TOYCON POPLIFE FanXperience 2018: Pop Culture Heroes to come out and play in Toycon 2018

Tweet

The Philippine TOYCON, Asia’s longest-running culture convention for toys, collectibles, and various pop culture fandoms, announced the latest line up of guests for this year’s highly-anticipated event.

Two Power Rangers, a Peter Pan Fire Lord, a lycan (ie. werewolf), and a legendary comic book creator are coming to TOYCON POPLIFE FanXperience 2018 on June 8-10, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Leading the list is comic book industry Hall of Famer Neal Adams, whose reinvention of Batman’s look to the blue-and-gray color scheme highlights his work and influence during the 1960s and 1970s, aside from creating Batman villains Ra’s al Ghul and Man-Bat, and revitalized other titles such as Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and X-Men.

Filipino-American actor Dante Basco will get to meet his kababayan fans. He played Peter Pan’s sidekick Rufio in the 1991 movie Hook alongside Robin Williams, and is the voice actor for the fire-bender Zuko in Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jake Long in Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long cartoon series, as well as various video game characters.

Two actors from the Power Rangers franchise will share the TOYCON 2018 stage. Jason David Frank played the Green Ranger and the White Ranger in the 1993-1996 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series and its other iterations over the years. Michael Copon’s breakout role was playing the Blue Ranger in last year’s Power Rangers: Time Force movie, but he was also known for his roles in the TV series One Tree Hill.

Another TOYCON 2018 guest is Kevin Grevioux, best known for his role as the lycan Raze who fought against vampires in the Underworld film series, which he also co-created and wrote the screenplay of the movie. He also appeared in films such as Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes remake, The Mask, and Steel.

American actress, fashion model and beauty queen, Kelly Hu will join Toycon, he's popularly known to play as Sorceress Cassandra in The Scorpion King movie, then Kelly played a villain in X-men 2 movie as Lady Deathstrike, the mutant with adamantium finger claws. She did voice roles for characters in Phineas and Ferb, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Green Lantern:Emerald Knight. On TV she played as Pearl on CW series The Vampire Diaries and also in Arrow tv series as China White.

According to Cholo Mallillin, Event Marketing Head for TOYCON PH, this year’s event aims to give Filipino pop culture fans a playground experience with a community that shares their common interests.

“What we want to give TOYCON fans every year is a sense of belonging to various fan communities. We bring in guests and experiences that bring fans back to why they collect toys, cosplay, read comics, or rewatch their favorite TV series or movies in the first place,” Mallillin said.

Mallillin added that more guests and attractions will be announced in the coming days and even on the opening day itself.

Among the other attractions in TOYCON 2018 is “Sikat Ka Toy!”, the Philippine’s first ever toy design contest. Artists and toy aficionados can submit their designs by June 2 for a chance to receive more than Php 30,000 worth of prizes and the opportunity to have their winning toy design produced for limited sale. Toy designs for the Sikat Ka Toy! contest can be emailed to toyconph@gmail.com by June 2, 2018, and contest mechanics are on toyconph.com.

Other attractions for this year include toy exclusives from the popular Funko toy line, as well as toy exhibits and launches from global designers, Anatoy from South Korea, Coarse from the USA, Deewy from China, Playhouse from Thailand, and Hidden Fortress Manila featuring the works of premier Pinoy toy designer Quiccs Maiquez.

Highlights:

• The biggest gathering of Toys, comics and merch exhibitors in the country
• The biggest toy display by the Philippines Toy Group Association
• International celebrities and guest from PopLife FANX
• International toy designers from Philippines, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and USA
• Toy exhibit by XM Studios, Sideshow, Prime One and Hot Toys
• Visual art exhibit by Toym Imao
• Arts and Comics artist Alley
• Filipino Comics Legends Exhibit 
• ABS CBN Display
• Cosplay K.O.
• Solar, Jack TV and MTV display 
• Sinag Animation Presentation
• TMC mini cinema showing Tokyo Ghoul, Fist of Fury and The Wailing
• TRESE Toy Launch
• The Creator Stage featuring online creators and celebrity
• Gaming Stage
• Sound Arena Stage featuring: KISSBEE, HYOLYN and APL DE AP
• Warner Bros. presents Teen Titans and The Meg
• Action figure and toy customization contest
• Sikat Ka Toy! Philippine toy design competition
• Toycon Exclusive - TEQ63 Manila Killa by Quiccs
• Toycon Exclusive - Toycon Minifig by Pinoy LUG 
• Pinoy Pop Culture Icon Award
• AND MANY MORE.......

TOYCON 2018 + POPLIFE FANX is sponsored by Maxi Collector, Legendary Beast Studio, XM, Filbars, Great Toys Online, and Gaming Library. 

Supported by Kramer Toy Warden, Warner Bros, Tagalized Movie Channel, Sinag Animation Studios, Anotoys Collectibles, Hubbyte Toys and Collectibles, Dreamworks Dreamplay, City of Dreams Manila, Shopback, Halimaw Studios, Big Boys Toy Store, KidsCompany, Bandai, Gundam Build Divers, Devant, Tamashii Nations, Good Smile Company, Jinio, Comic Odyssey, DC Superheroes Cafe, Food Panda, Bruder, Xend and Oishi O Wow.

Media Partner with ABS CBN, Expat Philippines, WheninManila.com, Manila Bulletin, MTV Philippines, Jack TV, PSICOM Publishing, Retro 105.9, Clickthecity.com and the Philippine Bloggers Network

Event Partner with TEQ63, Anima Alliance, Philippine Toy Groups Association and Ex-Link Events

TOYCON POPLIFE FanXperience 2018 regular day passes and FanX VIP Experience passes are available in all SM Ticket outlets or through www.toyconph.com.

The 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit

Tweet

The 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit, an initiative of the DENR - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is happening on August 10-12, 2017 at SMX Aura, Taguig City.

Aims to raise the bar of environmental awareness of consumers and beef up efforts in solving the rising problem of solid waste in Metro Manila and other urban areas in provinces across the country, the 3rd Integrated Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit is open to the public, including government agencies and non-government organizations. 

The Expo offers various activities like forums, talks and workshops that bear interesting topics on environmental protection, renewable energy, sustainable livelihood, and updates on consumer goods that help save the earth.

The Expo aspires to heighten a proactive awareness on issues that bear upon the environment and its ecological well-being. The ever-rising mountains of trash in our landfills, our rivers, waterways, and seas, is a serious matter of concern that has stared us in the eye for decades. 

Good laws have been passed, government efforts on alleviating garbage problems in Metro Manila and major urban centers across the country have seen improvements since R.A. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” was put in motion in 2000. Amazingly, seventeen years later, we are still in neck-deep sea of rubbish. Major gaps cry out to be filled because the solution lies not only on laws or government effort, but at the source of waste itself — the consumers. 

The Expo hopes to boost efforts in promoting a deeper commitment among Filipinos in every household, business establishments, and institutions in achieving positive social and environmental impact. Visitors will gain invaluable information, instruction, and insight on eco-friendly solutions that is practical, cost-efficient and sustainable.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — the global battle cry for the environment resonates. Redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are reused, imitating nature’s sustainable cycles, would mean no trash is sent to landfills and incinerators — no more air pollution, no more water contamination. Changing our consumer lifestyles and practices is the solution to making this vision possible. 

We can bring about positive change if we work together as a nation — for the environment, for the country, for every Filipino. We hold the key.

The 3rd Integrated Ecological Waste Management Expo and Environment Summit is organized by DENR - Environmental Management Bureau in partnership with Department of Interior and Local Government, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Quezon City and Taguig City. 

Admission is free. For online registration, kindly visit environmentsummit.ph.

Young Hya Tara with Lea Salonga's "Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream"

Tweet

Watch out for "Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream", concert on March 22, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to see little princesses dream and wishes do come true.

Globe Live presents the musical celebration of Disney Princess movies with the competition of six young girls vying for a chance to be featured in Disney's online video series: Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream. 

Celebrity coach Lea Salonga, is the main performance of the concert with Aicelle Santos, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Janina Vela, Julie Anne San Jose, KC Concepcion, Morissette, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos.

Sixteen years old, Hya Tara Leonardo, more known as Hya, is one of the six contestants. She is the breadwinner of her family. She stopped schooling to financially support her grandmother and special-needs brother. To do that, she sings and dances at clubs, private parties, weddings and such to make ends meet. Her mother abandoned them while her father passed away. She was the day's winner in the Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids competition last February 24, 2016.

Hya Tara Leonardo

"I want to be rich like people who have iPhones," she said. Hya wants to be a Broadway actress and singer, just like her idol Lea Salonga. She's always dreamt of performing in front of a large audience. On March 22nd, one of her dreams will come true.

Let's see the magical performances of these young dreamers with the help of various mentors headed by Disney legend Lea Salonga, theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, social educator Efren Penaflorenda, veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato, animator Tito Romero, chef Jessie Sincioco, and YouTuber and host Charisma Star. 

The other five contestants dream to be featured in Disney's online video series are Sirach Catipay, Stephanie Jordan, Jaden Narvios, Liana San Diego, and Alexi Tan. 

Watch and enjoy "Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream Concert" to see the magical adventures and their wishes and dreams do come true. 

Get 50% discount on every "Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream Concert" tickets by simply using the Promo Code = Pbnet143 via https://smtickets.com/events/view/5485 or over-the-counter.

The maximum single transaction using the Promo Code is buying six (6) tickets.

The Promo Code is available starting today until March 22, 2017, courtesy of the partnership between Globe Telecom and the Philippine Bloggers Network (PBNet).

#idaretodream #createbigdreams

#pbnetworkph #pbnet #GlobeTelecom 

“Change.Move.Achieve: Moving forward through Social Media” - AFP all geared up for 3rd Social Media Summit on July 15

Tweet

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is all set to hold its 3rd Social Media Summit on July 15, 2016 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Spearheaded by Media and Civil Affairs Group (MCAG) and Civil-Military Operations School (CMO School) of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP (CRSAFP), the conference now on its 3rd year is scheduled to tackle current social media trends and issues as a tool to further enhance online engagement within the Armed Forces and key partner organizations.

With this year’s theme: “Change.Move.Achieve: Moving forward through Social Media”, the Summit is aimed at boosting and synergizing AFP’s online initiatives and strengthening nationalism and public service awareness through social media networks.

This one-day conference will cover issues on getting the most out of social media networks and its capabilities in nation building and how to utilize its potential and its relevance to the Philippine society in stewarding and synergizing online reputation management and strengthening nationalism and public service awareness through online presence.

One of the main topics that will be discussed is how did social media shape and affect the 2016 Philippine National Elections.

LTC MICHAEL T AQUINO (INF) PA, MCAG Commander, CRSAFP said: “We have been feeling the power of Social Media in recent years. We saw how Social Media technology has created an impact on the lives of many Filipinos even in the 2016 Philippine National Elections. With its fast-paced advancements and developments, it is high time for all of us, not only the AFP, to move forward through Social Media and utilize its power to achieve our personal and organizational goals.”

More than 1,200 participants (30% AFP, 20% PNP/BJMP/BFP, 30% from the public audience which includes students, working public, and academe, and 20% from other government agencies) are expected to attend this conference.

The event is co-presented by Smart Communications and HAIER Philippines. These organizations share the same value on the importance of social media in promoting the goals of their organizations.

“We have been part of the AFP’s social media summit since the beginning.  Not only because we are a partner of the AFP, but more importantly we share the AFP’s strategy of a connecting and engaging our stakeholders.  As more and more Filipinos connect to the Internet and with a new Administration in place, the 3rd AFP Social Media Summit could potentially be a powerful tool for developing the value of nationalism,” said Wo Rosete, Head of Public Affairs at Smart Communications. 

Invited participants in the conference include information officers from various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of National Defense, the Philippine National Police, academic institutions and other government organizations and agencies. Non-government and civil-society organizations will also be invited.

BGEN RHODERICK M PARAYNO AFP, COMMANDER, CRSAFP said: “With about 50% of Filipinos actively engaging in Social Media networks and the enormous number of people around the world, the Internet has become not just an efficient tool for disseminating information but it has also become the most important venue for connecting to those we in the AFP serve. The 3rd AFP Social Media Summit will tackle how we can optimize the power of Social Media to connect for change while we actively move forward to achieve the AFP’s organizational goals related to public service.”

The 3rd AFP Social Media Summit will provide participants the opportunity to get insights on:

• Content Marketing and Social Media Benchmarks
• Organizing and Mobilizing Online Community
• Going Viral: Lessons for Creating Stories with Impact
• Bridging Generation Gaps and Social Media
• Shaping National Issues through Social Media
• Social Media and Countering Violent Extremism

The summit is open to all interested parties who want to know more about trends, developments and issues in Social Media, the effect of Social Media in organizations, and best practices in utilizing Social Media in spreading useful information to intended audience, among others. Interested parties may contact: 09265540787.

Event partners include Ardent Communications, DWDD Katropa Radio 1134 kHz, AFP General Insurance, AFP Theater, ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, and PNP Police Community Relations Group.

Media partners include Philippine Bloggers Network, Llamadista TV, StyleList, Inquire.net, Newsbytes.ph, techTV.ph, TechBeat.ph, DigitalFilipina.com, and Spice.ph.

More information about the 3rd AFP Social Media Summit can be accessed at http://AFPSocialMediaSummit.dwdd.com.ph/.

Connect with AFP Social Media Summit on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/afpsms.

Digital Dads Share Their Best Parenting Advice for Father’s Day

Tweet

News flash!!!  

Digital  netizens fully utilized the power of social media. The most exciting part of the digital day is sharing with the Facebook and digital people all over the world.

The generation that grew up on the buzzing sounds of dial-up internet is now officially grown up and running the world. 

In fact, not a few of them are already full-fledged fathers. So we threw a couple of these digital dads a fun, hypothetical question: If they could go a few years back in time (back when 3G was new and their own fathers weren’t yet on Facebook), what advice would they give to themselves on how to survive being a father?

Here are some inspiring words from super dads these digital days.

Ian Bacungan

theroguewriter.net/ DWDD

Message for his younger self : “Remember, acceptance freed me and helped me survive fatherhood. Honestly, at first, I was so afraid. I am not prepared to be a father. I am afraid that I won’t be able to support the needs of my children. I was also thinking that party days and good times are over."

Ian Bacungan with kids

“Accepting the reality that I will already be a father helped me become a better man and eventually, a better father. Accepting fatherhood gave me a sense of direction and responsibility. Acceptance made me feel a stronger bond between me and my kids. After all, party days are not over, fathers like me should just know out limits and priorities.”

Bacungan is a loving husband and father to two kids. Aside from blogging, he is also a radio anchor and a digital media specialist.

Marco Rafael and family

Marco Rafael

m2comms.com

Message for his younger self: “My best advice would be, to face everything that happens and not worry about it too much. I know there are a lot of worries, fears, and anxieties involved with becoming a father. ‘What if she grows up a misfit?’ ‘What if she doesn't like me as a father?’ ‘What if I don't give her a proper life?’ Well, what if you just shut it, man up, and be a father to your daughter? Don't try to overthink stuff. Be the best dad that you can be. Experience not just the pleasures and joy of being a father but also the pains. How else would you explain to your 4 year-old daughter that her beloved grandfather has passed away?”

Marco Rafael is the creative director of digital agency M2 Communications. 

Eli Villagonzalo and family

Eli Villagonzalo

Elifestylemanila.com

Message for his younger self: “I keep thinking: If I could have strived more during the earlier days, maybe if I tried to work abroad, or climbed the corporate ladder earlier, or been more aggressive at work, or devoted more time and persistence... But honestly, I have no regrets, only that life could have been much better if I had faced the tougher days when I was younger. So that’s what I would tell myself.”

Photography and writing is Villagonzalo’s passion.

Azrael Coladilla

azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com

Azrael Coladilla and son Ashton

Message for his younger self: "Good job for making the best decision for yourself and your family. You might feel like you’re not ready, but you’re going to do great as a young father and husband. Kudos to you, and more power for your future!"

Coladilla is a full-time blogger, freelance photographer, social media manager, co-founder of ToyCon and digital marketing consultant.

Brian Herrera and kids

Brian Herrera

media-meter.net

Message for his younger self: “It won’t be easy, but it will be the best thing that will ever happen to you. In the course of your fatherhood, you will enjoy every single day of being a dad.”

Herrera is the general manager of Media Meter, a real-time, quad-media monitorin g service.

Enzo Luna and son

Enzo Luna

juanmanilaexpress.com

Message for his younger self: “I don't have any regrets having to raise my two kids, and so surviving fatherhood wasn’t a tough job for me. But if I have to go back in time and have a heart-to-heart talk to my young self, I would say to him: ‘Love your kids even more, no matter what they do or what becomes of them. Just keep it cool raising your kids.’ 

Enzo Luna 's daughter

“To date, I don't have big problems with my kids. Their mom and I, we taught them to be responsible and independent at their young age. I'm glad they're growing up well.”

Luna, a former bar promoter, now runs magazine-themed blog Juan Manila Express.

We hope these inspiring words from the top digital dads make you smile as much as they did us.

To all dads out there: If you could travel slightly back in time, what would you tell yourself?

Happy Father’s Day!

Style Weekend Anniversary Party for #StyleWeekendWomenWhoWow

Tweet

Style Weekend Anniversary party held at Manila Hotel, March 21, 2016 with (L-R) RJ Ledesma (Emcee), Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde, "Women Who Wow' celebrities Rita Nazareno, Pie Alvarez and Cristalle Belo.

Cheers to all women who inspire and show everyone how beautiful life is. 

Women living in style are featured at the Style Weekend Magazine's 2016 Edition "Women Who Wow" right in time for March’s International Women’s Month.

Style Weekend, the fashion and lifestyle magazine from Manila Bulletin is celebrating their 9th year anniversary and their fifth year featuring inspiring women. A great party held at the Champagne Room of Manila Hotel last Monday, March 21, 2016 presenting the admirable eight “Women Who Wow” from different fields who show women empowerment through their body of work and advocacies.

Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde

Cristalle Belo hands over the check to Move.Org Foundation

Liza Ilarde receives the check for Aldub Libraries on behalf of Maine Mendoza

"Women Who Wow" Pie Alvarez, Mayor of San Vicente, Palawan

This year's Style Weekend magazine's annual 'Women Who Wow' issue, is headlining by Maine Mendoza, known as "Yaya Dub in the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!'s "Kalyeserye" segment. Simple but classic beautiful Maine, a natural comic and her popularity even grew bigger, making her name a part of the Filipino household.

Aside from Maine Mendoza, the "Women Who Wow" includes Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach; Mayor of San Vicente, Palawan and Greeneration Ambassador Pie Alvarez; Entrepreneur, adventure seeker, always on a mission, Cristalle Belo; 'Little Miss Sure Shot", a former domestic helper in Hong Kong turned professional photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani; Always busy, passionate, actress, and TV host Isabelle Diaz; Creative Director of S.C. Vizcarra, makers of world-class handbags Rita Nazareno; and the bookstore mogul, the mover behind National Book Store Xandra Ramos Padilla.

This is the first time that Style Weekend came out with two covers which feature Maine in casual and in formal get-up. The first cover showing Maine clad in a black and denim ensemble was photographed by Shaira Luna.

The second cover shows Maine in a Mark Bumgarner gown hand-painted by Heart Evangelista.

The two covers are available only in the glossy edition of Style Weekend that is sold in select National Book Store outlets. The newsprint edition comes with Manila Bulletin for free every Friday. Digital editions may also be downloaded via the Manila Bulletin app or through subscription on their website.

Happy Anniversary and congratulations to Style Weekend Magazine and to Style Weekend’s EIC Liza Ilarde.

#StyleWeekendWomenWhoWow

PH bloggers form group, PBNet inducts 1st set of officers

Tweet

A group of Filipino Bloggers is setting up a formal organization with the induction of its officers and members on December 18.

Philippine Bloggers Network or PBNet (http://bloggers.net.ph/), is formed by a group of 15 online publishers, bloggers from travel, tech, lifestyle, business, entertainment, food and more. The PBNet aims to professionalize the blogging industry by conducting seminars and fora that are designed to help bloggers in taking online publishing to professional levels. 

Louis Casambre, Department of Science and Technology undersecretary and executive director of Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), inducted the officers and members of PBNet.

Louis Casambre, Department of Science and Technology undersecretary and executive director of Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO)

“2015 will be very special. It will be the first year of Philippine free wi-fi and hopefully TV whitespace, which have the power to bring what all of us have been enjoying for so long. With these two, next year is our chance to fix the digital divide in our country and provide Internet in unserved areas. We should all rally behind it for next yaer to make it work,” Casambre said in his keynote address as PBNet looks for a brighter year ahead.

Raffy Pedrajita, PBNet President

In his message during the officers’ induction, Pedrajita said, “As PBNet aims to develop and enhance the skills toward responsible blogging of its members, the organization will be gearing up to spearhead in educating Filipino bloggers on ideal manners and proper ethics in delivering digital publication.

“Being at the forefront of providing significant and credible information, PBNet will become the premier bloggers’ organization in the country,” Pedrajita said.

The induction of PBnet officers and members is also the group's Christmas Party held at the Sagabay Office, Liberty Center, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

Azrael Coladila, PBNet Director

Hosted by Azrael Coladilla,  open the event with a prayer and Marlon Magtira share the history of Philippine Bloggers Network through his opening remark.

Marlon Magtira, PBNet Director

PBnet 1st General Membership meeting last May 17, vOffice, Bonifacio Global City.

PBNet members have been forging activities since 2013. This year, during its first general membership meeting last May 17 held at its Official Headquarters at vOffice, Bonifacio Global City, the following were elected as officers:

Raffy Pedrajita (http://digitalspidey.com/), president;
Ian Irving Bacungan (http://theroguewriter.net/), vice president internal;
Ron Villagonzalo (http://wahpinas.com/), vice president external;
Rafael Pekson II (http://miniphilippines.cm/), secretary;
Arabelle Jimenez (http://arabellejimenez.com/), treasurer;
Marlon Magtira (http://techTV.ph/) and

Azrael Coladilla (http://azraelcoladilla.com/), directors.

Other members of the group include:
Enzo Luna (http://juanmanilaexpress.com)
GianCarlo Viterbo (http://gadgetpilipinas.net/)
Eli Villagonzalo (http://elifestylemanila.com)
Ted Claudio (http://wazzup.ph)
Irene Enriquez (http://girlygeek.ph)
Mary Anne Barbieto (http://buhaykuneho.net)
Edel Santiago (thekitchengoddess.blogspot.com)
and Myrna Roman (http://myrnaroman.com) and also known as Enjoying Wonderful World.

With their own respective niche followers as online publishers, PBNet members cover travel, food, lifestyle, technology, business, and entertainment industries.

Pedrajita, Magtira and Bacungan promote blogging insights in Bloggers’ Hour radio program every Friday, 11:00AM-12:00NN at DWDD 1134lHz Katropa Radio with live streaming over http://dwdd.com.ph/ .

Villagonzalo, Pekson, and Enriquez are advocating freelance and work at home employment and etreprenuership through a series of seminars.