AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2015

"You don’t fall in love like you fall in a hole. You fall like falling through space. It’s like you jump off your own private planet to visit someone else’s planet. And when you get there it all looks different: the flowers, the animals, the colours people wear. It is a big surprise falling in love because you thought you had everything just right on your own planet, and that was true, in a way, but then somebody signaled to you across space and the only way you could visit was to take a giant jump. Away you go, falling into someone else’s orbit and after a while you might decide to pull your two planets together and call it home. And you can bring your dog. Or your cat. Your goldfish, hamster, collection of stones, all your odd socks. (The ones you lost, including the holes, are on the new planet you found.) 

And you can bring your friends to visit. And read your favourite stories to each other. And the falling was really the big jump that you had to make to be with someone you don’t want to be without. That’s it. 

PS: You have to be brave."  

- Jeanette Winterson
(lifted from here)

And that is the story of how I experienced ToyCon for the first time this year, and why I'm looking forward to the AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2015 (APCC Manila) happening from September 17 to 20 at the World Trade Center!

I love everything pop culture (I get a kick out of pop culture references in books and movies) and  I can go on total fangirl mode; since APCC Manila is gearing up to bring together the very best in movies, television, entertainment, comics, toys, collectibles, gaming, and cosplay, then I say COUNT ME IN!

Pop culture fans are promised a content-rich experience across the spectrum of toys and collectibles, comics, games, cosplay and animation including appearances by film and television celebrities, entertainment performances, exclusive screenings, panel sessions, product launches, competitions and fun activities that can be enjoyed not just by geeks and hardcore fans but also by the entire family.

Headlining the show is Hollywood star Jason Momoa, the famous Khal Drogo from the critically-acclaimed and Emmy-nominated first season of the HBO series Game of Thrones, who will also star in the much anticipated DC Comics films Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League,

Adding to the entertainment lineup of celebrities are Jeremy Shada, the teen heartthrob and talent behind the voice of Finn on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, and his band Makeout Monday; Whilce Portacio, Filipino veteran comic book artist behind numerous iconic Marvel characters including Bishop, Malcolm, and Randall; and mixed media artist Amanda Spayd and sculptor/ painter Chris Ryniak. More celebrities and pop culture personalities that will join the festivities will be revealed soon. Exclusive screenings, panel sessions, product launches, competitions, and more activities will also be announced. Meanwhile, news from the grapevine suggest that not only will it be the ultimate fan experiential event; it will also provide a platform for industry professionals on the first day of the show.  Budding artists and talents in the creative industry, get your portfolio ready!

Additionally, APCC Manila is proud to partner with the Cosplay Authority Global Challenge (The CAGE) for the world’s biggest and first-of-its-kind cosplay competition. The CAGE aims to promote the spirit and craftsmanship of cosplay through costume and prop-making workshops as well as provide a platform for cosplay enthusiasts and fans to compete on an international level. The grand champion of the Open category will be determined by an impressive panel of expert judges including international prop and costume maker Bill Doran, cosplay superstar Alodia Gosiengfiao, Philippines’ own cosplay photographer extraordinaire Jay Tablante, traveling artist and global cosplay phenomenon VampyBit Me, and actress/model Allison Harvard of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 12 and America’s Next Top Model: All Stars. And, get this: the winner will receive a record-breaking payout of up to USD$10,000! Awesome, yes?

Participants will also experience an all-star entertainment treat with actress/model/host LeeAnna Vamp, or the "Ghoul Of Your Dreams,” joining the roster of cosplay stars who will definitely spice up the event. Vamp is the host of “I Love Nerd Girls” and “Fiends Forever.” Then there’s more for the cosplay aficionados with the special appearances of internationally-acclaimed cosplayers Monika Lee and Riki ‘Riddle’ Lecotey. The two are well-loved “characters” in the costume and anime-loving world, both of whom starred in SyFy channel, Heroes of Cosplay. To join, visit their official website and like them on Facebook. You may also follow them on Twitter.

APCC Manila tickets will be going for PhP500 (one-day pass), PhP800 (two-day pass), and PhP 1,000 (three-day pass).  Visit their official website, official Facebook Page, and Twitter account to get information on how to get your tickets as well as to check updates and announcements. See you there!

ABOUT ASIAPOP COMICON
AsiaPOP Comicon(APCC) will be an international pop culture convention themed around comics, film, toys and collectibles, animation, games, cosplay, superheroes and everything pop culture. The event will attract several internationally renowned artists, celebrities and pop-culture icons to various pockets of Asia, starting with Manila in the Philippines, and draw the attention of ardent fans. APCC will feature exhibitors from genres of pop culture and top studios from the across the globe, to bring popular brands and exclusive content for the show.

Focusing on delivering the ultimate fan experience, APCC aspires to bring geek culture mainstream and stand tall as a perfect launch pad to unveil new products and first look of movies for the Asia Pacific region providing a galore of potential opportunities for SMEs in the entertainment business to reach out to big brands and the vibrant creative talent pool from APAC. While the event will serve as a mega licensing avenue for studios to establish a direct access to potential clients through B2B networking, the larger purpose of the event will remain the outreach and communication for celebrities and brands with their fans and engage with them on a one-on-one basis.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Universal Events & Entertainment (UEE), a subsidiary of Al Ahli Holding Group is a premier and dynamic international events management company, headquartered in Singapore committed to be the forefront of pop culture/comic con events globally. The passionate and dedicated team combined has over 4 decades of event management experience in the area of pop culture.

Universal Events & Entertainment prides itself in bringing world class celebrations of pop culture globally that delivers the ultimate fan experience whilst assisting brands to tap into the pulse of pop culture. We aim to build and engage communities and fans at our comic cons worldwide. UEE will kick off a series of comic cons events globally in Manila, Abu Dhabi, Korea and USA in the near future.