ToyCon is Back Live in 2022

One of the most important experiences in my geek pop culture life has returned with a vengeance. After almost a two year hiatus due to COVID, ToyCon, one of the Philippines premier pop culture conventions, has returned in a live face-to-face venue last July 8-10 at the Mega Trade Hall in Mandaluyong. I’ve already attended a local comic book convention earlier this year. However, ToyCon has always been done in a much grander scale, and its return heralds pre-pandemic geek convention normalcy.

With Omi Remalante Who Colored This Cover

Of course, one of the biggest reasons I join conventions is to meet people of the tribe. Imagine YEARS of not interacting with like-minded people. Sharing your passions with them is a breath of fresh air to a weary geek soul. In my case, I got to catch up with artists that I know, and commissioned some great art from them. For one, I wanted to have this beautiful sketch of Nightwing and Starfire colored, and I had a chance to do so at ToyCon with one of our premier Filipino colorists, Omi Remalante. Thanks, bro. Hope to see you in the basketball courts soon.

With Kumu Artillery Artists Thirdportraits and Enjiepedia

I didn’t stop there with my art fix. I also passed by the Kumu Artillery booth where I asked two artist friends of mine to sketch me their renditions of some of my favorite anime ladies. Nowadays, who isn’t familiar with Yor Forger from ‘Spy Family’, and Marin Kitagawa from ‘My Dress-Up Darling’? For more seasoned anime fans, who isn’t familiar with Jamie Robinson from ‘Voltes V’, and Milia/Miriya from ‘Macross/Robotech’? Comics and Anime fixes done.

With the 501st Legion

Another experience I missed at pop culture conventions was the presence, and interacting with cosplayers. So, I had my fill of pictures of, and with several cosplayers who congregated at the convention. One such encounter was with the 501st Legion of Star Wars. If you got to visit ToyCon last weekend, I hope you gave these guys a visit. They also take donations for charity which is a good way of giving back to The Force.

With Poison Ivy Cosplayer

Here’s me with one Poison Ivy cosplayer who was hanging around the Toy Museum. Fortunately, I was able to visit the venue early to get this photo. When I visited the museum just a few hours later, it was jam-packed with people. And, Toycon was littered with a variety of cosplayers who you could see were just as excited to showcase their costumes in, and outside of the venue.

Voltes V: Legacy cast with director

There was also a stage area at Toycon for a set program for each of the three days. In my case, I only visited on the second day, July 9. I picked that day specifically because the Voltes V: Legacy cast was there with the director. They talked about updates about the Filipino adaptation; and showed new images of sets, and costumes first revealed at ToyCon. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to record nor take photos of the revealed images. However, it was revealed that Voltes V: Legacy is slated to be shown next year, 2023. As an anime, and HUGE Voltes V fan, I’m excited to watch this new iteration of one of the most beloved anime series in the Philippines.

Voltes V Display at the Toy Museum

As such, it wasn’t a surprise that there was a Voltes V display at the Toy Museum. Voltes V is one of the toys celebrated by ToyCon as can be seen from its promotional banner. So, once you are done watching the live interview with the Voltes V: Legacy cast, you can go to the toy museum to take a look at the many iterations of this iconic super robot.

Darna, Captain Barbell, and Lastikman

If Voltes V isn’t your cup of tea, there are other toy displays in the museum. You can feast your eyes on some of Philippine comic characters in toys. Darna, Captain Barbell, and Lastikman were well-represented at ToyCon.

Lego Star Wars Display

Or, maybe Lego displays are more your thing? There was a lot of that as well at the museum. There was this Star Wars Lego display with Yoda, Grogu, and R2D2 that I absolutely loved. It also helps that the helmet figures that were displayed with them added more to the Star Wars mystique.

Alexandra Trese, and the Twins

If larger toys are what you prefer, there were a lot of those around the event grounds as well. They range from one-sixth scale to life-sized toys. The Trese display caught my eye with its accuracy to the comics, and the animated series. I’m looking forward to new installments of both the comics, and the animation in the future. Fortunately, I already have myself an action figure of Alex in my collection already, and I didn’t have to hunt for one here at ToyCon.

Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu from Evangelion

These life-sized toys of Rei, and Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion are not just life-sized, they are also life-like. This is outstanding work from the designers of these figure. All they need is some animatronics, and you probably wouldn’t notice the difference between them and real people. Who would’ve thought that there were toys that are almost this human-like already?

Inigo Montoya, and Dread Pirate Roberts from Princess Bride

Naturally,this being ToyCon, I was tempted to get myself some toys. For the most part, I wasn’t able to find anything to add to my extensive collection. Until, from the corner of my eye, I spied two figures that I had been wanting to get since they came out. I passed on them the last time. This time, I got them, and they were sold at a discounted price. Welcome to my shelf Inigo Montoya, and Dread Pirate Roberts. Patience was indeed very virtuous for me in this case.

ToyCon Event Stage Backdrop

So, how would I rate my experience in ToyCon on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest? I’d give it an 8.5. There were logistical concerns that could have been done better which involve the venue, and lines. It’s as if the organizers didn’t predict enough the number of people that would flock the event. I mean, come on. We’re talking about one of the biggest pop culture events in the Philippines. It should not be surprising that people attend Toycon en masse.

Space Battleship Yamato with the Voltrons

In spite of a few shortcomings, ToyCon was an event worth attending. Being one of the first, and one of the largest pop culture conventions in the Philippines, ToyCon gave what was experienced during pre-pandemic times. If you want any other indication that convention season is back to full throttle in the Philippines, then ToyCon just adds more much desired fuel to the engine. I’m looking forward to more geek conventions. See around the cons, fellow geeks.

A Spoilerless Review on Trese: A Very Filipino Supernatural Series

‘Trese’ is a comic book series created by Filipino writer-creator Budjette Tan and illustrator-creator Kajo Baldisimo. The story focuses on main protagonist Alexandra Trese, the Lakan of Humanity, who is tasked in maintaining the delicate balance of the supernatural and natural world. Joining her are two supernatural entities named Basilio and Crispin. Together, these three characters protect the streets of Metro Manila against the supernatural threats that lie in the shadows, hiding sometimes in plain sight among the masses of humanity. This is the first Filipino comic book adapted by Netflix much to the delight of fans who have supported this Filipino comic book from 2005 up till now.

Firstly, I have three words to get off my chest: Tang ina WOW. Those were my initial thoughts when I started viewing this series when it premiered on Netflix. Alexandra Trese projects herself as a mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and John Constantine rolled into one. In fact, there are elements of both characters in her own character portfolio. The series presents Filipino supernatural mythology similar to how Neil Gaiman presents them in his novel American Gods. These comparisons with character and story references should give you an idea on the treatment of ‘Trese’ as it now appears on screen. Or course, an important aspect of the story is that it takes place within the confines of Metro Manila, Philippines. ‘Trese’ shows us that there are really monsters in the dark mixed with the monsters of humanity. But, I am getting ahead of myself.

In order to properly appreciate ‘Trese’ you have to watch it using English dubs. This might sound like sacrilege to my Filipino compatriots, but, just like all series, it is best watched using the orignal language that was used for the show. In this case, English is the original language,not Filipino, and the dubbing fits better with the English dubs. Though, the English dubs do retain Filipino words and phrases particularly in spellcasting and words that do not have any direct translation in English. This in itself gives enough local feel to the series to enhance the already Filipino setting of the story.

‘Trese’ shows us the existence of monsters in its Filipino landscape, and these monsters aren’t necessarily inhuman. The human antagonists in the series are revealed to be monsters themselves, and sometimes even more monstrous than their inhuman counterparts. As such, Metro Manila is presented as a place of fear and mistrust with Alexandra, Basilio and Crispin ensuring that there is enough security to make the city at the very least liveable. Indeed, how can you rest easy knowing that there are monsters lurking in every corner, and that they are not necessarily inhuman?

Aside from showing the supernatural and superstitious believes of the Philippines, ‘Trese’ presents some real life problems faced by Philippine society. From the simple problems like train stoppages and drag racing, to bigger ones that involve poverty, police brutality and corrupt politicians. These societal issues ground the series to make it very relatable in spite of its supernatural flavor. These aspects of Philippine culture make the series very relatable particularly to Filipinos who expereince these issues on a regular basis.

Additionally, ‘Trese’ focuses on two important themes: destiny and family. With destiny, Alexandra Trese is forced to follow her destiny, but decides to create her own. ‘Trese’ also focuses on how family is more important than blood which translates to having a family that is not necessarily dependent on blood relations. Both thematic elements help create the climax that leads to season one’s conclusion. In the end, Alexandra shows us that you are allowed to map out your own destiny, and your family will always be there to guide you in your journey. These two thematic elements along with its grounded setting allows ‘Trese’ to resonate with its viewers who need not be necessarily Filipino.

All in all, ‘Trese’ is a seires that most assuredly will elevate Alexandra and the rest of her mythology into pop culture royalty in the Philippines. if we’re lucky, it might carry over to other parts of the world.

Tabi tabi po. ‘Trese’ is now streaming on Netflix.