At last!! I finally made it to the day 3 of Asia Pop Comicon yesterday Sunday, why I call it day 3 and not day 4? its because the 1st day last Thursday is for professional and industry person and its not open for the public, its like a preview day for the media and also a special day to do networking with the organizers, guest, and exhibitors. I went there on the PRO day and I posted a survival guide and what do to inside the event, thanks to all who read, shared and followed my advice after revealing what’s inside the Asia Pop Comicon Manila.
I was planning to go back for the official convention day, which is the 1st day of the event on a Friday, but I terribly missed it after stayed too long for hours working on my blog post for the Asia Pop Comicon, I need to publish that on a Friday because many are planning to visit the site on Saturday and Im glad I posted it before dawn and it helped the convention goers and pop culture fans see whats inside the event, and I was the first to post a preview of it before the evening news airs a special feature of the event, – which gave more boost to their floor traffic for the weekends.
So I failed day 1 and 2 – because of work related matters, and some gigs that I booked months ago, but I did my very best to come and attend day 3, which is the last day of the convention, I missed a lot of interviews, photo ops and shopping moments when I missed day 1 and day 2, but that’s okay, Im sure that next year it will be a lessons learned for both parties – us,the fans, the convention goers and also the organizers and its exhibitors.
It’s a new relationship that was built for the past 4 days, when a taste of comicon was given to us pinoys and for sure…a bigger comicon is coming next year..and also with more improvements.
Wearing my media pass, I went inside the hall with out any hassle, I even saw the convention goers going in and out with no worries or problems, its easy to enter and easy to exit, doors were big, the hallways are so spacious and we can even set a picnic area in one of the floor for families, friends and cosplayers
It’s a lot more fun attending the day 3, because I see the people enjoy the sights and sound of Asia Pop Comicon, parents and kids are in the state of panic to get a better group shot with life size creatures brought by ADI studios.
It’s the same feeling that I have felt when I first entered the venue last PRO day. Im happy that all are satisfied….because their PHP500 entrance is very worth it.
Its funny that Im in my full battle gear – for the first time ever in my events coverage – I brought 3 cameras, 4 smartphones and 2 power bank, this will make sure that I get a lot of coverage, but I felt tired already roaming around the hall and also trying to get the feel of a fanboy again.
It took me hours to get the fanboy vibe..that was when I got an autograph of Simone Legno on my Tokidoki x Marvel shirt
I roam around the hall and continued to snap many photos for my coverage , but then I realized that I should stop sometimes and start to appreciate the crowd around me. They are all happy with the exhibits and also meeting their friends, comic artist idols, celebrities and entertainment personalities.
World Trade Center is a perfect venue for comicons, this was proven when Asia Pop Comicon transformed the entire venue like our own Asgard.
If we worry about traveling from the North side of Manila going to WTC, we saw that many of the con goers traveled their way to reach the venue to see Paul Bettany, Colton Haynes, Nathalie Emmanuel and the other foreign guest. The celebrities are a big help to drive more visitors traffic, now I wonder what was the total number of visitors in a span of 4 days.
Cosplayers and fans of comics and movie characters enjoyed the moment of meeting each other, Cosplayers feel the celebrity complex when a fan wants a photo with them, for us they are like celebrities too. So we respect them for their effort to bring a character to life.
The comic artist and guest artist meet and greet and signing area were jampacked with lots of fans, then I later discovered that the entrance to the panel stage tent is in between the walls of the artist area.
I spotted Mico Suayan at the drawing table doing some finishing touches to a commissioned artwork, I didn’t saw the final art, but I think it’s a Jedi character. I didn’t disturbed him because he is so much in focus in finishing the artwork.
Local celebrities were spotted at Asia Pop Comicon, during day 2, many people spotted Martin Nievera, and now for day 3 I spotted comic fan and celeb RJ Ledesma and Tom Rodriguez
I also spotted Carla Abellana, walking together with Tom. Im not sure if they are there to promote a movie or tv series, or they might be there to meet some comic artist or maybe they are a friend of another comic artist who asked them to drop by.
I didn’t got a chance to talk to them asked who is their favorite comic characters.
A friend also told me to say hi to David Yardin. As usual, I didn’t got the balls to disturb him and say hi….
hahahahaa But I later learned that my friend went there on day 3 to say hi and hello personally.
Yup, they know each other.
Omg.. I was super shy to approach Whilce Portacio, you know that we communicated before via email and Facebook and also sometimes on Twitter, but I didn’t got the courage to talk to him ahahahaha. I was told by his friend to come over at the back to have a photo with Whilce and her, but I told her that I just arrived and I need to cover, I will let the fans meet Whilce first. I will drop by when the crowd is clear.
I am so interested to acquire his Bishop print,. but the problem is…I don’t have a protected case or water proof bag to carry the art back here in Cavite. The rainy weather did helped a lot to my worries….maybe next convention, I will be super prepared to take home these art treasures done by these awesome artist.
I spotted Ner Pedrina, Jason Paz and Stephen Segovia reviewing the portfolio of my artist friend Jake Sumbing, Im surprised that Jake was there to get advice and also review from professional artist
It’s a long wait for us to see and meet David Mack here in the Philippines, one of the most requested artist to visit us here in Manila and now it happened only here at Asia Pop Comicon.
I went to the tent to attend the panel talk with the guest celebrities. I don’t know what’s happening inside and I just missed a few minutes of the panel talk with Colton Haynes.
Im not a fan of Colton Haynes, and also Im not a fan of Arrow, but when I saw him interacting with the fans, and later on revealed that he was a dish washer 5 years ago before he started acting for TV and movie, I super bow down to this guy for his passion and love for entertainment. He didn’t forget his fans, he always thank them in any way --- why I mention it because he was nice to convention volunteers who was there taking care of him for the entire day.
Colton Haynes showed his smartphone and a preview of an upcoming Arsenal action figure.
He said that the toy makers made him a little buff in this action figure. He likes it and he said that He will give some toys to his friends as souvenirs.
Spotted Tim Villasor and his friend, the two dresses up as Arrow and Arsenal. I think they are the only guys at the hall who are in costume.
Girl asked some questions about Arrow….
And the “show your abs” cheer started here.. hahahaha. Colton hold himself not to show it..
sorry fans…
Last look of Colton Haynes at the end of his panel
After some hours, I forgot that there will be another panel talk, I don’t know who is next…but I saw Nathalie Emmanuel exit the guest artist lounge area and was escorted by some kind of Men in Black bodyguards, then I learned that the next panel is her..
But I was busy checking out some toys.. I told myself to go there after my window shopping.
I went to the panel area and missed some parts of the Q and A..
Im glad I saw her upclose….
The Walking Dead Funko Pop! toy figures for FREE at the Fox Asia booth --- its free if you posted an Instagram photo of yourself with the zombie
I posted a photo with the zombie that morning and Im surprised that I received a comment from Fox Asia, they told me to visit their booth and claim my prize..
and here’s my free toy prize!
Rick Grimes….I choose you!!!
Thank you Fox Asia!!!
I went around the hall again….and here I spotted a cool Boba Fett and Jawa costume people
I visited also the Pinoy501st booth…and saw the Han Solo in Carbonite heavily guarded by Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers…plus BB8 too
Also I spotted C3PO manning their booth….
The back of the Marvel screen is a nice photo op area for con goers.
This group of people are obviously a Star Wars fan and they came from a Hawaiian theme party..
Think of a hot Boba Fett girl under the helmet.
Nightwing was seen riding his Night Uni-wheel transport
At the Hot Toys booth…. I drool on the glass display cases of their Hot Toys line up
The Kylo Ren Hot Toys is one of the most awaited figure ever…. for The Force Awakens line up
Here we saw an Obi Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca and Han Solo Hot Toys.
Years ago, Its funny that I pledge that I will collect Hot Toys if ever they have Star Wars
Now they are here….so now what???
Cosbaby series revealed their Frozen line up
And also the Inside Out characters
as usual…they are so cute
Ultron Prime Hot Toys is so scary…
it looks real..but
The most creepy is the figures who resembles a miniature version of real life actors from the Avengers movie.
They are sooo life like
Especially this Vision figure…who actually is Paul Bettany..
I wonder what was the reaction of Paul when he saw a figure version of himself
Hot Toys area with giant size of their Cosbaby figures.
I went to the artist alley and I spotted this custom made Batman statue
And here’s a prototype of their upcoming statue
Its Goku vs. Superman statue.
that’s so crazy!! haahhaha.
One of the artist at the artist alley offers free candy to convention goers.
Awesome guys!!! thanks
I also saw that some kids are watching some kind of video game tournament that happened and was recorded from other country.
Here I saw the meet and greet area for cosplay celebrities.
That foreign girl is Leanna Vamp
And I saw prop and costume maker Bill Doran meeting his fans
I think Bill showed the Star Trek hand sign --- live long and prosper
Here I arrive at the media lounge… they provided us with some tables, chairs, wifi, and also free coffee and Sky Flakes.
There’s a special room at the other side were they conduct the interviews and media meet up with the guest.
Blogger Florencio Jusay was there are the media room, he told me he was here for three days covering non stop.
My first interview of the day started with popular cosplayer and model Vampy Bit Me. She mentioned that everything she do for cosplay is work and she works really hard in making these costumes. She did a lot of many ways to fund her craft and the only way to get a better funding is to work really hard during conventions and also photo shoots.
JRyu is a sculptor and artist, his design can be seen here at http://j-ryu.com/#my-art
He mentioned that he is not a frequent user of social media and internet, because his time is being spent usually on sculpting and finishing some art projects, he pops up online whenever he needs to show his latest artwork. His artworks reminds me of a Tim Burton style art…
Spotted Kira having a selfie with Vampy Bit Me
Outside the media room, I spotted this custom made dragon.. a special companion to a Khaleesi cosplayer who stays inside the media room
At the Colton Haynes photo session…. Q starts here
This Infinity Gauntlet can grant your wishes…. (maybe if you saved a thousands pesos in coins)
Superman is here to save the day!!! He missed to save a Khaleesi who I think slips on the floor
or maybe on the floor for a photo shoot
Titans are bad guys….but this guy gave me a thumbs up…..
thanks…pls stop eating people
The white Mini Cooper I posted few days ago is now covered with doodles by Filipino and Singaporean doodler artist. The two cars with doodles will be displayed soon in a Mini Cooper showroom in BGC.
The doodle wall…exhibition area
Artist completed the wall after a day of non stop of doodling….wow!!!
Artist guy is finishing some last touches to his mash up of characters on a door of a Mini Cooper.
Youtube celebrities are also here….
fan girl meets Commander Holly
And here’s Comibookgirl19…
Im not familiar with these Youtubers, but I now have an interest to watch and follow them on Youtube.
Thanks Asia Pop Comicon for introducing them to us
Kids enjoying a game called Foosball.
and yeah…they are strapped on to that tube and they play football
At the other side….. there’s an ongoing LEGO creation contest for kids.
awww..these are so cute.
Spotted Isabel Santiago, our geekly girl and writer for Fun pages of Manila Bulletin
oh hello there!!! Ms Isabel… I asked her where’s her mom,, she just said that her mom is just here..roaming around.
At the media room… I spotted Eli Villagonzola enjoying the free wifi hahahaha
I took a rest and drank some hot coffee…. thank goodness theres an area for the media to take a break.
I super love this con.
At the media room..I saw a girl in pink dress…I thought I was dreaming and found myself in Adventure Time world.
Im so proud that Im the last guy to line up the signing with Simone Legno of Tokidoki
Also…I was upset that they’ve cut my line because they need Simone for a tv interview….
but it was okay.
Because I asked Isabel and her mom Edel to give my Kata M3 smartphone to Simone Legno for a sketch.
Im glad he accepts my request…
Isabel’s sketch request is a Hatsune Miku Tokidoki art style by Simone Legno
Awww that’s so cute…
The final meet up……
And here’s my Kata M3 smartphone with Captain America Tokidoki art….. When Simone saw me wearing a Marvel Tokidoki shirt, he then immediately replied…. “Of Course! Marvel Universe” and then he smiled…
aww….thanks so much Simone, you made me a fan boy again.. ahahahahha
So I went around to buy some toys….and here I was lucky to spot a Tomica truck with DIY design
OMG!!!! priced only at PHP199.
Me and my son are Tomica fans, and I bought it without any blink of an eye. I also learned that this toy will be sold only here at Asia Pop Comicon.
Wow!!!!
Toy Town booth also offers a special toy giveaway. If you buy a PHP399 and up toy from them, you will receive a paper bag full of toys that is worth PHP2000…. and they will give it for FREE
So I bought one Trexi Superman figure and I took home lots of toys with no hassle.
whewwwwwwww
I heard about our Bureau of Customs held up Simone Legno’s Tokidoki mechandise, the items arrived 2 days late…but Im glad that the items were almost sold out.
I actually miss these
And also this…. Manny Pacquiao x Tokidoki
I like the design, but I hope they have a shirt that is not colored black
At the iFlix booth.
Just observing the activity happening inside the area.
Me and Jake Sumbing did hang out a bit here…I also checked his portfolio and then told him that we make comics again..
I got in touch with Freddie Tan of formerly Neutral Grounds, I learned from him that he is now a game board and card game distributor, he now owns Ludus Distribution.
He introduces me this game called Yokai Watch card battle game, I super enjoyed the game tutorials, its like a Pokemon and Yugi Oh game, but its more simple and easy to understand.
Im going to introduce this game to my son and I will show him that board and card games are better than iPads.
In the corner of the hall….I spotted our cosplayer friend Izabel Cortez busy texting..
I took a ninja photo shot of her and I will let her see this..
ahhahahaha..Hi Izabel…sorry Im on ninja mode that evening…. (now I expects a big haha comment from her on Facebook)
As usual….Aliens creatures are always a star…..
But don’t forget about this Hulk….
Btw, my Hulk Buster Iron Man souvenir photo just arrived in my email inbox...thanks Comicave Studios
Ending my day with Asia Pop Comicon…….
Thanks to Florencio and two other media for the Q and A portions…next time…I will have my autograph signing outside the hall….basta may pang fishball…pwede na! hahahaha (its just a parody lang)
Over all, my convention experience at Asia Pop Comicon is in 100000+ levels, I super enjoyed it, because it made us be closer to the people who creates these awesome characters in any kind of medium, and Im happy with the response they give even if we are so worried about the outcome of the event, and now the Philippines is so ready for the comicon revolution, Im sure the next succeeding years, all cons will level up and also follow the quality and style of Asia Pop, its an event that blessed us that we are indeed ready to receive a lot of foreign guest visits.
Thanks for reading my coverage, Im not done yet…watch out for more Asia Pop related entries in the next coming days.
