While others are coinciding with another.
In Philippines, you can find a lot of local Anime convention events that are happening around every weekends. Some are happening every week, while others could eventually coincide with an another Anime convention event, also.
During those days that the series of such events are happening every weekends, there is this term that also existed. And that is what I call as convention hopping, or con-hopping otherwise!
Usually, these Anime convention events are happening around Metro Manila. But sometimes, these are also happening outside of Metro Manila (i.e. Laguna, Baguio, Cebu). So then, I also found out that they can be also in a form of either paid or free events.
Related post: The Series of Local Anime Conventions in the Philippines
When we say free, it would just say as “Free Admission”. Otherwise, it’s a paid event, where it would say ticket prices, along with price tiers. So basically, which kind of Anime convention events do con-goers usually attend? Could it be either free? Or the paid one?
The paid event usually features some guest people, who could be coming from overseas (usually Guest Cosplayers or performers), or even people who were recognized public figures. Paid events are usually extensive when it comes to venue spaces, as well as a lot of selection of merchandise and other figures.
And on the other hand, the free events are usually held on malls that has free wide spaces. They were usually on the open spaces of the mall area, and they were on the public area where people are walking back and forth. Unlike paid events, the free events don’t really have much guest performers nor guest Cosplayers from overseas. And if there are any guests, they were usually within Philippines only — in other words, local Cosplayers, idols, and performers.
So then, going back to the question: For con-goers who are attending Anime convention events per weekends: Would you go to a free or a paid event?
Let’s just summarize the pros and the cons of a paid event.
PRO’s
- They usually feature guest performers, artists, and Cosplayers from overseas.
- Higher selection of booths for figures and merchandise.
- Designated resting areas are available inside the venue.
- Guaranteed security.
CON’s
- Higher and expensive ticket tier prices that not many people can afford.
- Longer queues before you could enter inside the event venue, if you haven’t purchased a ticket yet.
- If you don’t do much activity, besides buying some merch and figures inside the hall, and taking pictures with your favorite Cosplayers, your ticket price expenditure is definitely not worth the value.
And for the pros and cons of a free event, they are:
PRO’s
- You can freely move around in and out of the event venue.
- Moderate to high selection of booths for figures and merchandise, just like in a paid event.
- Same as with paid events, they also have unique programs and contests.
CON’s
- They are usually crowded with many people who go in and out of the event area, making it less spacious than before.
- Limited resting areas. If you rest outside of the event area, namely on the corners of the mall, there are chances that security guards could really sweep your resting area away (Ma’am/sir bawal po dyan moments lol).
- Compromised security. (Reports on thefts like a smartphone going missing is still present)
For the paid events’ pros, there are sometimes having baggage counters outside of the venue halls. The only thing is that you could really pay an amount for your stuff to be stored for care. You can use that feature when you are already carrying a lot of stuff (That includes your luggage containing your Cosplay materials, as usual). But, if you are too hesitant to store them in the baggage area, you can carry them along with you, and just put them on a designated resting areas inside the venue. Make sure to bring some friends along with you so that in order for you to secure your belongings very well and intact by them, if in case you wanna stroll around the venue hall by yourself. Guaranteed security, in the sense that there are very less likely of reported thefts and other harassments made inside the venue. However, lost items like props may also happen in paid events. Definitely not a worth of the ticket prices if you don’t do too much activity, like taking Cosplayer pictures, buying merch and figures, or even participating on games and contests — a con of a paid event.
For the free events… Let’s talk about the cons. Just I have mentioned, there is guaranteed security since there are less frequent people who got their valuables missing during a paid event. However, unlike the security in paid events, the security in free events may be compromised. In the sense that the venue is just way too spacious, or even the open venue has lots of holes on every corner. These holes in the corners are more likely compromised, and people who are not con-goers are more likely to take advantage on those holes to steal some valuables inside the venue. Also, there are indeed reports that people are having their valuables go missing. And sometimes, other merch or figures on sale are definitely not safe from the theft attacks. Remember that master-grade model kit that was stolen from a booth on a free event? Yep, and those kinds of compromised security are more likely a top con of a free admission Anime convention event. That’s why there are sometimes security guards who are positioned on that area, just in case there is a person who is harassing some unsuspecting young female Cosplayers. And to summarize them, keep your belongings secured and away from risks of being stolen.
So, that’s it! Those are the possible PRO’s and CON’s on having some either paid or free Anime convention events that are happening every weekends here in Philippines.
For you, which kind of Anime convention event are you attending? Free or paid Anime convention event, and why?
