Manila Pop Culture Convention 2023 is coming to Ayala Malls Manila Bay from November 17 to 19 to celebrate all things fun and geeky! Here’s what to expect.

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One Piece star Mackenyu made headlines recently when he was announced as the headliner for ManiPopCon, or the Manila Pop Culture Convention 2023, an upcoming gathering and convention of geeks, gamers, and pop culture enthusiasts in Manila. At the convention, Mackenyu will have a solo panel, meet and greet, and special photo op and autograph sessions the weekend of November 17 to 19. Other special guests are also slated to attend the event, like actresses Diana Lee Inosanto and Mela Lee.

Tickets for Mackenyu’s special events are being sold here, but even if you don’t manage to score one, don’t worry—you can still catch a glimpse of him at the convention!

ManiPopCon promises all sorts of geeky fun. And the best part? Entrance is FREE! But there will be a ticketing system, so stay tuned to their website and social media accounts to secure your tickets. Special events and VIP experiences like Mackenyu’s meet and greet have separate ticket prices, which are a little pricey, but hopefully it’s worth it. If you’re wondering what else is in store for the convention, read on ahead.

THE RISE OF CONVENTIONS

As with any other events that involve social gatherings like concerts or even movies, conventions have reached new peaks after the worst of the pandemic ended. From Comic-Cons to Sticker Cons, people are gathering to shop, sell, play games, cosplay, bond, and just have fun with their fellow enthusiasts.

Of course, there’s much to learn with conventions’ growing popularity and the changing times. Tech and gaming convention CONQuest 2023 back in June “turned into a nightmare” after failed logistics, incredibly long lines and waiting times, and scams, among other issues. Social media was on fire after attendees and vendors alike voiced out their concerns with the event. After, the organizers apologized and refunded the tickets of those unable to enter the venue.

Moreover, there was a Manila Pop Culture Convention back in 2019, which unfortunately faced some criticism related to poor planning and logistics.

So, clearly it’s not enough to just want to bring people, games, media, vendors, and merchandise together under one roof to explore passions and niches. There’s a lot of expectations to be met, work to be done, and issues to be addressed. ManiPopCon seems to want to deliver a well-executed event, so here’s hoping this year’s convention will turn out better to allow all the artists, gamers, cosplayers, and geeks abound to have a grand time celebrating all things pop culture.

ALL THE GEEKY GOODNESS

ManiPopCon is said to be “a safe space to cosplay, meet other geeks, gather collectibles, play with opponents, and meet special celebrities within the geek community.” They promise Filipino movie classics, nostalgia and thrills, toys and collectibles, streaming stars, anime, comics, games and tournaments, and so much more.

There’s also sure to be booths that offer a wide array of merchandise, fanart, collectibles, and knick-knacks attendees can stock up on to show their love for their specific niches of geekhood. ManiPopCon recently opened up a call for exhibitors, which means people can promote their art or brand to a wide audience of convention-goers. There are three tiers of varying benefits and prices. Plus, there’s a lot more for them to announce, but the hype is real.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Besides vendors and merch and special guests, what else is happening? Well, let us tell you. There will be a music festival, After Dark Music Fest, on November 18 and 19, headlined by artists like Silent Sanctuary, Tanya Markova, One Click Straight, and more! Get tickets here.

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Not just that—ManiPopCon will also have something for the film buffs. They’re partnering with ABS-CBN’s Sagip Pelikula to screen restored Filipino film classics like LVN’s Ibong Adarna (1941) and Captain Barbell (1973).

Register for Manila Pop Culture Convention 2023 here and stay updated on their Facebook page, where they’re hosting some trivia games for the chance to score tickets for some of the movies they’ll be showing at the event!

Bookmark this page for more updates!

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There is an animated movie for everyone, and hopefully you find yours here!

Related: 8 Underrated Filipino Animated Movies and TV Shows That Deserve More Attention

Animation is a classic and versatile way to tell stories. From media by Disney to Dreamworks, Pixar to Ghibli, Laika to Rocketsheep, animation has evolved and diversified, ensuring at least one animated media makes it to people’s lists of favorites.

These movies below include cult classics, local productions, and less-popular works created with plenty of heart. Regardless of their commercial and critical status, these films are not The Incredibles or Shrek or even The Emperor’s New Groove. Yet, they are movies that are still deserving of a watch as they tackle and feature a diverse range of narratives, stories, tales, characters and more. Get that watchlist ready for these animated movies that you shouldn’t sleep on.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998)

This stunning animated film based on the story of Moses and the Book of Exodus is widely acclaimed, but it’s surprising how many people haven’t seen it. Released in 1998, the film’s animation, storyline, and gorgeous music hold up incredibly well over the decades.

TREASURE PLANET (2002)

Another cult classic, Treasure Planet is an inventive, anachronistic tale that puts a sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island. Following the journey of young Jim Hawkins and the suspicious crew of the RLS Legacy looking for the fabled planet on which space pirate Captain Flint hid his treasure, Treasure Planet is a fun, sweeping adventure wrapped in genius creative decisions.

THE IRON GIANT (1999)

The Iron Giant is a 1950s-set film about an alien Giant robot who crash-lands on Earth and is found by brave and intelligent 9-year-old Hogarth. Hogarth attempts to hide the Giant from the US government and eventually befriends the kind and curious robot. An emotional tale of self-determination and humanity, The Iron Giant cannot be watched without tissues nearby.

HAYOP KA! THE NIMFA DIMAANO STORY (2020)

Hayop Ka! takes classic Filipino teleserye tropes and brings them to life in an adult, animated, anthropomorphic way. This film, set in a Philippines where everyone is an animal, follows saleslady Nimfa Dimaano who grapples with her feelings for two men: her janitor boyfriend Roger, and rich entrepreneur Iñigo. Bold, mature, and comical, Hayop Ka! found success as the first locally-produced animated film to be distributed by Netflix.

MEET THE ROBINSONS (2007)

A childhood favorite, Meet the Robinsons follows genius inventor and orphan Lewis as he’s brought back in time by a teenager named Wilbur who asks him to fix a time machine. It’s a charming story of time travel, family, dreams, and the value of letting go of (and learning from) the past and moving forward to shape your own future.

SAVING SALLY (2016)

Saving Sally is a unique mix of live-action and animation, as well as romance, drama, and comedy. Marty, an amateur comic artist who sees the world in exaggerated comic pictures, is in love with his best friend Sally, a genius inventor with problems in her personal life and a boyfriend that Marty hates. Saving Sally is classic love story told in an extraordinary way.

ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE (2001)

We can bet you’ve seen more people in costumes inspired by the characters in this movie than people you know who actually watched it. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is based on the many stories of the sunken city, and follows linguist and cartographer Milo Thatch as he embarks on an expedition to find it. Joined by a ragtag crew, he meets Kida, princess of Atlantis who wants the city to regain its former glory.

WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (2014)

This magnificent fantasy drama piece is heart-wrenching, mildly perplexing, and beautiful in all the ways a Studio Ghibli film is. Anna, a young orphan girl, is sent by her foster parents to live in a rural town for the summer and finds a connection with a mysterious young girl named Marnie. In a tale about loneliness, forgiveness, and love through time, Anna discovers the truth about herself and her family.

DAYO: SA MUNDO NG ELEMENTALIA (2008)

One of the Philippines’ first all-digital animated full-length feature films, Dayo takes from our rich repertoire of folklore to tell the story of Bubuy, a young boy who embarks on a journey to the magical land of Elementalia to save his grandparents. He encounters creatures from Philippine legends such as a young manananggal who accompanies him on his journey, a tikbalang, and pair of tiyanak.

OCEAN WAVES (1993)

In slice-of-life Ocean Waves, the lives and relationship of best friends Taku and Yutaka changes when they meet a smart but seemingly troubled girl Rikako. Nostalgic, dramatic, and with an air of days-gone-by, this Studio Ghibli movie is about love, friendship, the past, and growing up.

THE ROAD TO EL DORADO (2000)

Conmen Miguel and Tulio try to find the legendary City of Gold and get tangled up in a slew of shenanigans in this adventure comedy. Imprisoned, mistaken for gods, discovered as con artists, among other things, the two friends end up reexamining their goals and relying on each other to try and find their place in El Dorado.

ANASTASIA (1997)

A fictionalized retelling of the legend of Anastasia Romanov, this animated fantasy-musical drama film is dazzling and magical. Anastasia boasts a formidable lead, charming performances, and emotional payoffs. Its story, relationships, and animation of glittering jewels and opulence stick to you, as well as a lingering curiosity about the fate of the real Anastasia.

URDUJA (2008)

Another of the early animated Filipino films, Urduja also draws on local legend. Our own tale of Princess Urduja of the Tawilisi tribe (based on local Pangasinan legend) chronicles the warrior-princess’s struggle with love and duty to her tribe. When she meets a charming Chinese pirate and falls in love, to the distaste of her chieftain father and betrothed fiancé, she must face the adversities that come her way.

MONSTER HOUSE (2006)

Perfect for Halloween or a random Thursday afternoon, Monster House is a comedic but also terrifying animated horror film. It’s about a creepy house across the street from 12-year-old DJ, owned by the irascible, elderly Horace Nebbercracker. DJ is on a mission to find out what’s truly going on in that house and finds himself in a lot more trouble than he expected.

I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS (2018)

The “falling in love with someone who’s dying” trope has been done to, well, death. But that doesn’t mean it no longer works. This Japanese coming-of-age drama about a boy who meets a girl with a terminal illness is equal parts beautiful and scarring as well as charming and heartbreaking.

Whether you want a good laugh or cry, a feel-good movie or an emotional drama, animation has got your back. Gone are the days where it’s construed as a form of comedic media for children, and the wide array of stories told through this art form proves exactly that.

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