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AsiaPOP ComiCon Manila: A weekend of absolute geekdom
A convention full of all kinds of hobbies and cosplays is one thing. But add famous Hollywood personalities, popular comic artists, local celebrities, and lots of attractions and you’ve got one of the most sensational events to happen: AsiaPop ComiCon Manila!
Gathering together some of the best and brightest talents you can find on this planet and beyond, APCC Manila delivered on its promise to return after a successful 2015 launch that featured the likes of Paul Bettany (The Vision from “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Captain America: Civil War”) visiting Philippine shores. They promised that the second time would only get better with more in store for fans and patrons—and they delivered in spades.
Attending all three days, this writer concentrated on embracing the APCC Manila experience with an earnest and positive outlook. My mind and body were ready for something “bigger and better” than last year's inaugural con. For one thing, AsiaPop ComiCon Manila 2016 booked the entire SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, with all the function rooms on the first and second floors dedicated to several activites and events. The main area for APCC was on the ground floor, housing all of the booths, the artist gallery, the meet and greet assemblies, and a ring dedicated to the performers and wrestlers of the Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR) local promotion.
The entire weekend of APCC was a progressive wave of fun and excitement that gradually drew in crowds as the weekend ran its course. Friday was mostly “chill day” where early attendees had the chance to bask in the sights and do a little shopping if they could afford it. Early birds also had the chance to meet guest comic artists like Ken Lashley, Whilce Portacio, and the legendary Mike Zeck, as well as international cosplay celebrities Ani-Mia and Riddle, who were also on hand to judge that weekend’s CAGE cosplay competition.
The PWR also held full-day shows for wrestling fans looking to see some local talent perform some high risk maneuvers and finishers, so the first day definitely had its share of treats and patrons who were there to enjoy, cosplay, and entertain themselves with the sights and sounds of the convention floor.
Day 2 and 3 were when things officially kicked off in high gear, as featured Hollywood celebrities came in for their meet and greet sessions with the press and fans. Nicholas Hoult (the X-Men movies, "Mad Max: Fury Road"), Millie Bobby Brown ("Stranger Things"), Claire Holt ("The Vampire Diaries"), and Joe Dempsie ("Game of Thrones" were on hand to give their fans the time of their lives—signing autographs, taking photos with them, and even having a conversation on stage with the fans. Marvel fans also got the time of their lives as the House of Ideas joined in to present “Hall M,” a Marvel showcase in APCC that saw Marvel editor C.B. Cebulski bringing exclusive footage and trailers to the show floor!
Several cosplayers were also on hand to compete in the APCC Cosplay Authority Global Challenge (CAGE) Cosplay competition, with local cosplay celebrities Alodia Gosiengfiao and Myrtle Sarossa and international cosplay talents Riddle, Ani-Mia, Lindze Merritt, and Yugana Senshi Uon serving as judges.
With two days of fantastic entries and contestants showing their impressive skills in creating wonderful costumes, Princess Joviel Espos won the kids category, while Fred Vinas of Team Cyback Metafusion Prop Shop emerged as the Grand Champion in the adult category for his cosplay of Boush The Tinker from DOTA 2!
Several popular video games were also represented and had fans competing for exclusive prizes, as the Esports Festival 2016 brought games like League of Legends, DOTA 2, Overwatch, and Street Fighter V to the plate. I was on hand to compete and play in the Street Fighter V tournament on Sunday hosted by Playbook Video Game Lounge + Bookshop, and while I didn’t make it to the finals, it was a pool of excellent fighting game players who gave their best and proved that they were deserving of being called fighters.
Ultimately, Yoshi1995 emerged triumphant against SuperJamse in a match that can be called “one for the books”!
So in addition to meeting artists like Mike Zeck, playing Street Fighter V in the ESports Festival 2016, and cosplaying three different versions of The Dark Knight hero Batman for three days, I truly enjoyed AsiaPop Comic Con 2016.
It’s another evolutionary step in bringing together the popular culture scene from both Eastern and Western fandoms, and I can certainly say firs hand that everyone had a grand and unique time. I can only look forward to next year’s installment and the surprises it will bring! — BM, GMA News
