Well-known event organizer Cosplay.ph is backing out their participation on the Philippine Cosplay Convention (PCC), starting this year, after a long association with the lead organizer Hobbiworx.
According to the official statement posted over their website that was released Friday, Cosplay.ph detailed several factors on why they are backing out from the summer event that serves as their first event of the year.
The restrictions include a ban for selling from sponsors and exhibitors, restrictions on cosplayers & performers and a possible clash “with another major, annual convention.”
“As a result of these factors, we at Cosplay.ph feel that we can no longer provide the quality event that you have come to expect from us, and have therefore decided to withdraw our participation from the event.” The statement said.
They also said that they are wishing the organization the best “as our 7-year long partnership has resulted in some truly amazing events that will be fondly remembered.”
Cosplay.ph also announced their events for 2015, which includes the second staging of NexCon, to be held on May 16-17 at the SMX Convention Center – Taguig, The Cosplay Mania Roadshow which will hold the different legs of the Cosplay Tournament of Champions (TorCh), and Cosplay Mania ’15 which will be held on October 03 to 04 at the SMX Convention Center – Manila.
In a separate statement, Hobbiworx, through cosplayer Joel “Jojo” Delos Santos, said that the event will still push through on the “same venue” with the “same policy”, further adding that the yearly Cosplay Costume of the Year Awards (CCY) will not be held anymore in the PCC and instead, will be held in a different event.
“The 8th Philippine Cosplay Competition will push through this year… The only difference is that Cosplay.ph have decided to opt out of it and so, Hobbiworx will handle the event solely… Cosplay competition will still be and always will be part of PCC” Hobbiworx said in the statement.
The 8th Philippine Cosplay Convention is slated to bow on April 12, 2015 and is expected again to be held at the Atrium of the Midtown, Robinson’s Place Manila, where the event has been held since 2008.
Another Hobbiworx event, The 9th Hobbiworx TAGCOM Convention, is scheduled on March 21-22 at the SM Megamall – Megatrade Hall 3.
