| After more than two years of hiatus the local events has started happening once again, and public events in the Philippines are a rarity especially if it’s in Metro Manila that is considered a melting pot to every form or type of hobby.
With LEGO® there have been events organized by the sole distributor of the brand in the country. But there are also local small scale events that cater to their community in 2022. They’re quite different from the usual LEGO communities in other countries, which is for some might say ‘traditional.’ |
'Traditional' meant that they’re very private to within their core groups culturally in this country as they previously host their events on a small scale in 2022. Of course, that slowly changed and opens up for those outside the community when “Meet & Brick” happened this recent Sunday at a commercial district in Estancia Mall.The Seventeenth edition of “Meet & Brick” has finally happened, and it was FREE attendance as it was held inside the East Wing of Estancia Mall from 10 AM to 7:30 PM aiming to promote the LEGO® Brand that it can be affordable too despite the price changes by the local distributor late in the last quarter of 2022.
“Meet & Bricks” was organized by a multiple of groups, sellers, and passionate AFOLs from the community. This is a group effort that would become a monthly fixture in Estancia Mall that’s needing some semblance of life back after the pandemic that had lost most of their local crowds that prefer the other local malls that’s accessible with the current way to take the public commutes. Estancia Mall is not easy to access if you do not own a car, and this place really needs some life.
This event might be just the gathering for local hobbyist, collectors, and casual mall visitors to see once a month. “Meet & Brick” was organized by the Brick Trader’s Club Community with collaboration together OptionA: Brick Builders and other independent builders who showcased their creations in this event.
Massive Creations
While the event is all about having swap meets and trading for LEGO parts and elements, this event is bannered by the talented builders in the Philippine community regardless of which tribal faction they’re from. Despite representation from what group or sub-communities they’re part of the LEGO community is still just a fraction compared to the ones in other countries.
But you add them together these individuals in one room, and bring their collective talents to produce astounding creations it would represent some promising talents from the Philippines. The mini exhibit table has some interesting showcase during the whole day event, and some of them you might not heard from. The exhibit area is bustling with talent and some of them shares that it is their first time to share their creations after more than two years not attending local public events.
There are big and small creations, but noticeable in the front table is the big and small mechs that some are adorable or interestingly ‘cute’ such as the centerpiece that features a Super Deformed (Big Head with Small Body) Voltron surrounded by small to medium size mechs by Reunion Ortiz Luis. By the end of the long table there are four robots based from the 9170s and 1980s namely Optimus Prime, Daimos, Mazinger Z flanked in the middle is Voltes V by Arthur Michael Tanseco.
By the time you have circled around the most eye catching set ups are the massive builds and diorama that stands out. If you are a fan of historic buildings and architecture in the Philippines chances are you’ve been to Manila Cathedral, which is one of the oldest Catholic Church in the country that was built by Les Santos. It is indeed massive in scale you’re curious how it’s been transported in this event. The other set piece in this event is by Mikhail Jamisola that features the “Supreme Leader’s Arrival” and “The First Order Finalizer Hanger” put side by side together to give you the grand scale from the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy.
Bustling Marketplace
Beyond the mini exhibit area is what most collectors, builders, and, and casual individuals who are into LEGO are visiting for, besides catching up with familiar faces it’s the selling part as well as the swap meets. There are a wide variety of all things 100% percent authentic LEGO products in this one-day event that the local retail can’t provide and that is affordability as wells as access to certain parts.
If you’re looking for a specific minifigure or character they might have something for you. But if you missed out they highly promote their online marketplace and their discussion group that share their projects. There are some interesting things you might not see in this event that they may provide online. But there’s nothing like an honest old-fashioned face-to-face interaction that keeps the community to thrive and grow not limited to a virtual space.
It sure is a successful event that benefits both Estancia Mall and the organizers from the BTC Community that hopefully this becomes a regular monthly gathering not only for the group, but to attract and inspire local mall visitors of this part of the commercial district in Pasic City.
For more about the next Meet & Brick you can follow Brick Trader's Club on social media via Facebook Page and their Community Page HERE, which you can also check out their announcements and awesome builds on Instagram.
For more news and interesting features LIKE The Bricksters on Facebook, Instagram: @PhilBRicksters, and follow on Twitter at: @PhilBrickters
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