STGCC 2009 postmortem

This has got to be the tardiest account of STGCC 2009. Well, what can you do?

Last August 14-16, the SIngapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention 2009 was held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was their second time to host such an event. The press releases claimed that they were the biggest and best pop-culture fest of toys, comics, gaming, and animation in Southeast Asia. Some even trumpeted the convention as the region’s one and only. While I do agree that the STGCC is the biggest and definitely the most-organized in this little corner of Asia, I would have to raise my hand in protest about their last sweeping statement. The Philippines has been hosting a number of toys and comic book conventions long before any of our other Southeast Asian neighbor. Ours may not be as well-publicized internationally or as organized or as well-supported by our government, but still, we were first. So there.

Upon entering the convention hall, I was greeted by the STGCC logo. The cute Rubik’s Cube wannabe character set on the familiar red background. It’s clean and sterile. And quite effective in promoting the event as a brand. We don’t have this sort of marketing. Or maybe we do, but I just don’t see it. All big pop-culture conventions such as WonderCon and San Diego Comic Con have familiar logos. Sa Pinas, we just put up posters with various characters and toy figures splattered everywhere. Ang gulo. Paging Filipino organizers, take a hint.