#ToyconPH2014 Breaking records and Boundaries

One weekend every June we put on our geek caps and head on over to the "Geek Exodus" that is Toycon. 

This is our third year going and I still think that it is a PHENOMENON beyond logic and explanation but sometimes logic just goes out the window and all you have to do is celebrate that inner child in all of us. 

The thing about Toycon is that everyone gets to celebrate that inner child in them and because of that the Megatrade Halls 1, 2 and 3 becomes the biggest play room - ever! 

Posts on Facebook were about tickets running out (but they get re-stocked don't worry) Toycon 2014 has also officially broken records with 27,975 attendees! 

A lot of posts from attendees have said that this year's Toycon had the most attendees and that halls were packed (more than usual) I guess that would be the case, since I wasn't really able to go around and look at all the stalls even if I stayed for about six hours. 

And why have I not been able to check out all the stalls, well there are two reasons, the first being the obvious that there were too many people and the second was that well we were helping my cousins at the SuperElite props booth. So I got to experience what it was like to sit behind the booth, while onlookers stopped by to check the Star Wars movie props that were on display, but before I go on with my experience behind a booth at Toycon let me just rewind a bit to the start of the day. 

Well, like many of our adventures it actually began with work - Yes! Work! I yet again came from work and basically went straight to Toycon with sleepiness and tiredness ready to kick in any minute, I actually got to share this burden with my sister who is now working (fresh graduate) who tags along with us during conventions. 

By the early afternoon we were both sleepy zombies and couldn't even carry out a decent conversation anymore. A quick rush to Starbucks for some much needed caffeine quickly fixed that though and we were able to pull in an extra few hours of awake time. 

When we arrived for Day 2 of Toycon, we were just in time for the ribbon cutting ceremony which had special guests Batman (who is celebrating his 75th year by the way), some Disney characters and Rurouni Kenshin characters and of course the 501st Philippine Outpost were present as well. 

With the ribbon cut, photos taken (much like a frenzied Press Conference actually) Toycon 2014 Day 2 was officially open. 

We immediately went over the SuperElite Props booth both to help my cousin set up and catch our wits. The rest of the day was then either hanging out and helping at the booth or going around the convention. 

It really was different being behind the booth for a change, although I had some experience to back me up, during High School my friends and I actually got booths (we did it for years) during our school fair and we would sell - yup, you guessed it Anime merchandise :) So I guess it wasn't entirely a new experience for me. 

What was new and refreshing was seeing the faces of the people who came by our booth light up when they saw, held, took a photo with the movie props (Lightsaber, Blaster and the Stromtrooper armor) from Star Wars. It was touching to see how the Dads would proudly point out the movie mementos to their children and in some way they seemed like kids as well. It was also amusing to see their wives steer them away from the booth, afraid of what a few more minutes ogling at the props could lead to. 

What's In Store for You at: Toycon 2014

While most kids get excited because of the start of school in June; the kids at heart (no matter what height, shape or size) get excited once the month of June appears in all our calendars and that's because of Toycon! 

The annual Toy Convention has become a haven for geeks and different enthusiasts alike. And now on it's 13th year - The Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention or better known as TOYCON will once more be the place to be for frenzied fans or even the casual onlooker. Needless to say, whichever you are - you will definitely have fun as there is so much to see and so much to do during Toycon! 

Paul and I have been going to Toycon for the past two years - you can check out the blog posts for 2012 here and 2013. 

Toycon is recognized as Asia's biggest and longest running convention for collectibles, toys, anime, comics, cosplay, gaming and anything and everything related to hobbies and collections. -- Simply put it is the biggest pop culture event in the country. 

While most would expect to see the amazing toys on display and the jaw dropping cosplayers strut their stuff. There are certain highlight each year for Toycon and this year, they will highlight the 75th Anniversary of none other than DC's caped crusader - Batman! There will be a huge Batman display area, as well as a life sized Batpod, a kid's activity area as well as exciting new Batman Merchandise as well as a gallery of art and collectibles of the Dark Knight Detective. Puts a whole perspective to that vernacular saying 'Bahala na si Batman!' eh?  

And since everyone is all a buzz with the Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Sequels, there will be a display of original costumes that were used in the movie! 

Another feature for Toycon 2014 will be Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - there will be awesome displays, sneak peeks at the movie's trailers as well as behind-the-scenes features. There will also be fun fan activities as well as a Marvel roster of superstar artists such as Leinil Yu, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Roy Allan Martinez and Kim Jacinto. 

Paul and I always look forward to the toy exhibits during Toycon and for this year there will be displays from the following prominent toy exhibits: 

The G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary exhibit, Philippine Lego Users Group exhibit, the Coca-Cola Collectors exhibit, One Sixth Republic and Pinoy Sixth Scale collectors exhibit and of course the awesome Toycon gallery exhibit area which showcases the best and local toy group community. 

If you have been following us you would know that Star Wars has a special place in my heart, especially since I have cousins who are part of the 501st Philippine Outpost. (You can read all about my interview with a Storm Trooper here.) Well they will be present during Toycon as they also celebrate their 10th year Anniversary. There will be a parade of those timeless Star Wars characters: Stormtroopers, Jedi Knights, droids, and of course, the Dark Lord of the Sith himself - Darth Vader! 

I also suggest that you guys check out SuperElite Props booth at Toycon! 

They produce locally made movie props (with the best materials and is made to be as close to the original as possible) so you can actually own your very own Storm Trooper Helmet, ROTJ Lightsaber, TK-E11 Blaster! :)