Adopting an unwanted and damaged Bearbrick figure

Nowadays most toy shops in and around the metro are now selling loose items or pre-owned toy items as well. And for a bargain toy hunter like me, this is indeed quite favorable on my part since most of the items from my collection consists of toys that I got as loose items. I'm not that particular when it comes to these loose toy items since for one I am just a random toy collector and for as long as I get my money's worth on the item that I'm buying, then everything's cool with me. It was during one of those rare visits to these chain of toy shops when I accidentally discovered this Bearbrick figure lying in a pile of other toys being sold at relatively affordable prices. It was priced at Php 99 (roughly around $2.00 something) but when I examined it closely, it looks like that the Bearbrick figure was a factory reject, or I even thought that it might have been accidentally damaged so the previous owner decided to sell it off since nobody wanted to put on display a damaged toy figurine, right? I guess there were two or three more damaged Bearbrick figures in that pile and since I have already made previous toy purchases that day, I decided to get this one first and hopefully come back for the rest when I return.

The slightly damaged Bearbrick toy figure

It took me around almost three weeks before I went back there to buy the remaining Bearbrick figs, and sadly my hunches were right all along and as I looked into the plastic container where I found them, they were not there anymore... though I was thinking that at least somebody might have bought them and now they have a new home where the new owners can enjoy the Bearbricks as part of their toy collection. The overall condition of this Bearbrick is quite good except for the chipped paint details on the right ear and face. A mint condition/brand new Bearbrick figure same to this is selling at shops for less than Php 300 (less than $7.00), but in any case I'm glad that I was able to get this one since I never had a Bearbrick figure in my collection and honestly I would never spend an insanely huge amount of money just to buy the vinyl or diecast versions of the Bearbrick and though this may be a bootleg/replica of the real deal... as I always say, "Who cares? As long as I get my money's worth on the item, we're cool."

10th Philippine Toy Convention 2011: Mission Accomplished!

My mission to attend my very first ToyCon event has been accomplished! It was truly an experience and somehow I have managed to make it through a mad crowd of enthusiastic toy collectors and cosplay lovers who came in droves and filled the entire three Megatrade Halls at the 5th Level of the SM Megamall even on its second and last day (June 19/Sunday), it was wild, crazy and very much tiring!... borrowing a quote from Resident Evil 3's Jill Valentine "... Somehow, I'm still alive..." According to ToyCon's Cholo Mallillin, the second day of the event summed up an attendance of 20,000 strong and no wonder this annual event is considered to be Asia's biggest toy convention to date.


The mere thought of having to escape the hustle and bustle of a huge crowd by going there on the second day wasn't really much of a good idea since it was literally filled to the rafters and it caused a huge frenzy even outside the premises of the event, and the mall's security personnel were having a bit of a hard time reminding the crowd of cosplayers and curious onlookers through their megaphones to clear the designated aisles for the other mall shoppers later that day. Having to arrive there shortly before lunch, the people inside were still manageable and not that crowded so I took the opportunity to take some photos for my blog and for my Facebook page and at the same time did a little toy hunting and shopping as well. Though it was a pity that I never got to purchase more stuff than what I had in my stash since the people started coming in and gradually we became like packed sardines in a can, and jumping from one booth to another was a struggle and you can't fully focus on the goods on display as well since people would bump into you from behind and you have to be mindful about your belongings... most especially your wallets! But nonetheless I still went home with a few souvenirs in tow to celebrate this first-timer's triumphant journey to the annual ToyCon event.


Despite having two sore legs and almost on the verge of collapsing from all the walking I did inside the venue, I can say it was truly worth it! Maybe I've learned a lesson or two from my first encounter with this recent convention and by the next ToyCon in 2012, I'm more prepared and I know now what to do next time so I can carefully map out my strategy in dividing my time for business and leisure. By the way guys, here are some of the photos I took during the event:


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

Bearbricks, Munnys, Dunnys and designer toys galore at the Secret Fresh booth