Comic-Con Asia | Not The First in Asia?

09.15.2017 – In the Philippines, everyone thinks they’re ‘The First’ disregarding the history of the previous ones who came before them. It’s not also surprising that another ‘Comic-Con’ in Asia has a press media-exclusive event last night. Though they say ‘the more, the merrier’ is good for the Philippine Popular Convention scene adding another major event in Asia is a good thing, but the concept and content is the same doesn’t mean you’re ‘The First’ in Asia as what has been reported regarding this new ‘Comic Convention.’

Dubbed ‘Comic-Con Asia’ introduced at press night as ‘The First’ event in Asia with all due respect to the organizers with their latest endeavour they must have been ten years too late to call themselves ‘First in Asia’ as that moniker has been under STGCC (Singapore Toy, Game, and Comic Convention).

But then again if you say the ‘Very First International Comic-Con in the Philippines’ they should make their research that APCC (Asia Pop Comic-Con) has been around since 2015. Not only did this announcement draw controversial reactions regarding their claim to fame Gerry Alanguilan, the InkPot Nominated creator of the beloved ‘Elmer’ was not present for personal reasons.

With Manny Pacquiao actively involved in Comic-Con Asia 2018, I will no longer be participating in it.

— Gerry Alanguilan (@komikero) September 13, 2017

You bet your pink plucked flabby scabby ass I'm not having it.

— Gerry Alanguilan (@komikero) September 15, 2017

Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao was also present during the event introducing him as the face of this ‘Comic-Con Asia’ that will be opening its doors in March 2018. The controversial boxer turned politician will be there to cut the ribbon for its inaugural event that has pale in comparison to the two previous international conventions that was mentioned.

Again, not to take away from this new event regarding what they’re trying to bring to the Philippine convention scene. But they should come up with more original content to differentiate them from the previous existing Pop Culture Comic Conventions as people who have been around to see these events are not ignorant to the same old concept that is quickly getting too redundant.



Ten years ago there’s no such thing in Asia until STGCC opened its doors, but for the average Filipinos that couldn’t travel to Singapore and spend their hard-earned Philippine pesos APCC came in just in time with the rise of the pop culture convention scene. It’s great to see a third international convention opening its doors for 2018, but they’re not the first and it's good that Filipino artistry is given another exposure. It’s not good though that marketing itself as ‘The First’ in Asia has stirred controversy within the pop culture scene in the country.

If given the advice they should re-think about their image as the video promotion appears to have taken all the concepts and content from those two various conventions and slapped it together in a press video that seemed rushed.

They could have focused solely on their strengths like the anime style inspirations coupled with gaming they could have their own niche with Anime and Video related Convention – No wait! There’s already one in South Australia named AVCON, but not yet in the Philippines if they just know where to actually look.