As posted in the Cybertron Philippines Website
HERE.
THE SETUPThe second floor of Max's Restaurant, Greenhills provided a serviceable venue for the capacity crowd of 70+ attendees of the first-ever Cybertron Philippines Grand Assembly. Enthusiastic preparations and last-minute arrangements helped the pre-show action reach a fever pitch as things came down to the wire, each member and moderator alike realizing how significant the event that was about to happen would indeed be.
The venue proved reasonable in tone and class, although moderators noted that the improvement of the sound system was a definite mark on the to-do list for the next big event. Still, there was just enough room for the bigger-than-expected crowd who flocked to Max's to join Cybertron Philippines in celebrating its fourth anniversary and first-ever assembly.
THE SEQUENCEThe informal, light-toned program kicked off with an introductory address from Cybertron Philippines Administrator Stephen Si [Protoform-S] and initial notes from Marketing Officer Eric John Cruz [Thunderbreak].
The hosting team of moderators Ron Villaflor [BLACK] and JP Landingin [gaojprime] provided lively banter and interaction with the boisterous crowd, which was composed of collectors and kids from varied circles. This crowd interaction was boosted big-time by moderator and writer Benedict Bartolome [Fero McPigletron], who suited up as fan-favorite Transformer Bumblebee and spent a large part of the event taking pictures with fans of all ages.
Cybertron Philippines unveiled an audio-visual presentation detailing the group's particulars, as well as its portfolio of accomplished activities and events. The new
www.cybph.com webpage URL was also announced, and the revamped website promised to deliver the same old high-quality news and features with easier navigation and a more user-friendly interface. Also revealed by the Cybertron Philippines moderators was an advance copy of a 2007 Movie figure from the Real Gear subline -- the Autobot Longview.
Teaser trailers for the live-action Transformers Movie, which remains the biggest, most anticipated non-sequel movie event of 2007, were then shown. Solar-United International Pictures official Ms. Nicole Castillo was then welcomed warmly by the crowd for her Powerpoint presentation introducing the movie's plot, characters and cast. Ms. Castillo noted that Transformers remains the third best-selling boys' toys franchise, surpassed only by Star Wars and GI Joe -- no small feat for a brand that hasn't had to rely on a movie tie-in since 1986.
Ms. Castillo's presentation was followed by one from Hero TV, the only all-Tagalog Pinoy anime/live-action channel, delivered by Mr. Eric Ang Go -- who was clearly just as thrilled about the potential that the Transformers brand brought to the table. These two special guests and Cybertron Philippines Founding Member Steve Yau [WildStar] then signed a Memorandum of Agreement signifying that Cybertron Philippines would be the ONLY collector group that Solar-UIP and Hero TV would work with for promoting Transformers and the 2007 Transformers Movie.
Plaques of appreciation were given to Ms. Castillo and Mr. Go for their utmost support in the promotion of Transformers in the Philippines.
THE SWAGRaffle portions punctuated each segment of the program and kept the crowd on their toes throughout. Eschewing the planned games portion for a higher-stakes full-on raffle, the Cybertron Philippines team raffled off various exciting Transformers and non-Transformers prizes of differing value. Generous sponsors such as Solar-United International Pictures and HeroTV each donated several US and Japanese toys and magazines, which added to the pool of prizes donated by Cybertron Philippines themselves. Lucky winners walked away with anything from claim stubs for 2007 Transformers Movie posters, Transformers Classics figures of Mirage, Bumblebee and Grimlock, G1 Minibot Keychains, a Revoltech Convoy, SOTA Toys and McFarlane Toys figures, Kamen Rider toys, and even a 13" The Flash collector figure.
THE SETUPThis title again? This is no typographical error -- Cybertron Philippines may have served up yet another wildly successful event, but this is simply the beginning. In a year where the greatest celebrants are robotic civil warriors from another planet seeking to wage Their War on Our World, what seems to be the end of one activity is simply more... much more than meets the eye!
*Article by LastMaximal
