It seems in these days of economic crisis and dwindling resources, trivial stuff like toys, hobbies and games would be the furthest thing from people’s minds. But apparently, hobbyists and collectors remain unfazed by this downturn and instead stay steady in anticipation for the next big thing in the pop culture landscape to turn collectible. They don’t have much long to wait, as the biggest event in pop culture, sci-fi/fantasy and mass media touches down in June with an explosive impact!
The 8th Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention 2009 hits hard with the most anticipated gathering of toy distributors, gamers, pop memorabilia collectors and cosplay enthusiasts this side of the planet. This year’s TOYCON will take place on June 13 and 14, at the SM Megatrade Hall 2 and 3 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Highlight for the event this year will be the launch of summer movie blockbusters, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and the much awaited GI JOE: Rise of Cobra. Transformers and GI Joe fans will revel in these two famous toy properties with a collectors’ exhibit and movie merchandising displays from the movie’s distributor, Solar-Pioneer films.
Another exciting highlight for the event is the presence of MINDstyle, an international design company that focuses on delivering unique and original works to a very exclusive market by way of quality limited collectibles. They pioneered the vinyl toy design world with such artists as Michael Lau, Kathie Olivas, Brant Peters, Ron English and Buff Monster. MINDstyle will bring in two internationally renowned toy designers: Tim Tsui, one of the hottest Hong Kong figure artist illustrators. He has exhibited his works word wide designing everything from sneakers to toys to comics. And TobyHK, MINDstyle’s creative director whose works range from graphics, illustrations, web designs, characters or vinyl figures.
TOYCON will host the Philippine leg of MINDstyle and Disney’s Stitch Experiment 626 Project Custom Art Tour, a fresh look at the beloved Disney character through the eyes of some of today’s brightest artists in the vinyl toy design field. The tour will feature hand-customized, one-of-a kind versions of a special DIY blank Stitch created expressly for the Philippine TOYCON.
TOYCON wouldn’t be complete without the annual Live Action Figure Cosplay competition, the biggest gathering of all, sci-fi/fantasy, comics and anime-inspired costume players in the Philippines. And of course the main draw for collectors is the huge retailer floor where they can hunt for the rarest and latest, most sought-after collectors’ pieces ranging from action figures, dolls, diecast cars and robots, comics and cards, artwork and pop memorabilia from all over the world.
The 8th Philippine TOYCON is sure to be the pinnacle of this year’s pop culture conventions. It will certainly have everything there for young and old alike to share and enjoy.
TOYCON is organized by Collectibles Unlimited partnered with the SM Megatrade Hall and is presented by Globe Broadband, Solar Entertainment and HERO. Also brought to you by Royal Tru Orange, Maxi Collector, Comic Odyssey, E-Games, MINDstyle, Toy Kingdom, and WACOM. In cooperation with SugarFree and Blue, Warner Brothers and Creative Voices with media partners, Jack TV, ABS-CBN, Fudge Magazine and the official music channel, MTV.
The 8th Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention
June 13-14, 2009
Megatrade Hall 2-3 and Conference Center A and B
SM Megamall, 5th Level Bldg. B
10am-9pm
www.toyconph.com
