ToyCon: ‘It’s not a toy mom, it’s a collector’s item’

Philippines’ ToyCon exhibition brings together people of varying interests.


Hani Taha June 21, 2011

MANILA:


Toys — just the mere mention of the word lightens up one’s face as one reminisces excitedly about one’s childhood. Now imagine a whole floor dedicated to toys. For the child hidden in all of us, the thought evokes visions of a paradise of innocence, fun and play-acting, and that is exactly what has been pulling over 20,000 visitors each year to the Philippines ToyCon exhibits — arguably the largest toy exhibition in all of Asia. This year, the exhibition was held from June 18 to June 19.


The hallways of the SM Mega Mall were flooded with people of all ages dressed in costumes of their favourite characters. Dark and macabre; fun and flirty; comic-book and film-inspired, each character was a unique representation of how pop culture transcends into real life.

Man Paredes, a young aspiring writer, created an original superhero: The emerald swords woman — the costumes which took just over three weeks to design. “I’m trying to create my own story through this character,” said the 19-year-old, adding that the ToyCon gives a whole new perspective on life, fiction and reality. “It’s a great way to meet people who share your passion and make new friends.”

Costume is certainly not restricted to Paredes’ age group as even 29-year-old Christian, who is currently unemployed, spent around 10,000 pesos on his Ironman costume that took two months to make. For someone as mature as Christian, one wonders if this project is an escape from his current joblessness and its associated sordid realities.

“This is not an escape,” decries Christian. “It’s a hobby and a way to relieve stress.” The immense effort and creativity that went into making these costumes are a clear testimony to the fact that they’re more than just some de-stress mechanism. This is a passion born simply from the love of the craft.

Multipurpose event

The exhibition is an ambitious undertaking of collectors’ items, toys, statues, sculptures of celebrities and even four original costumes from the Harry Potter movie! The exhibition brought together people with varying interests. On one side, a Chinese film crew shot a film, in a bid to capture all those involved in costume play, while the trade halls gave a chance to people like Jay Sia who sculpt, commission and produce collector’s statues for export purposes. Meanwhile, a discussion panel sat in the centre of the halls, holding debating sessions, sharing stories of their toys collections — that were as diverse as dolls and military toys to Marvel comic heroes and board games.

The event also provided a platform for senior citizen Lenoardo M Yu, a former academic, to launch his own board game, Challenge 21, which combines six playing principles from popular family games like tic-tac-toe, chess, bingo, scrabble and basketball (with penalties). “I wanted to help develop people’s mind, hone their mental faculties,” said Yu, who also has three other games ready in the pipeline.

Meanwhile for the popular designer Manolito Paul Garcia, his dolls also serve as mini mannequins for his work. Garcia is especially inspired by the superhero Wonder Woman but adores Barbie the most. “She’s trendy, fashionable, has a family, a boyfriend, her own home,” said Garcia.

Therefore, what the ToyCon exhibition proved was the resonance something as seemingly puerile like a toy, can have in people’s lives. Of course, their influence in popular culture and its spill over effect in movies (the season’s eagerly anticipated Green Lantern is a potent example) cannot be denied, but toys have always held an ephemeral value.

As child, the toy holds the value of a playmate. As an adult, it can be a means of seeking solace, a collector’s item or venture of business and trade.



Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2011.

COMMENTS (6)

Cedric Santos | 12 years ago | Reply Thanks I'm proud to be a collector. PTK's very own motto " it's not a toy mom, it's a collectible! "
Aldrich Gutierrez | 12 years ago | Reply WOAH THATS ME :)))
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