ToyCon PHL celebrates 16th year with star-studded lineup

Toy collectors, pop culture fanatics, cosplayers, gamers, and geeks gathered once more over the weekend to celebrate the 16th incarnation of ToyCon Philippines at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City from June 30 to July 2, 2017.

ToyCon teamed up again with PopLife this year to present ToyCon PopLife FanXperience 2017. Despite a significantly higher entrance fee than in previous years, the event still attracted a large crowd—perhaps largely due to the events and special guests lined up onstage.

Various stages and exhibits were set up to cater to the different aspects of the event. Exhibits from Marvel, Disney, Hobbiestock, Kotobukiya, Hobby Korner, Gaming Library, Kewpie, and Sideshow Collectibles showcased the latest toys, figures, and games of their respective groups and companies. Musical performances graced the different ToyCon stages, from international performers such as Nana Yamada and Yanakiku, to local talents like Kaye Cal and Verbacoma.

International guests

This year’s international guests included “Suicide Squad” actress Karen Fukuhara (Katana), “Deadpool” actor Stephen Kapcic (Colossus), “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers” actress Carla Perez (Rita Repulsa), “Teen Titans Go!” voice actor Greg Cipes (Beast Boy), “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor Kevin McNally (Joshamee Gibbs), and “Assasin’s Creed: Revelations” video game voice actor Cas Anvar.

Local brands and artists were an attraction at the event as well, including the launch of an upcoming toy line based on the beloved characters of local komiks novelist Mars Ravelo. An artist gallery also featured the works of the Ravelo and local comic book legends Steve Gan and Alfredo Alcala Sr., while booths for Filipino artists also displayed local talent through their prints and sketches.

ToyCon 2017 was also the setting for two cosplay competitions. The ToyCon cosplay contest saw incredible artistry and performances for cosplays from video games, mecha franchises, anime, and comics. The Philippine leg of the World Cosplay Summit also took place, with Team SOS from Zamboanga bagging the championship with their cosplay featuring characters from the video game series “Dynasty Warriors”. They are set to represent the country at the World Cosplay Summit 2017 finals to be held in Nagoya this year. —  Photos by KC Cruz/TJD, GMA News