Monday, April 26, 2010

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY ON LABOR DAY!


Comic Fans rejoice! after another year of waiting, you can now again enjoy the celebration of Labor day with a new comic on your hand. I actually missed last year but will definitely won't miss this one. So better prepare and save the date. Here are the stores who will participate for this year's free comic book day.

COMIC QUEST
30 BAGUIO STREET
MUNTINLUPA CITY
PHILIPPINES

Phone:632-633-5520

DRUID'S KEEP
2002 LEVERIZA ST
PASAY CITY
PHILIPPINES
1300
Phone:632-854-5332

COMIC ODYSSEY
LEVEL 3, EXPANSION MALL
ROBINSON'S GALLERIA
QUEZON CITY
PHILIPPINES

Phone:632-914-0040

FULLY BOOKED**
B6 902 BONIFACIO HIGH STREET
BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
TAGUIG CITY
PHILIPPINES
1634
Phone:632-756-5006

**Fully Booked won't be participating on May 1, 2010 they'll be having their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY two weeeks after this event. You can also check Planet X Comics branches in Trinoma and Glorietta 3 for their participation.

also here is Milo Ventimiglia for some words...

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Komikon Summer de Avance 2010!


Election year, but still another year for a new advance in the Pinoy komiks industry. Komikon Summer de Avance 2010 held in the UP Bahay ng Alumni last Apil 17 gave another treat for all comic lovers, enthusiasts and all in between to meet and greet comic creators, producers, independent comic strip makers, and other comic celebrities. Amidst the high temperature outside the venue, it does not spoil the fun of all who attended to enjoy the event.

Featured artist is a recipient of an Eisner award/nominee , Rod Espinosa. And there were a lot of new books up for sale. Spotted there were the SKP (Samahan Kartunista ng Pilipinas) artist, comic compilations by Vibal and Anvil publishing. Also there were a lot of indie komiks that are increasing in numbers through the years (I hope to one of them by this year too). There were a lot of Games and prizes to those who attended.

Now who says the komiks industry is dying?

I believe that It is striving to stay, but not dead,  and there are still a lot of opportunities given they are given equally. Pinoys will and always love komiks. Its has been a staple in the past. And today, komiks does evolve with the changes in society and technology. Probably if the generation today will get to know more about this, there could be a chance to bring the new age of komiks in the lives of Pinoys.

Komikon Summer de avance is just the first major event of Komikon this year. And like last year, there will be another komikon that will be held in November 2010. But also don't fogrt there will be also other events like the metro comicon and toycon this year. So election aside, these are he reasons why we should be most excited about. And hopefully for the new administration, it will support this industry that we have loved.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Playstation now available on Sony Stores in the Philippines!

I always wonder why the Playstation is not available on Sony stores here in the Philippines. It was quite ironic since there is an increase in the sales of PSP and the PS3 but it was never available on the official Sony centers. However, Sony recently launched the PSP and PS3 in Glorietta Activity Center together with new games and features of Sony products.


The launch makes a mark as the Sony Stores all over the Philippines are now having a space for the Playstation brand, the consoles, games and accessories. Knowing the Playstation is known for gaming, the activities lined for the event were fun and games. There was also a cosplay competition on the first day in which the winner would take home a PS3.


On the second day, there was a TEKKEN competition on the PSP. There were a number of celebrities that were at the event to join the celebrity challenge on the PS3. A lucky person also takes home a PS3 just by registering. And even if you are not in the competitions, you can still take a chance to try out the new games of the PS3 like God of War 3, Final Fantasy XXIII. In display also was the 3D HDTV by Sony for a very realistic viewing experience.


Now it is official, you can now go to any Sony Store near you to get a PS3 or a PSP. I hope that in the future, they can also open an official Playstation store for the Philippines in which you can buy games online using Peso credits. For now, its a big relief to see Playstation gears and gadets beside other Sony products that would really make it officially available!

3 days Ozine Fest 2010!



As summer kicks off recently and school is out, its the perfect venue for otaku and cosplayers to go full force and enjoy going to conventions, specifically Ozine Fest of 2010! The con is 3 days held at the SM Megatarde Halls 1 and 2. And with a 3 days of whole day of Anime and Cosplay action, it was filled with a lot of activities. And just as expected, there were a lot of Otakus and Cosplayers that filled the halls. Also there were a lot of enthusiasts and regular mall customers who were interested with the event which was near the chapel and the stores.

This con is very much awaited since this is one of the main cons that many were anticipating even at the start of the year. The venue takes 2 halls and is divided into sections with two stages for the different events like the group and individual cosplay. There were also exciting events like drawing contests, eating contests and also a maid cafe for the those who wants to dine with the beautiful (kawaii) maids.

If you are a regular attendee of cosplay conventions, you will be able to recognize active cosplayers of manila. You could also detect foreigners like Koreans, Japanese and other nationalities that adds the feel of international convention. The show front act (formerly shown on TV5 and now on solar TV), have a booth as they are searching for the next frontista idol. So far, the event was a success with the number of cosplayers in which on the third day, there was 302 registered cosplayers for the catwalk.

However, according to my observation, there were less mech cosplayers this time unlike the other previous cons but there were a rising number of kid cosplayers who were less than 7 years old, some were as young as 4 years old. This makes me wonder if their parents were cosplayers before and how they taught their children how to pose and do a impressive catwalk. The event coincidently falls on April 9 which is a holiday (Araw ng Kagitingan, Day of Valor) which is favorable for attendee who are in the workforce to attend or join their children for this one.

And also, this event also paves the way to another new convention for Otakus, is GO KAISHO. This will be held on May 8 at the World Trade Trading Center. Advance tickets are available for P75 pesos on Ozine. You can also get more details at their website http://www.gokaisho-event.com.


photos by kuroi tenshi

The 3rd Philippine Cosplay Convention

After TAGCOM last February, another cosplay event happens on Robinson's Place Manila Midtown and this time its more on cosplay. The 3rd Philippine Cosplay Competition is made for cosplayers in the metro as it is becoming the newest convention for cosplayers' in the first quarter of the year. The PCC consist on more cosplay activities and competitions as well as serving Anime Otakus and enthusiasts. Its the 2nd time this event happened in the same venue since the midtown section was completed 2 years ago. But it was very worth it since it is perfect for all kinds of costumes, either a big mech robot, or a kawaii school girl would perfectly fit in. It also provides a nice spot for photographers to make perfect shots with less lighting since sunlight would pass trough the entrance. PCC is always held in Robinson's which hopes to attract cosplayers who would attend cons held at SM malls. Though a new kind of anime con, the elements are very similar like cosplay, anime and bands which is the standard. However, PCC would be favorable like TAGCOM since there is no entrance fee which more people can attend and draws more audience since its just beside the mall entrance



The PCC would actually may need to have some time to gain a reputation as a major con since its very new and would need to have a very interesting feature that can attract more people. But since the cosplay community is quickly pacing with an increasing number, this event provides a supplement in paving the way for the other Anime and Cosplay cons usually on the 3rd or 4th quarter of the year.