Toycon PH 2025 celebrates pop culture at its biggest edition yet

Toycon PH 2025 celebrates pop culture at its biggest edition yet

PASAY CITY – Thousands of fans packed the SMX Convention Center as Toycon PH 2025, the Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention, marked its 22nd anniversary with the largest edition in its history last June 13-15.

Dubbed as “Celebration,” this year’s Toycon saw over 400 exhibitors and vendors, making it the biggest dealer floor yet. From action figures and model kits to trading card games, cosplay showcases, and classic video game tournaments, the three-day event transformed SMX into a paradise for hobbyists, creatives, and geeks of all ages.

More than just toys

Beyond collectibles, Toycon PH 2025 embraced the full spectrum of fandom. Cosplayers roamed the halls in full armor and glitter, tabletop players clashed in TCG battles, and artists from around the country showcased prints, crafts, and original designs at a massively expanded Artist Alley with over 100 booths.

Classic esports nostalgia also took center stage as Republic of Gamers revived legendary titles from the 90s and early 2000s. Fans witnessed teams go head-to-head in StarCraft, Counter-Strike 1.3, and Defense of the Ancients: Frozen Throne (DotA 1)—titles that once ruled the Philippine internet cafés.

Star-studded performances and reunions

International pop culture took the spotlight with performances from Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. The entertainment lineup featured Starmarie, Miura Ayme with Miko, Pastel Mix, Saya, Wanmini, Ziga, Shane Shen, Beverly, and P-pop group KAIA, who performed some of their biggest hits to the delight of fans.

Also gracing the Toycon stage were **Ryota Ozawa** and **Yui Koike**, known to tokusatsu fans as **Gokai Red** and **Gokai Pink** from *Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger*.

Three iconic Japanese voice actors thrilled anime fans:

Miyuki Ueda, the voice of Jamie Robinson in Voltes V
Rica Matsumoto, known as Ash/Satoshi in Pokémon and Gon Freecs in Hunter x Hunter
Yuriko Yamaguchi, the voice of Nico Robin from One Piece

Filipino talents shone just as brightly. The Tagalog voice cast of One Piece reunited on stage, bringing a wave of nostalgia to local fans and highlighting the legacy of Filipino voice acting in anime broadcasting.

Cast of the upcoming biopic QUEZON also made an appearance, led by Jericho Rosales, playing the role of former Philippine president Manuel Quezon.

Celebrating creativity and community

Toycon PH 2025 also stood as a celebration of local creative culture. Attendees explored original works from **independent toy designers**, **comic artists**, and **small press creators**, all thriving in the bustling **Artist Alley**—a space that continues to grow alongside the Filipino pop culture movement.

From die-hard collectors to first-time attendees, the convention delivered an immersive experience that honored the past, showcased the present, and sparked excitement for the future of Philippine pop culture conventions.

With Toycon PH reaching new heights in size, scope, and fandom, one thing is certain: the celebration has only just begun.