The Energon Pub

Official Cybercon 2007 Coverage

As with any filipino transformers fan, the though of having our very own TF convention was just a dream, until Cybertron Philippines decided to take on that challenge. I guess the dream has come to a reality, and we are proud to have hosted the Transformers Cybercon 2007 at the Shangri La Mall fountain area last June 23-24, 2007.

[Day 1]





As the gates of Cybercon open at 11AM, you could see the crowd going in different directions. It was indeed a sight to see since there was something in it for everyone, may it be a transformer collector, art enthusiast, car lover, or the book person. Transformers is pretty much everywhere, and it was only the beginning.






Alec Palomo (BlackBison) and Eric Cruz (ThunderBreak) kicked off the show with a backgrounder on the event. What is Cybercon anyway, asks Eric, who quickly tags it as the very first Transformers-centric event here in the Philippnes. Another first brought to us by the Biggest Filipino Transformers Community, Cybertron Philippines, our partners and sponsors. It is the culmination of everything that the group has prepared for, and before the movie hits the theaters a few days after the con, enough awareness of these robots from the planet Cybertron has been established.



Solar-United International Pictures went all out as one of the major sponsors of this event. Upon entering, everyone who wishes to have themselves branded an autobot or decepticon can approach solar's insignia painting booth. Next to it are two flat screen TVs showing trailers from the movie, and a countdown to the release of the movie on the 28th. Anticipation for The Transformers Movie is definitely building up for the visitors of the convention. Not to mention pre-ticket selling for those who want to secure the best seats courtesy of another sponsor, Shangri La Mall. Exclusive button pins were given to those who purchased the June 28 movie ticket, plus the assurance of getting to watch the best movie this June.




The Hero TV and Growee tandem provides memories in the form of printed pictures with the 8-foot Optimus Prime and a special picture holder. Definitely something to remember the first Filipino TF convention with.





More on-ground fun for everyone as cosplayers dressed up as our favorite Robots in Disguise showed up during the event to add more to the Transformers feel. Crowd favorites Optimus Prime and Devastator even squared off but were interrupted by fans who can't wait to have their pictures taken. Of course, Elita-1, Shockwave, Rumble, Frenzy, Brawn and Bumblebee weren't too far behind. Say Cybertron!









Selling booths from Kidz Station, Power Books and the Cinebar provided the transformers toys, books and even an exclusive popcorn holder for the collector in all of us.

Of course, that's just a taste of what happened during day 1 of Cybercon 2007. On to part 2 for the other sections of the convention that only Cybertron Philippines can offer.

Part 2 of our Transformers Cybercon Coverage commences as we pick up from where our Robot-clad friends from Cosplay PH as well as CybPH's very own award winning cosplayers Brawn and Bumblebee left off. Now we go the display area where 20 large cabinets filled with toys and other collectibles are housed for everyone's viewing pleasure. What a sight to see.

A more expounded Timelines display has been concocted by the members of Cybertron Philippines to fill up 14 cabinets to their full. From the Diaclones to an elaborate Generation 1, a jungle diorama for Beast Wars and Beast Machines, RID, The Unicron Trilogy, and of course the Movie based toys, every fan of every series was more than contented with what they saw. Binaltechs, Alternators, Masterpieces, Classics and other collectibles provided the tail-end of the cabinets with much flare, while busts, statues, convention exclusives including a prop replica of the Matrix of Leadership added more class. Definitely the biggest display that CybPh has done. But that's just 14 cabinets...










To accompany dislay, a small write-up on each Transformers Series has been summarized along with the leading protagonist and antagonist of that series. A time line from the Generation 1 series up to the movie will give everyone enough knowledge about how the battle between good and evil progressed since the first Generation 1 series in 1984.






A tribute to one of the best Filipino talents was a must in the first ever Transformers Cybercon held in Shangri La. And who else fits the bill better than IDW penciller Don Allan Figueroa. Exclusive interviews as well as a compilation of comic book covers that he made gave the viewers a piece of his talent. A cabinet filled with his work, comic books he penciled, and the toys that were inspired from his designs were placed near the tribute corner. Definitely fit for a Don.






Since the start of the year, CybPh has resurrected our Character of the Month feature to focus on the characters that will come out in the movie. Bumblebee, Starscream and Jazz were the favorites, but of course, Ironhide, Scorponok, Barricade and Ratchet were given ample exposure so fans would have no trouble recognizing these characters on when the movie gets shown here. For the month of June, we allowed Optimus Prime and Megatron to take center stage with an elaborate display of toys as well as write-ups from our talented Writer's Bloc.





The last three display cabinets were occupied by our friends from the Die Cast Car Collectors of the Philippines, who gave the event, among other things, an elaborate Hummer display as a tribute to Ratchet who is a hummer in the movie.





Another exclusive interview scored by CybPh comes from IDW Publishing's very own Chris Ryall. This is our second interview with him, and as always, spoilers about new titles, and even the movie came out during this interview. A must read.



Last Part of the Day 1 coverage is in the works. Stay tuned

Come 1PM of day 1, everyone gathered around the stage area for some fun and games provided by the guys from Cybertron Philippines. Prizes courtesy of our sponsors Solar-UIP, Shangri La Mall, Growee, KidzStation and Powerbooks livened up the event for everyone. Transformers posters, transforming pens, toys, gift certificates, growee and powerbooks giftpacks were enough to populate the fountain area with rabid Transformers fans.

Transforming contests, stop-dance competitions, trivia games, transformers matching games and growee theme song rendition contests ran for four hours during the event, along with the occasional Bring Me that kept everyone on their toes.









With emcees Alec Palomo (BlackBison), Eric Cruz (ThunderBreak), JP Landingin (GaoJP) and Mike Estipona (LastMaximal) giving a new name to the word on stage entertainment, and a killer program to boot, what more can anyone ask for, except probably a few celebrities dropping by.



Emcee Dash made a surprise visit to the event and even did a bit of Transformerish rap and scat for the audience to enjoy. Good stuff. Especially since visitors got samples of their music, with anticipation of their upcoming album.




The last two for the day were GMA 7's promising child actors BJ and Ella who are also Transformers Fans.


With Day 1 at a close, one can only imagine the happiness and enthusiasm that the CybPh team has brought together with our sponsors, Solar-UIP, Shangri La Mall, Growee, Hero TV, Listening and Style, Centrex, Power Books, the Cinebar and Kidz Station. Thanks to everyone who joined in the festivities.

Day 2 coverage is on it's way.

As promised, second day coverage of the first ever Transformers-centric convention here in the Philippines.

Apart form the usual happenings during Day 1 like our massive 20 cabinet display and our awesome on-ground activities, poster sessions and stage activities, Emcees Blackbison (Alec Palomo) and LastMaximal (Mike Estipona) rally through the program with style.



Another celebrity in the form of Suzi Entrata of Unang Hirit graced the Cybercon and was happy to talk about the Transformers Movie with our hosts. Suzi was able to watch the press screening of the movie in Korea and was so ecstatic while describing her experience, although she was really careful not to spill out lots of details for the attendees of the con. She also got to talk about her interview with Michael Bay, and we couldn't help but feel the temperature go up when we chatted about Megan Fox.






Here's LastMaximal (Mike Estipona) showing the kids how to transform the Strongarm toy for the transforming contest.



And some more activities and on ground fun, chop-suey style.










Here's Thunderbreak (Eric Cruz) showing us how he enjoys suiting up as Shockwave. Man, he loves that laser appendage.



And here's Fero McPigletron (Ben Bartolome) as Brawn who gets a hold of a lightsaber. Paging George Lucas and Michael Bay, we have a potential crossover here...




The last battle between the autobots and the decepticons takes place here at Cybercon. Who will win? Let's wait for it on the 28th on June when the regular showing of The Transformers Movie takes place here in the Philippines.



Another successful event courtesy of the hardworking people from Cybertron Philippines. Of course, we couldn't have done it without the help of our sponsors, Shangri La Mall, Solar-UIP, Power Books, Kidz Station, The Cinebar, Growee, HeroTV, Listening Style and Centrex.

Shout outs also go to our friends from Cosplay Ph, DCPH and NWA for the support. It has been always great working with you guys.



Thanks to those who came and joined us on another first brought to you by Cybertron Philippines. See you at the movies, and a couple more events to commemorate the year of the Transformers.