ComicCon Asia where the best of comics, movies, series, manga, anime, toys, gaming, and cosplay all come together happened last March 24-25 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The event is produced by PSL Entertainment and Nam Entertainment Group, and is supported by Manny Pacquiao as the Philippines’ tourism ambassador. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit Filipino men and women in uniform.

PSL Entertainment is an event management company committed to developing home- grown content and talents, and delivering premier entertainment experience to a global audience. It has introduced Miss Global to the Philippine audience and is a key mover within the Miss Global worldwide organization.

Nam Entertainment Group is a full-service media company developing content for the global audience, including reality television shows, international event productions, music festivals, and trade shows. It has offices in the United States, Canada, and Vietnam and is currently developing the television series The Bachelor for the Asian market.

It has been a month already and yet some people are still talking about ComicCon Asia. It can be on the guests, how they handled the event, the publicized cancellation of Stan Lee and Hayley Atwell and many how the community, each congoer has reacted to this new event that came in.

The hits and miss of the event

A lot has happened for this event like from rumors to questionable actions and major guests pulling out due to health or working schedule became a hindrance, despite all the negativity they have been getting for the past months before this event actually happen, they still push it through.

This event was a 2 day event plus it’s their first one in the country. It was a rough start for them, on the 1^st day of the event, people are in que on claiming their badges which took for about three to four hours just so they can enter the event premises. There was no line for senior citizens or family with babies or people with disabilities. Despite having a good set-up, some of the booths are not occupied.

There was a huge space that was for anime and manga section, however it turned out to be a place where people could stay and relax for the meantime. The event gave a map however it was changed on the last minute so it was confusing to go around to. The event stage was in the middle but limited on seats around it.

A press conference happened on the same day at 4:30pm. It was moderated by Ms. Dianna Menezes and Ms. Pauline Lapping was present to answer a few questions with regards to the pullout of some major guests. The press met with Walter Jones, Dacre Montgomery, Holland Roden, and Overwatch voice actors Feodor Chin, Anjali Bhimani, Carolina Ravassa, and Jen Cohn.

However at the second day, the organizers did a few changes to accommodate the long que lines. Specific lines are provided at once and seats where given as well while waiting. Assistance was given to those needed. There was improvement.

Conclusion

The organizers have a lot of things to improve on with regards to this event if ever they are planning a second one next year. (Who knows they might be a second one)

Despite all the negativity they have gotten, the event was fun to say the least. Stan Lee and Hayley Atwell may have canceled out on the event but it didn’t stop some people to still go because they are after for the meet and greet session, the workshop, contests and signings of the guests.

There is always a first on everything and surely CCA has learn a lot from this. They have stepped up the game for other events that is happening this year. Surely regular comic and cosplay events have to step up since CCA set the level a bit higher. Now, let’s see what they have to offer this year.