga in just 10 seconds. ...

Events are back - and so we are. The keepsakes. team is on and around again doing what we do best: Share stories together with our friends in the community. This time, we are visiting the 6200 Geek Con, happening at the Southview Hotel in Brgy. Banilad, Dumaguete City on the weekend of June 11 and 12, 2022. Organized by Karen J. A. Gumapac and Portia Bernadette N. Bation of Art Moves PH, and co-organized by the Silliman University Geek Culture Society, the 6200 Geek Con has a total of 10 exhibitors, 29 artist booths, and two days of activities for the Negrense audience. (The ZIP code for Dumaguete City is 6200.) ...

We are witnessing the return of physical events - and as we speak, two venues are taking charge of bringing back the glorious days of cosplay conventions. One of which is the OtaCute, who will hold its Otasuke Cosplay Festival on the weekend of April 23-24, 2022. The two-day event will have Karaoke and Cosplay competitions, as well as performances from guests and Otasuke ambassadors. The Maid Cafe also returns after a successful run last month. ...

It’s been a long time since I conducted a talk online, and I am given an opportunity to do so once more. Touyou no Shinju (Toushin) holds Fandom February 2022 this month, hosting another set of discussions on anime culture. Fandom February 2022 is filled with talks from Josei Manga, Fansubbing, JRPG, Parasocial Relationships, Rhythm Games and more. This event goes live on Zoom and on Twitch on all Fridays of February. ...

Squeenix Productions, a group composed of fans of Square Enix games, will celebrate the 34th Anniversary of Final Fantasy series online this December 18, Saturday. The Virtual FF 34th Anniversary Party will be streamed live on Facebook from 8pm to 12 midnight Philippine Time. This 4-hour live stream will feature game tournaments, a fund-raising auction and a virtual concert. There will also be a live cosplay meet for fans and cosplayers alike. More details are posted by the organizer Squeenix Productions on Facebook. ...

…are all selfies with the standees. Enhanced cosplay photos (without me in it because I wanted it that way) will be posted on a separate time.

After another grueling week of handling online events, I finally took a long rest. I then checked my Facebook to see what’s up. It’s HoYoFest, MiHoYo’s special event for its fans in Southeast Asia. The Moon Rabbit Cafe in San Juan is the lucky restaurant to represent HoYoFest in the Philippines. I’ve seen and shared their posts on Facebook. What brought me to decide to have my lunch there is a post from a cosplayer I’m following. ...

The 4th of July is a tradition among all Americans, but for anime fans stuck at home like me, there’s another tradition for such. It’s already a year since, and nothing has changed so far: I’m still watching online conventions, just like then. Well, there are things that have changed: For one, I don’t stay awake just because I want to see an anime con online. This time, I’m also doing it to sniff out what news is going to pop - or in my case, what feature story can my colleagues write about. ...