Are you feeling torn apart on which to attend?
There are many local Anime conventions that are happening every weekend. And some are coincidentally happening with an another event of the same day. With the lineup of guest Cosplayers and performers announced that are too looking good, are you feeling torn apart?
In the past years, Anime conventions in the Philippines are happening every weekends. Mostly, they are free admission events that are usually held inside malls and activity centers. And if there is a free admission event that is coinciding with a paid event, they will choose to go there instead. But then, still, it will always depend on the lineup of guests there.
So what could be some possible strategies in order to maximize your enjoyment in attending Anime con events? Sometimes, you have to do this “con hopping” strategy, in which it can be an expensive option.
My first experience is around June 29, 2024, where Cosplay Blitz 3 and Malcon ToyHub Fest are happening at the same time. A good guest performer will be performing at Malcon at around 5 in the afternoon, while the other one at Cosplay Blitz 3 will be performing at the after-lunch at 2 in the afternoon. So, my strategy that time is that… I watched the performance of that performer on Cosplay Blitz 3, then afterwards proceeding to Malcon in order to watch that performer at around 5 in the afternoon. The consequence is that I have sacrificed the other performances from the Cosplay Blitz 3 event, while sacrificing to not watch the first ones in the Malcon at the same time.
My second experience? Another one will be around April 26-27, 2025, where Ozine Idol Fest and Idol Fair are happening at the same time at Ayala Malls Feliz and Victory Plaza Monumento, respectively. But then, that time, I have planned on who are the guest Cosplayers and performers whom I wanted to meet, and I was able to go to both of these events. However, I did not do con hopping this time between with these events. But instead, I attended Ozine Idol Fest 2025 on the 26th of April, while the Idol Fair on the 27th.
And my third experience will be the present time. In February 28 and March 1 of 2026, Anime Fair – Back to School and Hobby Fest PH – Collectors Carnival 2 have happened at Ayala Malls Feliz and Cash and Carry Mall, respectively. And then, since I have some particular guest performers and Cosplayers whom I wanted to meet in both events, I have planned it carefully. On Day 1 of Anime Fair, I attended to see Rai at the 4 pm timeslot, then I finally run home afterward without finishing the day. And then, on the Day 2 of the Anime Fair again, I arrived to see Hoshizora and MarieNyan in the after-lunch 2:30pm timeslot. Rai with Dri should be performing on the 4pm slot. But since I have seen Rai performed on the Day 1 set, I have skipped to watch her on the Day 2, and I proceeded immediately to Cash and Carry, in the Collectors Carnival 2 event, to see Miyomi in their performance that has been delayed until 5 pm in the afternoon. When I went from Feliz to Cash and Carry Mall, even though I can reach there via LRT-MRT option, I have finally used the TNVS option, which is an expensive choice, though I have reached there in at least 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Advice to People Who Would Do Con Hopping
Con Hopping can be an expensive, reckless, and a no-brainer strategy unless if you have a lot of more money than you can spend. My advice is know the purpose of your con hopping strategy. If you came to see just Cosplayers, and idols and performers, you have to find out their time schedule of each.
So for example, your set of performer friends are performing on the after-lunch timeslot at around 2 or 3pm at the venue A, and the others are at the late afternoon at 5 or 6pm at the venue B, that’s the time that you will have to plan for con hopping, if you have to. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, after the performances of the guest performers that you are aftering to meet. Then, start to proceed to the other venue once you are ready to do so. Just remember to say goodbye to the ones that you have met in the first venue before leaving.
If the schedules of the performers in the first venue are aligned and conflicted with the other venue’s schedule, then you have no other choice. You just stay with the venue where you are deemed to be comfortable without wasting more money.
Con hopping can be a reckless strategy, especially if I am not aware with my money that I am spending to get from venue to venue. But if it is really my choice to see them at the same time in one weekend, then why not? Besides I am just enjoying myself whilst alive, and who knows that I cannot repeat this same moment ever again?
