Many new players have emerged in the local pop culture convention scene in the last few years. My eyeballs would secretly roll whenever I felt an event organizer was overpromising, in over their head, or seriously doubting their ability to deliver the headliner.
But when Whilce Portacio tells you at SDCC that he’ll be visiting the Philippines to participate in something “Sandy” (Sansolis — of Comic Odyssey) was putting together, you pay attention.
I hovered around the first SuperManila at Podium in 2019. I missed the second one because driving to Circuit Makati and finding parking during the payday weekend before Christmas would not make me a pleasant attendee.
There was no Whilce this year, but I did finally make it to SuperManila 2024. They held it at One Ayala’s The Space, and luckily, the rains let up that weekend.
The first person I saw was the commercial director, YouTube “premake” trailer creator, and Lego set designer Ivan Guerrero, who was sitting at the Lego booth near the entrance with one of his newer creations, the Lego Family Tree. People usually have him sign the Sesame Street set he successfully pitched for Lego Ideas in 2019.
Nearby, all seats were taken at the Warhammer space. Toys from Funko, McFarlane, etc., were on display. A Gunpla panel was in session on the main stage. Curious onlookers passed by Disney+’s Halloweeny “Agatha All Along” setup, and guests and artists were chatting with attendees. All of this was contained in one manageable, thoughtfully laid out hall, with an outside space for additional displays, lines and food vendors.
People went to SuperManila to get access to new toy releases like the limited edition glitter Jollibee Funko pop, pick up special editions of comics like the Transformers 40th-anniversary issue with the jeepney autobot cover, meet creators like Bob Layton and Mike Zeck and discuss Secret Wars, Spider-Man or Iron Man with them, get something signed by ArtGerm or check out the programming.
The jeepney autobot cover was illustrated by Von Randal, one of three Filipino illustrators joining Marvel Comics, as announced by guest and return visitor to the Philippines, C.B. Cebulski. Tuesday after the con, lucky fans actually got to have lunch and get geeky with C.B. at Lore in BGC.
The panels I caught started and ended on time. I personally loved watching “visionary creator” (as Marvel likes to call her) Peach Momoko, who is currently working on Ultimate X-Men, draw and color the character Magik live while taking questions from the audience. Her husband and manager, Yo, interpreted the audience’s questions and her answers. I learned she misses her dachshund Momo when she’s away and likes watching true crime documentaries. Her exquisite art wonderfully reflects her penchant for the cute and the creepy. She reimagines famous American heroes in her signature Japanese style using pencils, pens and watercolors.
Jiggy Cruz of Next Comic Art, who has been bringing our local names like Von, Manix Abrera and Harvey Tolibao to San Diego Comic Con, not only moderated “Into the Momokoverse” but was also a part of this year’s organizing team.
It felt like this show didn’t need to be the biggest or loudest convention in our current mix, but it was organized and well put together. Guerrero, who is also part of the SuperManila team, said, “Since we didn’t have a huge space to work with, we had to curate a list of attractions, exhibitors and guest artists that would give the event a larger-than-life feel. We tried to select ‘ambassadors’ that would represent the different geek worlds of comics, collectibles, miniatures, gaming, animation, film and more.”
The careful curation and coordination with international guests satisfied connoisseurs and collectors. The organizers have been getting positive and constructive feedback as well as “wishlists” from fans as to which artists and celebrities they want to see at the next event.
The next SuperManila is in the works. Guerrero adds, “We’re hoping SuperManila will find its own unique place as a homegrown international comic con based in the Philippines.”
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