Day 1 at the TOYCON NEXUS x POPLIFE Festival 2026

👁 24 views

It’s TOYCON season once again, folks! We’ve been religiously attending ToyCon since 2016 and this year is the first time we’re going on Day 1. I always have work on weekdays so it’s tough to take some time off especially since I used up most of my leaves earlier this year for a family emergency. Anyway, I’m just glad June 12 was a public holiday. Happy Independence Day to us? Coincidentally, it’s also the 19th anniversary of me and the Waifu as a couple, so it’s definitely a great day!

For toy enthusiasts like me, TOYCON PH is a major event. This is where fans come together to celebrate our shared passion for collecting. What started as a simple toy convention has evolved into something bigger. Today, you’ll find artists, cosplayers, musicians and other creatives showcasing their talents and work reflecting the community’s growth. It really is a festival and I think every collector should experience it at least once.

One of the things I look forward to at the con is the TOYCON Gallery which features the prized collections of local collectors. If you’re addicted plastic crack, then make sure to check it out. The gallery features a diverse selection of toys from various local toy groups including action figures, mechs, dolls, statues and more.

Recently, I’ve been finding myself eyeing art toys being showcased at the Artist Alley. My interest in designer toys has gown ever since I started going into 3D printing. The build process taught me how to admire the skill and creativity of the featured artists. Fortunately enough, I’m not hooked yet so my wallet is safe.

TOYCON wouldn’t be complete without merch, so here are some snapshots of what you can expect at the selling grounds. This is just a small preview. There’s a ton of stuff to discover if you’re on a toy hunt. Just be sure to bring extra cash if you’re planning to shop.

One of the highlights for my Day 1 experience was meeting some of the folks I admire in the local scene. For instance, I finally met Sir Jed Madela who just launched his V-Boy line. Check out his booth, V-Boy’s Attic at Hall 4. I also caught up with our good friend, Kuya Az Coladilla of Azrael’s Merryland Blog, someone who the Waifu and I both admire when it comes to blogging, content creation ang remarkable longevity. Sobrang sipag nito, folks!

Lastly, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet 3 out of 6 of the Koolpals crew. The Koolpals is one of my favorite podcasts and I proudly consider myself a Kabobo. I originally planned to watch June 7 recording but couldn’t secure a slot. I was really disappointed when I found out the special guest that day was Michael V. Little did I know, I would get briefly meet GB Labrador, James Caraan and Roger Naldo at TOYCON. I even got to take pictures with them. Watching a live recording Koolpals show is still on my bucket list and I hope to check it off soon. And that is beautiful… haha

Let me share some thoughts on a growing sentiment among veteran collectors about the current state of TOYCON PH. Many feel that TOYCON PH has lost its spark and attending no longer feels worthwhile. Here are some key points I’ve gathered from Facebook comments:

Going to the event is costly. The entrance fee is expensive. If you’re driving, you have to cover gas and parking fees. If you’re using public transport or ride-hailing services, costs apply as well and you’ll need to complete with other commuters. You also have to have a budget for food
Navigating through the dense crowd is frustrating and exhausting
The toy hunt experience at TOYCON has change. Many of the same items are now available at collectible shops in Greenhills, Glorietta and other locations. You can simply visit these stores without worrying about entrance fees or large crowds. Even better, you can conveniently order your collectibles online through shopping platforms
The event feels overly commercialized

As a 40 year old who juggles a family of 6 and an expensive hobby in today’s challenging economy, I genuinely understand where this perspective is coming from. We’ve been going to TOYCON since 2016 and I’ve experienced my own bouts of TOYCON fatigue. I believe the disconnect isn’t with the event itself but stems from the convenience of being able to pre-order collectibles anytime throughout the year. Because of this, my excitement for what I might find at TOYCON has sometimes diminished. I feel the same way about visiting local toy stores. I think it’s because I’m already getting my fix elsewhere making it seem likely the have nothing new or interesting to offer. I think these feeling are completely valid. Sometimes, we simply outgrow the things we once loved.

The question remains: “Worth it pa ba to?” in true Roger Naldo style. Haha But seriously, is TOYCON still worth attending? As a 40 year old juggling a family of 6 and an expensive hobby in today’s challenging economy, I say yes. For our family, going to TOYCON every year has become a tradition especially for our kids who love cosplay. It’s one of the few places where we unleash them so they can fully express their creativity. We’re also exposing them to the culture and vibe hoping it inspires them to pursue something meaningful and make something creative on their own. I believe TOYCON has always been designed a younger crowd with the energy and time to fully enjoy everything the event offers.

This event is especially valuable for collectors new to the hobby as TOYCON offers the ideal setting to grow your network and join the community. It’s the perfect place to connect with sellers, artists and fellow collectors. From my experience, the hobby is most rewarding when shared with like-minded enthusiasts.

To the collectors who have witnessed TOYCON’s journey from its early days to its current mainstream status and feel the event no longer suits them, I completely understand and share your sentiments. It’s natural to move on and prioritize what matters most to us personally and that’s perfectly okay. However, I believe TOYCON remains one of the few major local events that offers an experience closely comparable to SDCC or NYCC. It must be challenging for the organizers to reduce the entrance fee since they need to offer a diverse range of entertainment options. TOYCON now attracts more than just the toy community and keeping it exclusive and small might go against what TOYCON initially set out to do which is to build a community. That said, for the OG collectors to continue to attend and enjoy TOYCON, it’s the camaraderie with longtime friends and fellow collectors that truly makes the experience worthwhile and their presence and continued support solidifies TOYCON’s identity and credibility.

To wrap this entry, I’d like to share my hauls from TOYCON. Technically, they’re not exactly hauls as they are actually pre-orders from my go-to shop, Dragon’s Chest. I picked them up at their booth yesterday. Be sure to check them out because they’re well stocked for the event.