Yo! It's been awhile, and starting from AniCon, Anime Alliance Philippines is once again in the sidelines to bring you the latest and the greatest anime events within the country! One of which is the most awaited AniCon which just ended last October 5! Details of the event and experiences from our correspondents is below so sit tight, relax and enjoy reading them! Pictures is uploaded
HEREOctober 5, 2008
Megatrade Hall 3
SM Megamall
Entrance fee: PhP100
Freebies:
Gaming Posters (limited while supplies lasts)
PhP20.00 Level Up! Pre Paid Cards
PhP20.00 HiStreet5 Pre Paid cards
1 Bottle of Yakult
Sponsors:
PSICOM
Yoshinoya
Yakult
PINOYPS
SM Megamall
Megatrade Hall
UP AME
Power Color
CREATIVE
GAMEHOPPER
Kellogg's
Toy Kingdom
Cooperation with: SAMSUNG
If any of the readers are reading my report, they must be thinking why am I writing this way? Maybe it's because I used to write at journals. So I thought... convention journal? A stranger who was sitting beside me looked on as I write in a notebook and therefore asked, "Is that for your blog?" I replied, "No. Actually I'm making a report for Anime Alliance Philippines."
I'll get to the point.
I'm making a report about today's *October 5, 2008* event. I wanted to borrow my pa's digicam so badly but its battery was not yet charged. So I gathered the old camera and decided to buy the film later before I headed to Megatrade Hall 3. Of course I was in a hurry to get to church and to Megatrade after the Sunday mass. But as I got comfortably seated in the car and passed the guardhouse, I realized I only have my pen in my bag. Where is my notebook? *jaw drops*
I have no time to freak-out and go back to my room to grab a notebook to write on. I thought of buying a new one.
By the time Steph and I arrived at Megamall, I went to one of the camera store to buy film. Then headed to National Bookstore to buy a notebook to write a report on. Then suddenly changed my mind and went down to Comic Alley. As I looked on the few notebooks, I thought which one to buy: the Naruto notebook or the other one, Gundam Seed notebook. I have chosen Gundam Seed, paid the price and headed straight to Megatrade Hall 3.
The elevator is full of people so I decided to use the escalator instead.
The event opened at exact ten o'clock in the morning. With the camera ready, I have the film inside and another extra film I bought this morning in the bag. As I got into the venue, I took a picture of the poster by the ticket booth. The line at the entrance is not that long nor crowded since buying the ticket is a breeze. The ticket seller handed us our ticket stubs (which also included a bowling stub per head) and then, I saw that our stub will be cut in half after passing through. I gave myself time to take the stubs a picture before reaching one of the staff. After my AniCon stub is cut in the middle, one of the staff at the entrance gave me a green highlight paper wrist band as an indicator that I have paid the ticket. Then, the freebies were handed to me.
After passing the entrance, I started looking around. I'm looking for a very clean floor where to place my freebies. I took a picture of them, as well Steph's wrist band. *Thank God for having comic Alley's plastic bag since there's no bag
for freebies.*
Yoshinoya Restaurant caught my attention. It's actually a temporary room made from assembled fiber plastic. As I entered, I saw refreshments. (Who wouldn't be thirsty anyway? The crowd's population is making me sweat!) On the other side is the Amatsuri (UP AME) Room, built the same way as Yoshinoya. Next to Amatsuri is the registration booth for the cosplayers and art contest participants' corner.
As I turned left, I saw PINOYPS.com's booth. This caught my attention and suddenly got curious because I don't know when this forum actually started so I interviewed the recent moderator, Mr. Ryan Obra.
Why is it called PINOYPS? This is called PINOYPS because this is a forum of discussions regarding PS games among Filipinos with topics raging from the original PlayStation to Playtation2. Therefore the members are not just from the Philippines but from the rest of the countries around the world.
When did it all began and who started this? It started in 2003 when a group of friends - sorry I don't know their real names so I will tell you their usernames: Joms, Choi, AceKit and Purpolony - decided to come up with topics when PlayStation1 became the popular game console. Their
purpose is to unite the gamers, to solve problems, and there are guides for new members with rules to follow.
How many events have you exhibited PINOYPS? This is the second time for PINOYPS to exhibit in a convention. The first one was in GXCON, last year here in Megatrade as well.
Any encouragement for members and new members to come? Play more to be satisfied. But do not neglect studies and work. Games are for all ages.
After my interview, I thanked Mr. Obra and then moved on.
To my right is the stage. Since I don't have my professional meassuring tape with me, I decided to measure it with my normal speed steps. The length size is about nine-ten steps, the width four steps *i didn't bother with the height; it's too low anyway* and the audience space *no chairs available so I sat at the floor before the band of Reklamo began playing their rock music* is approximately 15 steps from the stage to PINOYPS. *Isn't the space too small?!*
As I passed both stage and PINOYPS booth, I looked at Ongaku Society booth at the corner near the stage and therefore saw Hazel Velas, one of the veteran cosplayers as well as one of the members of the band called Progeny. *We miss the good old anime skating days.* I interviewed her as well when she wasn't busy with her buyers at Ongaku booth.
When did Ongaku Society started? Five years since May 10, 2003.
Who's idea for Ongaku Society to start? Jefferson "Sonnaqs" Aquino, the drummer of NeOtaku. He started this for Jrock and thus organized the gigs of Jrock performers. He seeks help from me.
How many bands have been performing since then? About more than twenty.
Do you get paid while you have a gig? No. We play for free. We make our own merchandises for profit.
Do you have encouragements for band enthusiasts? We welcome newbies and new bands. We have auditions every summer.
I also thanked Ms. Hazel Velas after the interview.
From Ongaku Society booth, I looked around booths of Marvel and Toy Kingdom. As I go on walking, I saw the Transformers Philippines and the 3 little stalls of Oishi. Then across from Oishi I saw the
Gilmore Computer Center booth. Beside it is the Mangaholix booth. Every purchase of their merchandise (comic magazines, pillows, caps) equivalent to PhP99.00 will have a free sketch.
CS CENTRL has the cds, shirts, and hats in their selling booth that's always crowded in every convention. Despite the owner's busy hour, I asked if I could interview him when he's not busy on another day or by the time I go to one of his branches. He gave me one of his fliers so that I could make an appointment with him since his schedules are always busy.
Across CSCENTRL is the PowerColor. Thanks for the brochure given to me, I can do my research as well.
Beside the CS CENTRL is HobbyPoint and MangoManga booths. Hobbypoint is busy as well so I moved to the booth of Mango Manga to interview Mr. Bernard Julius Paje, the owner.
When did Mango Manga started? Three years ago *since 2005.*
What is the first product have you sold? Manga scans. Since Anime became in demand, we added anime to our merchandise, followed by toys and posters.
Which of the merchandise is the most sold out? The ecchi, R18 genre and violent anime are mostly bought.
Any additional words for your all-time and future buyers to know about? We are promoting quality and clear cds that were formatted for pc and downloaded from the internet.
After thanking Mr. Paje for the interview, I went on looking to its crowding neighbors, 2rats, Purefoods' nuggets and Kelloggs' cereals booths. Across them is the promoting place of HighStreet5. Its moderator is hard to find to have an
interview with, even the spokesman. *Reads the brochure of the HighStreet5 Student Dancer Kit*
Introducing HighStreet5
Someone once said that dancing is like dreaming with your feet... and in HighStreet5 there are only dreamers. HighStreet5 is the coolest free-to-play online dance game where thousands of players can come together to mingle with each other in a world of friends, fashion and dance! Downloading and playing HighStreet5 is free - you only pay if you want to, so give HighStreet5 a try! It has MetroCity Features and Fun Dance Modes.
The current HighStreet5 version offers some incredible features that you will not find in any other dance game! When you log into the game, you are immersed into a virtual city with towering skyscrapers and upscale malls where hundreds of players can roam together at the same time. The virtual metropolis is a perfect community platform, and you will be able to follow your friends into stores and watch them as they try on clothes and shop for their party outfit.
Enjoy dancing in any one of our more than 10 dance modes, including battle dance, lovers dance, group party dancing and more! Up-to-date popular music is broadcast for players to dance to - you can also request for songs and tag a dedication along with it in any dance hall!
All you have to do is register at www.highstreet5.com.ph and click on "Sign Up" under the Community Section. Simply enter the necessary details and press submit to receive an account immediately for you to party in HighStreet5! Then you can customize your character's attributes like gender, head size, height, body shape, zodiac sign and so forth. You will need to decide on a Name which will be displayed above your character in the game.
Simply enter any dance hall in the game and click on the upper right icon to choose your dance mode and begin your dance!
To add a friend, right-click on any player on the screen and add him/her as a friend. You will be able to send friends private messages, gifts and check whether they are online at any time!
As you cill out in the city or sweat it out in a dance hall, you can simply type in your message in the chat bar and press enter and a speech bubble will apear. You can enable private chat to keep your conversation a secret, and you can also buy megaphones to broadcast your message to everyone on the server!
To engage in video chat, right click on any player and choose "video Request." If the player accepts your request, HighStreet5 will detect your webcam setup and allow both of you to chat to each other live!
Dance guilds are the small communities of players who come together as groups to dance and play together in HighStreet5 Click on the "Interact Icon" and create your own group - your guild can have up to 100 players! To join another
guild, you must receive an invitation from their guild leader.
Shopping in HighStreet5 requires Scores and Cash Points - you can earnScores through dancing and Cash Points by topping your account. HighStreet5 offers a large variety of items and services that allow you to spice up your character including fashinable clothes and accessories, hair styles and color customizing as well as special dance items and stunts! Go to the mall, store or salon and click to highlight the icon of the item you wish to purchase. Then, click on "Purchase" above to buy the item.
You can top up by purchasing prepaid Cash Point cards in stores all over Philippines or during the events and activating your card at the official website at www.highstreet5.com.ph Cash Point cards are priced at PhP20 *80points*,
PhP50 *200points*, PhP100 *420points* and PhP250 *1060points.* Alternatively, you can also top up using PayPal at the official website.
Minimum & Recommended Specs:
Minimum Requirements = Recommended Specs
CPU = PIII 800 CPU = PIV 2.0 Ghz
Memory = 256MB Memory = 512MB
Video Card = 64M Video card = 128M
Hard drive = 2.5G Hard drive = 4G
As I look on the back of the Student Dance Kit's cd cover, It features the HighStreet Marriage and In-Game Community. You can have blissful marriage with your lover, invite your friends in an elaborate celebration and find your happiness in HighStreet5. You can also create your personal profile with pictures and blogs; meet and know new friends through the community system and hundreds of thousands of new friends waithing for you!
Inside the cd packet are 3cds of HighStreet5 with the installer guide to follow through.
As I walk around again *The HighStreet5 game booth occupied the middle as well as PINOYPS and PowerColor* I started to look for cosplayers and clicking my camera on the participant #13, Priss Asagiri in gear worn by Tyron Aquino. I have a hard time interviewing him because he's one of the main attraction. Moving along are the costrippers: Trish Surema as Lacus Clyne and Rocella Santiago as Simca. I kept walking and saw the other costrippers: Deathnote. Jade_kun as Light Yagami, generaltifa/Rina as Misa Amane and gryffindorgirl16/Joanne as Near.
The forever comment I have ever heard about other cosplayers inside and outside the venue:
"Ang taba naman nun!"
"Hindi naman nila kamuka e."
"Ang papangit naman nila."
"May kulang pa."
After going around, have lunch and got tired in all of chaos *not violent chaos actually; just the booming music in the stage's speakers as well as the music in HiStreet5 booth and the growing population of the crowd in the small venue* I decided to sit down on the floor in the middle of the front row. :D I observed the lazer lights that are in sync with the music while I waited for the band Reklamo to start their music, as well as for cosplayers to walk and pose on stage. As I
waited and listened to anime music, I caught the one who's cosplaying Master Satan *Master Pogi* dancing at the back stage. He! He! He!
Then there's the two lively hosts that reminded me of the call center accent merged with an announcer's disco jock humor. They read the little notes handed to them. I hear greetings from friends, an otaku's name announced because his
parents is looking for him, "Walang Misa-Misa!", love notes for their sweethearts, telling the participants in both art and cosplay event to use their real names because usernames are unacceptable, as well as promotion of the next events to be held in days to come:
another convention on October 21 (?!) *my ears got deaf for a while because I couldn't hear*
the Ongaku RE-MIX on October 25, 2008 at Calye Brown, 3rd Floor Atchie's Restobar, El Pueblo, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. *Reading the flier Hazel velas handed to me.*
The UP AME at Bahay ng mga Alumni by November 8, 2008.
And the future convention to be held on April 3, 4 and 5, 2009 at Megatrade 2.
Of course, the sponsors are specially mentioned.
Then the band Reklamo get up on stage after they were called. Reklamo is composed of 3 members: a guitarist/vocalist, a bassist, and a drummer. After a few minutes of warm-up at their instruments, they played two songs that woke the audience. An intermission followed through.
Despite the small stage, the audience were told to move back to give way for the cosplayers to have their path in catwalk and poses, especially the ones who have props and for bigger costumes to fit in front of the stage. One of the staff
must have heard Steph pointing out the bulk chests, extention cords and speakers on the floor since those things were scattered and occupied the space as well. *Steph added that she should have been the organizer because the event is not that well organized. Lol* The microphones were placed in front of us *nice view!* and then one of the staff decided to get the other microphone and left what's totally in front of me. *Am I that lucky? I don't have gris-gris that voodoo- believing people use to fight evil spirits. Not to mention I made a peace-sign aka kawaii-sign pose when the cameraman moved his camera along the audience seated in front. Oops! Few main photographers sat right in front of me! I'm already in Japanese-siting position. It's so hard to move comfortably, Not to mention the complaints from some of the audience as well: "Ang sikip-sikip na eh" and "Kakainis naman kasi yung iba sa harap pa sisingit. Pano ba tayo hindi papaatrasin?"*
The judge's table is placed on stage and three judges were called: NILO, Hazel Velas and Mike Tan. So where did the host went? They're sitting by the stairs facing the cosplayers lined up by number. Each cosplayer only have 60 seconds to do their cat-walk, pose, say some few quotes, face the judges as well and leave.
As the cosplayers do their cat-walk and poses, I only pictured few among the 79 cosplayers. As I do so, I also listened to audience's comments nearby while I watch. Some are Shy *just pose for few seconds then run toward the exit.*
Others have to bare the silence among the audience *looking for looks actually.* I wasn't able to click on most cosplayers because they also moved a lot! Godzilla was buried on several rows of garbage bags and Scotch tapes. The host remarked that the toddler cosplaying as the Gingerbreadman in Ghostbusters is not that scary. Another toddler cosplayed as a monster that made all of us scream after he removed his helmet. We saw the scariest face mask.
Other cosplayers received the silence if not being remarked.
The last cosplayer, Gaara, somehow made some dancing moves for the background music playing after doing his poses. The crowd did really cheered for him. *I really need the vidcam so badly!*
Speaking of dance, it must be worth the wait while listening to random anime music in the booming speakers. I zoomed my sight on the open back stage, seeing one group doing their blockings and dance moves during the several minutes of intermission that seemed long, long time ago... after ten years... after one cetury... it doesn't seemed hours of several minutes to me while I wait for group cosplay to begin. My butt, legs, and feet are in pain. Steph's eyes were drooping. Another call for us to move back more since group cosplayers really do need more space than the space needed for catwalk.
After the long wait, the hosts are back with small pieces of paper in their hands. The group cosplay is composed of three groups. Mike Tan and Sonnaqs are two of the judges. Despite that I got deaf again, I didn't hear the other judge's
name.
The first group, Tricksters, are mixed anime cosplayers; one of them cosplayed Konata of Lucky Star. One of them is shy so she hid at the back of one girl who lead the dance.
The second group, Bust-A-Move, danced better than the first group. Seven of them *three girls, four guys* have their show down skills as one of them did several break-dance floor routines. When one of them "shoot" them all, I thought it was over. Music changed. The boys have their separate group dance; then the girls as well after the music changed again. Then they danced in one whole group. In everyone's mind, this group will win.
The third group left us wondering what's really the ending despite that there are no lines but body language, back ground music and effects. *I forgot the name of the group despite the screams of the audience.* Konata and Kagami of Lucky
Star are both playing their PSP games when Misa Amane of Deathnote approached them and wanted to play with them. Since both Konata and Kagami are selfish, Misa Amane killed them using the Deathnote. Then, a girl *I really don't know who* called Mask Man to fight Misa since Misa's shinigami eyes is worthless for a "masked" human being. Then, Ryuk comes along to save Misa so he kills Mask Man. Then he and Misa made a tug-of-war on Deathnote. Misa won and thus kills Ryuk as well. Then the spirits she has killed are now after her. End.
I didn't get the results since the driver texted me that he is waiting for me to get in the car. Argh! I don't know the results of the Art, Cosplay and Group cosplay competitions. Who won?
5:00pm - the time i left the convention
7:50pm ... the time i set my fingers to type on the keyboard regarding the recent event i went to: The Anicon 2008.
October 7, 2008 - 10:12am... the time I ended up typing the whole thing *don't count the hours of sleeping and resting period*
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Correspondents:
Irene Jean Cabalquinto (Senior Correspondent)
Stephanie Joy Santayana (Correspondent)Brought to you by:
The Anime Alliance Philippines Team!
Labels: Anicon, AniCon 2008, PINOYPS
