For the last time, SM Megamall plays host to the Biggest Pop-culture Extravaganza.
This is first ever installment of THE PRE-SHOW, where we will be doing our Pre-event Analysis and all the things that you will expect before an event. Again, all information that we will explain to you may change as the event progresses or, in other words, “subject to change without prior notice”.
Yes, you have heard the news, TOYCON is definitely moving, according to Cholo Mallillin, one of the top guys of organizer Collectibles Unlimited. So this can only mean one thing. The jampacked crowds of TOYCON at the SM Megamall is going to be a thing of the past.
But let us not forget how SM Megamall, particularly the Megatrade Halls, became a fitting trademark and a witness from its humble beginnings to become what could be Southeast Asia’s biggest and longest-running pop-culture event.
First held at the much smaller Function Rooms, then moved in to the main Megatrade Halls, taking one hall at a time until they took over all three halls. TOYCON always symbolizes the small beginnings it had as an toy-exchange event, into becoming the biggest event where an amalgam of cultures, whether Toys, Hobbies, Anime, Cosplay, Collectibles, Movies, or just about everything, meet.
And this year’s TOYCON is no exception.
Poised to be the biggest TOYCON this year, All roads will definitely lead to the SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls this coming June 20 and 22 for Pop-culture’s biggest weekend. And whether you are a first timer, or a regular event-goer for the past 5, 10 or even 13 years, There will be something in store for you.
The Biggest Toy and Collectible Market Ever
With at least 200 exhibitors encompassing both Megatrade Halls 1 and 2. This year will be TOYCON’s biggest when it comes to the merchandising of every fandom item available. Toys, Figures, Collectibles, Magazines, Boutique items, Cosplay paraphernalia, You name it, TOYCON’s got it.
Since the start of TOYCON, It was always been held for two days, Saturday and Sunday. With the influx of visitors coming in to attend the event, it seemed that the retailers were given a second thought, so in 2012, Collectibles Unlimited extended TOYCON to Friday, giving the retailers the whole day to sell their stuff. This has been called as “Retailer’s Day”, where the retailers are the stars.
But it does not mean that their stuff will be available only on that day only! You can still buy these items and do your market haggling in order for you to get that very rare toy or collectible.
Also, certain exhibitors will be offering special Sales and discounts, and even promos that will be only valid on TOYCON weekend. Let’s count some of them here.
Big Boys Toy Store will be selling some Itchyworms merchandise, plus some exclusive items like this exclusive Thundercat figure which will be only available at TOYCON.
Powerplay Wear will be selling different Game-themed tees, and a Very limited edition Mastersword replica from the game The Legend of Zelda, Of course, they are saying to better prepare your “rupees” (money) if you want to get your hands on them!
Arigatoys Collectibles will be having a TOYCON promotion in which for every item worth PhP2000, You can get a FREE Revoltech figure of an equal value or lower. They will be also having a TOYCON Photo contest where you can take pictures of the toys found on their booth!
That is only some of the promos that will happen on TOYCON, Of course, every booth has their own promotional item so you should check them out on this weekend for more offers and surprises.
Day One to Day Three: Jampacked Events
Of course, The heart and soul of TOYCON not only belongs to the exhibitors and retailers, but also to the programs and activities that will happen starting on the first day of the Pop-culture extravaganza.
On the First day, Friday, June 20, Itchyworms, Mocha Girls and a host of anime cover bands like Asterysk*, Ikuzo Iwa, Surface InTension and DJ SkyJon will rock Megatrade Hall 3 for the first ever “Toycon Play Night”. It will be a party to celebrate another year of Toycon. From 05:00pm until 10:00pm, be in your groovy self and enjoy the party!
Second Day is where the “real” event starts. Gates will open at 10:00am and an hour later, an official ribbon cutting ceremony will be led by ABS-CBN Stars, Disney Cosplay Group and the Star Wars 501st Legion Philippines.
Then from 11:00 am to 4:00pm, a host of activities will be on-stage, like panel talks, sponsor games segments, and band performances by Dreamsicle, Evening Tea Time and Sanctus.
Also, UNO Magazine will hold its meet and greet with its latest cover girl, Ryza Cenon, plus the first day of Noted Filipina cosplay Alodia Gosiengfiao’s performance and Meet and Greet. Also, the Asia Cosplay Meet Philippines Team, fresh from their victory in the Asia Cosplay Meet in Singapore last month, will also make an appearance as well.
Flipgeeks will also do a meet-and-greet with Marvel’s Filipino artists led by Leinil Yu, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Ed Tadeo, Mico Suayan, Kim Jacinto and Roy Allan Martinez
Then, the Toycon Cosplay Universe Solo Cosplay competitions will start at 04:00pm. Of course, the length of the cosplay competition will be based on how many cosplayers will register whether via Online or Walk-in registration.
Additional segments and bands like Verbacoma and Asterysk complete Saturday’s events .
ABS-CBN relaunches Team Animazing; World Cosplay Summit National Finals to be held at TOYCON
Of course, if Saturday’s events were already big, wait till you see how Sunday’s events will fare.
Bands like Jeepney Joyride, and People of the East make up the music for the first half of the program, plus there will be a meet-and-greet with an another covergirl for UNO Magazine, the former Pinoy Big Brother Housemate, Roxanne Barcelo.
At 02:30pm, ABS-CBN will use the event as the springboard for the launch of the new seasons of their two top anime series, Kuroko’s Basketball – Season 2 and Naruto Shippuuden – Season 6. Both will air under the Team Animazing block starting on June 30 and, as an Anime Pilipinas source tells us, there will be a lot of surprises and mini-games in store for those who will be on the stage.
After the Team Animazing launch, another ABS-CBN-related event, but this time, from their cable channel Cinema One.
The Cinema One Original movie about an OFW who became a tokusatsu suit actor in Japan, Blue Bustamante, will be having their meet and greet at TOYCON as well.
Do expect the cast led by Joem Bascon to grace the TOYCON stage and meet and greet their fans.
Batman will also celebrate their 75th anniversary at TOYCON as the whole Justice PH Cosplay Team will be in full force to celebrate the Caped Crusader’s diamond anniversary since coming out in Action Comics in 1939.
Then at 04:00pm, the main event of the day. The World Cosplay Summit Philippines Finals, where the top teams from Manila and Davao will compete and vie for the privilege to represent the country as an Observer in the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya this coming August.
The group cosplay and J-fashion contest will also happen right after the Finals.
As the day draws into a close, Performances from bands like Midnight Meetings and Shinkan cap off the day, alongside the announcements of the winners of all the contests from Saturday until Sunday.
Plus, a grand raffle and a Special announcement regarding TOYCON 2015 will cap off the 13th installment of this pop-culture extravaganza.
Galleries, Other Activities, Cost of Tickets
Other TOYCON activities include galleries from noted comic-book illustrators like Alfredo Alcala. Plus, a 3-D Batmobile exhibition will be also seen during the event.
Plus, the original costumes worn by the actors of the Upcoming Rurouni Kenshin sequels, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends will be on display at TOYCON courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines, the Film’s distributor.
There will also be other activities like the Customization contests, Photo contests and Art Contests.
The price of the tickets of this full weekend geekfest is pegged at PhP130 per day, and is available on all SM Tickets outlets at all SM Cinemas nationwide. You can also call 470-2222 or visit SM Ticket’s website to reserve.
Of course, the SM Megamall is an accessible mall located in the boundaries of Mandaluyong, Pasig and Quezon City.
It can be reached via the MRT Ortigas Avenue or MRT Shaw Boulevard Stations, you can also ride a bus going to Baclaran or Ayala if you’re from the Northbound area or the Novaliches and Monumento-bound buses if you’re from the Southbound area.
If you’re from the Manila area, particularly from Quiapo and Recto areas, you can wait for an UV Express vehicle going to SM Megamall which only costs PHP 20-35, depending on your location.
The Biggest TOYCON Ever
Lastly, Anime Pilipinas will be there to be your eyes and ears to the biggest pop-culture event in the country. Do stay tuned on our official Social media channels like on Facebook, Twitter (@AnimePilipinas and @AniPinasLIVE), Instagram, and other social networking accounts for the latest updates, photos, videos and voice reports from the biggest pop-culture event in the country.
And, better prepare yourselves, because This TOYCON will surely be a historic one, as it could possibly be it’s last hurrah at the Mega.
For more information about TOYCON 2014, Please visit their official website at toyconph.com, as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages. Anime Pilipinas is not liable for any changes in the event schedule that may arise without the notice of the organizer involved.
