ToyCon PH, Asia’s biggest and longest-running convention for toy creators and enthusiasts, hobbyists, and collectibles hunters, marked its 17th edition with the spotlight on Pinoy talents.
GoodNewsPilipinas.com monitored the convention happenings and came up with this list of Filipino pride highlights featured at ToyCon PH 2018:
1. Filipino-American personalities as special guests
In partnership with PopLifeFanX, TOYCON PH 2018 was graced by well-known Filipino-American actors in Hollywood such as Dante Basco who played Peter Pan’s sidekick, Rufio, in the 1991 movie, ‘Hook’. Basco has also done several voice-acting stints, famously voicing the character of Prince Zuko in the animated series, ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ and Jake Long in the ‘American Dragon: Jake Long’. Basco was the first Filipino-American actor to make it to the Hollywood.
Joining Basco was Michael Copon, whose father’s family is from Cavite, essayed the role of Blue Ranger in last year’s ‘Power Rangers: Time Force’ movie.
2. Live performances from Word-class Pinoy performers
Live performances from international Filipino artist, Apl.De.Ap. of ‘Black Eyed Peas’ roused the crowd.
Apl.De.Ap. went on stage to join the performance of his mentee, The Voice of the Philippines 3rd placer, Janice Javier.
The Pinoy artists took the stage also to raise awareness and generate donations for Apl.De.Ap.’s charity foundation.
3. Exhibits from Top Global Pinoy Toy designers, multi-media visual and Comic artists
A special exhibit from multi-media visual artist Toym De Leon Imao also one of the highlights of the event, with some of his selected sculptures such as the “Super Robot-Suffer Reboot” making a ToyCon PH appearance off his ongoing exhibit at the Bulwagan ng Dangal, UP Diliman.
Imao is a sculptor, painter and has worked in various film and theater productions. His artworks symbolize his deep astonishment for 70’s super robots during his childhood years as well as his creative protest when anime was banned in the year 1979.
International toy designers and comic artists were also present in the event to showcase their works and, meet their fans and give inspiration among the young creators. Some of them are global toy Filipino designers such as Quiccs, Christopher Magnaye, and Wetworks (based in Singapore).
Comic artists such as Carlo Pagulayan, Harvey Tolibao, Heubert Khan Michael, John Michael Carreon, Leinil Yu, Michael Suayan, Rian Gonzales, Stephen George Segovia, Edgar Tadeo, Jason Paz and Michael Mercado also graced the convention.
Life-sized sculptures of iconic Pinoy superheroes such as Darna, Captain Barbell, and Lastikman also seized attention of the event-goers.
4. ToyCon Contest showcasing Pinoy Creativity
ToyCon PH hosted its first ever design contest, “Sikat kay Toy!” which showcased Filipino designers’ original toy designs. The winner of the competition was rewarded with a Php 30,000 cash, together with a prototype of his/her toy designs, and royalty benefits from the earning of their designs.
Young creators were also invited to exhibit their creativity through various contests such, action figure contest, doll dress up, toy diorama, cosplay and many more.
Pol Medina Jr., the creator of the sometimes irreverent, sometimes satirical, but always insightful comic strip depicting life in Manila – Pugad Baboy – was honored as recipient of the Pinoy Pop Culture Icon Award for making an impact on Pinoy Pop Culture scene.
ToyCon PH 2018 truly exemplified the fun-loving Pinoy spirit!
