The biggest pop culture event in Asia had landed in Manila and was going strong on its second straight day as AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016 welcomed thousands of attendees from all over the world. Spanning the entire SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex, the scale that APCC 2016 was on was mindblowing, and on its second straight year it had an impressive lineup of guests and unique attractions from around the world for attendees to enjoy, bringing the latest and hottest trends, activities, and attractions pop culture had to offer. For a glimpse of an exciting Day 1, click here.
arkadymac.com is glad to be APCC’s online media partner for the second straight year, and we had our writer Rin, photographers Mitch and Jillian, and correspondents Nicole and Nicolette bringing in the action from this huge pop culture extravaganza.
Filipinos have always been been big fans of pop culture, being forever in love with movies, comics, cartoons, music, books, TV, and other media, which was most probably why they eagerly lined up to get inside the event even before the SMX’s doors opened, anticipating all the excitement that AsiaPop had promised waiting for them.
On the entire ground floor of the SMX convention center, a bewildering array of booths and exhibits were there to amuse, entertain and amaze the attendees. People could browse through amazing toys and figure displays and collections, take part in makeup demos, watch wrestling matches, play human-sized foosball, try the Magic:The Gathering card game, have pictures with Pokemon themed vehicles, experience parkour, and participate in the little mini games each exhibitor booth had to offer. They got to go home with nice freebies and giveaways from those too.
Artists from around the globe also graced APCC. They had their own booths so they could display their work to their fans, and the artists were happy to tell us that it was a great experience meeting their Filipino fans as they appreciate their work so much and go to talk to them as they did autographs as well. Simone Legno of Tokidoki was there to display his one-of-a-kind line of items. People lined up to have him sign his merchandise or to get an on-the-spot drawing of his. Shinichiro Kitai and the rest of artist group DEVILROBOTS were just as thrilled to meet fans and enthusiasts as they displayed their work for fans and fellow artists. Comic book veterans Whilce Portacio, Ken Lashley, and Mike Zeck, also got to receive their fans at their respective booths, having great conversations with them as they sampled their unique art form. They even held workshops to help aspiring artists improve their art style.
Makeup artist Say Tioco did a workshop for makeup. She showed her attendees how she does her make up and also entertained any questions they may have.
APCC 2016 also brought world renowned cosplayers from here and abroad to bring even more color to the event. Our very own Alodia Gosiengfao and Myrtle Sarossa and international cosplayers Yugana Senshi Uon, Riddle, Ani Mia, Lindze Merrit had their own booths where they could display their prints and meet up with their fans.
Prominent cosplayer Jin Josen was also there at her booth, and we did not hesitate getting one of the many fine prints she had with her cosplaying as Howl of Howl’s Moving Castle.
APCC 2016 had been the talk of the town as they delivered on their promise to bring big Hollywood stars to Manila. Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Days of Future’s Past), Claire Holt (Vampire Diaries), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), and Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) were the big names that had their Filipino fans scrambling all over to get the chance to meet them in person. Attendees got to see them at their Meet and Greet and Autograph Sessions as well as on stage. The media also got the chance to conduct interviews with them, and we got to know more about these fascinating people. We will have video clips of the interviews ready on the site very soon.
One of the highlights of AsiaPop Comicon Manila was The Cosplay Authority Global Challenge, or The CAGE, which had become the most epic cosplay competition the Philippines has ever seen, boasting of the biggest prizes only dreamed of in the cosplay scene . Participants had to go through a rigorous process just so the best of the best could compete. Their costumes were painstakingly crafted and intricately detailed, with parts that would seem as if they moved on their own. The performances they put on certainly gave justice to their characters and made for a great show in front of an appreciative audience.
Even world-class cosplayers and judges Alodia Gosiengfao, Yugana Senshi Uon, Riddle, Ani Mia, Lindze Merrit, and Myrtle Sarossa had a hard time determining who was the best of the best, and in our interview with them they were amazed at the amazing talent of the Filipino cosplayers and crafters. Then came time for a big group photo on stage and everyone was told that the winners were to be announced the next day.
Ending the day on literally high notes was anisong legend Hiroshi Kitadani, who wowed the crowed with his vocal prowess, singing fan favorite songs, especially from the series One Piece. Fans were singing along and waving and pumping their fists to the performance of this amazing artist from Japan.
Cosplayers were there in droves from the start till the end of the day and we were there to take some shots of them of course. Cosplayers were having a blast at APCC with all the attractions it had to offer. Some of them were even hired by the exhibitors to help promote their products. Others enjoyed the event with friends and had fun and photos with the crowd and with each other, among them was our Writer Rin cosplaying Alisa Bosconovitch of Tekken and our Cosplay Model Nicole as a Winter Soldier genderbend.
APCC was certainly an event that everyone enjoyed. People walked home with tons of pop culture merchandise and pictures with their favorite actors, actresses, artists, and cosplayers. But there was more still in store for everyone as Day 3 was just hours away. Watch out for our coverage of the last day of AsiaPop Comicon Manila 2016 very soon.
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