Thousands of people flocked to SMX Convention Center for the SMART Powered bigger and better ToyCon 2016 this weekend. I have seen tons of change since the last time I went to the event because if you compare what happened this 2016 to the ones before that, it's just unbelievable. From the whole Pop Life and Fan Experience to the displays that lined up on the right side of the hall, this event has really gone international.
Smart was also there to give tons of prizes, plus free photos for those who posed on their booths during the three day Toy event. Aside from that, they also offered Smart's best deals for Postpaid and Prepaid packages during the Toy Convention.
I was there Friday during the small press conference and Saturday where they also unveiled the largest Voltes V robot this side of the world. It came from China and they shipped the whole thing piece by piece then assembled them Saturday. I saw parts of the process and they needed 50 people to actually do it. For safety reasons, they didn't remove the scaffolding anymore so if ever anything happens, they would keep the robot standing without any danger. My memories of watching Voltes V came crashing back to me, there were also tons of memorabilia sold on the floors which covered almost half the venue.
The Stan Lee display was also something to note of. It's the first time that they brought it outside of the US and it's so nice that the Philippines had that privilege. I love the memorabilia from the actual stars of Avengers and this huge Iron Man suit behind me. I could imagine driving this one for real but it probably won't fit me ha-ha! Anyway, there are also tons of magazines, toys and trading spots which was quite busy on that day. I documented the first day on video which includes the interview for HODOR, Superman Dean Cain and Young Boba Fett Daniel Logan. I also will be showing the organizers so you could get to know how all of these things happened!
Here's how I spend Day 2 where I followed Asian Superstar Mario Maurer after his interview. He shopped for toys, he also got a Krusty the Clown figure while he shopped that afternoon.
Thank you so much to SMART, the ToyCon 2016 organizers for having me cover your event. I've had so much fun and I hope this won't be the last time we'll be in ToyCon. The organizers mentioned that it would actually be even BIGGER next year and they've already got dates for it. Can't wait to see that come true! This was a BIG success!
I arrived in B Hotel in Rallos Street Quezon City late afternoon. I covered events from morning til 2PM then went back to this hotel for refuge. I've been a little under stress, tons of things to write, places to go to but so little time. I'm too tired, that I couldn't really write when I'm at home. So this was something that I needed to say the least, a little peace and quiet, a little home away from home. It's too close actually that I could walk here. It's also near the Tomas Morato district so in case I need to find shops, restaurants and other establishments, I could walk there too.
Checking in was easy. They didn't need to fuzz about anything because I brought proper identification. I also brought a few things with me since this is a working trip so they offered to bring my things upstairs, but I was on wheels so I didn't bother. After getting my key cards, I went up to my room and was quite surprised with it. I didn't know I'd have something this nice near my place, if I only knew I would have been doing this on a regular basis.
The Superior Room
I admit, it was a little bit weird to actually see the sink outside the bath room. With a little research, they've been doing this in the 60's and 70's as an upscale bathroom feature. That's when I figured that the design aesthetic wasn't really just purely "industrial" but more "vintage" too.
They've got ample amount of storage. The closet also has in room safe so you keep your valuables in tact. They provide the usual toiletries, more than enough towels plus shower gels and shampoo. They have a pool on the 5th Floor and they provide the beach towels if you want to swim. Just ask the friendly pool guy about things you need and they'll get it for you.
I was alone in the room and I like what they did to this toilet and bath. I can imagine doing business here (while really doing business on the phone) while watching TV. They also saved space by using one smoked glass door for the shower and since the sink wasn't there, it was roomy for a big guy like me.
The bed was firm, and I think they have optional 2 beds rather than a King sized one which I had in the room I love how I could roll around it and still remain safe when I sleep. Nobody got hurt ha-ha!
There's a flat screen TV, a small desk to work on with ample amount of lighting, the usual snack bar on the side and small accents on the wall.
You can roll up the blinds and see outside. Rallos Street is part of the residential area of Barangay Laging Handa so you're only going to see roofs of neighbors and other buildings in the Timog Avenue area. Timog is also one street away so if you're planning to go out you can definitely walk there.
The selection on the snack bar was quite extensive. I got a lot because I was a little too lazy to get up and buy things from convenience stores nearby. They also have drinks, beers, juices on the personal fridge.
I think they can fit around 4 people in this room, but I'd suggest to keep it for 2 so it would still be a bit roomy.
I've had looooong hot and cold showers in this place, so I could say it's really good. Aside from that, you could see the towel racks are fancy.
Here's a video of my room and some of the other rooms that they offer. The also have a grand ballroom, a lot of meeting rooms, the Mezzanine Bar, the Lobby Cafe. Enjoy this tour!
The Food
They serve mostly Filipino food but there are regular hotel staples here and there. I had dinner with my friends during the first day at The Lobby Cafe. We also had a couple of drinks before we called it a night. The buffet breakfast was super nice thanks to the "taho" moment I had which was really good. Plus they're launching a new steak restaurant named "Johnny's Steak House" which will open very soon! The rib eye kept me dreaming a few days after but I'm sure I'll be back in B Hotel very soon. In the mean time let's enjoy these dishes!
These are just some of the nicest cakes I've had in the area. This is available at the cafe of B Hotel. I bet I could work here on off days, they also have really good very popular Ensaymada so make sure you order some if you're in the area. I took some home and had to try so hard to save some for other days. I had three in one sitting, no joke. They also have iced or hot coffee, barely into the day I had to have one because it's so good with the Ensaymada.
Top left is the Beef in Black Pepper Sauce, on the right is Chicken Jus (a fancy name for Chicken with Red Wine Sauce) plus on the bottom we had Pinakbet with tons of BAGNET (I had to put two photos to emphasize it). If you think the photos are not much, I put everything I ate on video so you get to feel how it was to dine and enjoy what it's like. This doesn't even do justice.
I did have my moments of weakness and failed a lot in the diet department, but I was here to enjoy, I was here to relax and not relish on sad moments. I was there to work too and in one day was able to finish a lot of articles. I was seeing a lot of people committed to this business and they're doing their job with passion. I even saw brides and grooms themselves come up to the counter and easily tell them what they need. Heck I saw 5 weddings in a day, does that even tell you how nice the hotel is?
It's in the heart of Quezon City where everything is happening. It's affordable, way fancy for what it's worth and they even got more things coming up. I had a nice stay, did my errands, got so full during breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel is vibrant, all the people I met seem they were doing what they loved. The rooms are huge, even if they're inside a residential area where space is limited they didn't make that an issue. The pool was an awesome retreat too, plus there was a salon on the same floor that would get you pampered if you need to. I loved what I saw in B Hotel and I'm sure I'll be back there some day. They're the same people who build Bellevue Hotels and Resorts and this one accommodates the mid range market, but it felt like it's way more than that. I'm sure you'll be lovin it when you get to stay at B Hotel. I know I did.
I've met Direk Gino Santos in person during the AXE event a few months ago. I then figured out about the hype on why this director is being hounded by the press. Not only is he a good director, but he's actually a good looking chap. I could have mistaken him to be an artist than a director, but that's not why we're here in the blogcon for his movie.
Love Me Tomorrow is now being shown in cinemas outside the country. It'll be in Singapore and Malaysia on June 19. Fans of Dawn Zulueta, Coleen Garcia and Piolo Pascual are still hounding theaters because this story talks about the different generations, one that asks if it's actually possible to be in love with someone older. Direk Gino lauds the whole cast, also Ms. Dawn Zulueta who he was just able to work with for the first time in this movie. He says "She's really different, you should watch the silent EDM scene where she danced freely, that was something that just happened and it was magical!"
Here's our interview with Direk Gino on Video:
Love Me Tomorrow is still showing on cinemas nationwide. Try to watch it with your friends, I'm sure they would be able to relate with the story. Especially those of the Titas of Manila kind, and the millenials. You'll feel they're all human too and these relationships don't need age to define them.
Last night was awesome! I was one of the few people who had the chance to watch the send off concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. I only expected the best and I got that from them, and this is going to be just a taste of what they'll be doing once they step on stage at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City. It's the place where the world's best performers actually go to and they're nothing but just spectacular if there's a word for it.
This is some sort of Maestro Olivier Ochanine's swan song as he's leaving the company after years of holding the baton but by the looks of it he's really not holding back. Diomedez Saraza Jr., world acclaimed violinist will also be there to perform with the orchestra and a couple more solos to the delight of the crowd. His favorites include a really good upbeat music called CAVATINA by Nicanor Abelardo which you should watch out for.
Aside from that, they'll be doing a few runs on classics, mostly of Italian origin, then a couple medleys and arrangements done by no less than Ryan Cayabyab to pay homage to Philippine music. I'm sure those who miss it will cry a bit, I know I did.
Thanks to PLDT, the MVP Group, PLDT Smart Foundation, Smart Infinity for making this all possible. Without their help, the logistics of bringing these musicians, their armaments (yes some of them need their own seats too) wouldn't be able to reach New York so they could do us, and our country proud! I hope this isn't the last time we would be able to take our world class Filipinos to world class stages outside he country!
Congratulations Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra! Thank you also to Smart Infinity for hooking us up!
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