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.
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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