Our TOYCON Experience

Besides doing comics, we (Ryan, Dondon, and I) also love toys. Both Ryan and Don collect Gundam model kits while I have small collection of superhero action figures. Ryan also has a fondness for collectible animé figures. So going to the TOYCON is something we anticipate every year.
I remember the first TOYCON I attended, which was the second one. Ryan asked me to go with him to SM Megamall along with Don and Glenn (their coworker at the Art Department then). He said to me they were going to a toy convention. I immediately agreed because I was curious. I only heard of toy conventions held abroad. I’ve never thought then that there could be a convention devoted to toys here in the Philippines.
So there we were at Function Rooms A-B. Though I expected a bigger venue just like the ones I see at the Net, I have never seen so many toys in my life. The place was filled to capacity with buyers, sellers, and gawkers (like me). I wish I brought more money because there were so many good things to buy, from toys of my time to the newer ones. We promised ourselves to be back next year with more money in our pockets.
We did come back the next year but Ryan was not with us because he was the godfather of the daughter of a dear friend of ours. We were able to find so many interesting stuffs and bought some toys that fit our budget.
In the fourth TOYCON, the venue was much bigger and there were also a lot of new things they launched like contests and cosplay. Ryan and Don joined the toy diorama contest. Ryan won third place at that category. We went home happy from the convention because of that.
The fifth TOYCON was much more enjoyable because there were more things to see, especially the booth babes. Here Don won third place at the toy diorama category. It was also the first time we featured the event here in our blog. I joined the custom toy contest, which Ryan and Don encouraged me. I entered a small version of Iron Man. Though I didn’t win, I enjoyed doing that art project (which I’ve never done for so many years).
Last year, at the sixth TOYCON, Don won third place again, this time at the custom mecha category. Ryan and I also joined that category but didn’t win. The TOYCON was much more different for me because my sister, nephew, and brother-in-law came with me at the second day. They also enjoyed the con very much, especially my nephew who dressed up as Black Spiderman. There were so many people who wanted to take pictures of him. I was very happy because I was able to share the joy of attending the TOYCON with family members.
Looking back, I realized that the TOYCON was one of the many moments we were able to bond together as friends. It was a time to relax from the many hassles at work and put our creative juices to work. It has become something we look forward each year and we hope that the fun never stops.

The 7th Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention 2008
June 14-15, 2008
Megatrade Hall 2-3, SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
www.toyconph.com