The Ultimate Pop-culture Fan Experience Returns to SMX Manila on June 12–14, 2026

The Philippines’ biggest and most exciting celebration of toys, collectibles, cosplay, gaming, comics, and pop culture returns bigger than ever as TOYCON NEXUS x POPLIFE Festival 2026 takes over the SMX Convention Center Manila from June 12 to 14, 2026.

Bringing together every corner of fandom under one massive event, TOYCON NEXUS x POPLIFE Festival promises three unforgettable days packed with international celebrity guests, exclusive collectibles, live entertainment, tournaments, cosplay competitions, exhibits, prizes, and interactive experiences.

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS AND POP CULTURE ICONS

Leading this year’s guest lineup is legendary Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano, world-renowned for his iconic artwork for the Final Fantasy series and his influential contributions to fantasy and pop culture.

Joining him are fan-favorite international personalities including:
⦁ Reiko Chiba, beloved actress known worldwide as Pteraranger from Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger
⦁ Eunji Pyo, Korean model, influencer, and cosplay personality
⦁ Alodia Gosiengfiao, cosplay icon and gaming personality
⦁ Award-winning singer Jed Madela

The festival will also feature electrifying performances from Japanese idol groups Kamen Joshi and Melty Mellow, alongside popular performers DIV9, A!ka, Tommie King, Bianca Umali and The Dawn!

 

The 90s decade, in my opinion, is the era where old and new overlap. It is the era where developments in technology started, an era of changes. And the first beneficiaries of this progress are the 90s kids. They are the first-hand witnesses of technologies booming economy, and I'm one of those lucky ones.

Do you still remember those desktop computers with bulky monitors in white-colored casing? Well, if you do, you're probably one of the few people who first enjoyed the technology of the computer, from the dos command using the floppy disk to store your data up to what we now know as the advanced settings of Windows.

The development of computers has indeed involved past time games in it. And I think, or what I can remember, there are two games popular on desktop computers. These are the Mines Sweep and the Solitaire. Among the two, the Solitaire game is the most popular because it is really a card game enjoyed by many, right before the start of the computer era.

The Solitaire game is a pastime game that doesn't require much of a memory from your computer. Even though this game may look elementary, this game needs your full attention and focus for you to finish the game. The main thought of the game is about decision-making. It is about deciding where to put or place the next card that matches the card suits or the sequence.

So, have I completed a set of the game? Well, I lost count already, but every game is different. There are many possible situations in every play, and that's where you learn.

Did you know that some doctors use the Solitaire game in clinical tests? Well, I just recently saw an article about it, and I was amazed that it actually helped?

Now, there are different kinds of Solitaire games that you can play, whether on your computer or from the internet. Yes, the internet or the world wide web has a lot of good pastime games to offer for everyone. All you need to do is use your fingertips and type or click away.

Even though Solitaire is a good card game to play, some people think of this as a game to slack off in the office or at work. I find it interesting that the solitaire game is used or featured in different movie stories conveying laziness. There are some movies with the office scene playing solitaire games. Perhaps the most recent one that I have seen was one of the episodes in Trese, an animated series from Netflix, where the police officer is slacking off on his job while their Captain is away.

In reality, it does happen in some offices, but it happens because there are no customers yet. So, they need to do something in their dull hours.

Some websites offer this Solitaire game for free, and you don't have to worry about installing the game and eating up some of your precious computer memory. All you need to do is visit the site https://www.solitaire.org/ for you to actually play the game. The site doesn't only offers Solitaire game but a bunch of games that can test your skills, whether your motor skills or your cognitive skills. You can also play this kind of games https://www.solitaire.org/match-3-games/ The best part is that it is free and it is there for us to enjoy.

Two proudly Pinoy companies namely the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), the country's largest restaurant chain, and Bank of the Philippine Islads (BPI),  ne of the country's leading commercial bank, have teamed up to introduce the first cashless payment rewards card in the country.  They've launched the Happyplus card which was held at the Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.  One of my correspondent, Jefferson Montas had witnessed that ceremony and was gladly to be there.

JFC Chairman and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong and BPI President Aurelio Montinola led the ceremonies of introducing the happyplus card to the public.

“This is another milestone for JFC as we have managed to consolidate easy and fast transaction for our customers ordering and paying for their favorite food in any participation JFC stores nationwide through the use of the happyplus card,” Tan Caktiong said.


The happyplus card is JFC's customer loyalty program that rewards its members points every time they eat in any participating Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon and (soon to be) Mang Inasal establishments. These points are accumulated and can then be used as payment for any item sold in any participating JFC stores.

BPI, a foreplayer in cashless payment innovation, serves as JFC's technology and infrastructure provider for the happyplus program. BPI envisions this type of payment scheme, Offline contactless, to perpetuate in the next few years and they aim to take a lead at it.

“As one of the most trusted banks in the country that provides sterling banking services to millions of ustomers nationwide, we are proud that BPI is our partner in this endeavor,” Tan Caktiong added.

Aside from the convenience of cashless transaction in all participating JFC stores, customers will be given corresponding raffle entries when they use the happyplus card for their food transactions, which are eligible for monthly raffle cash prizes.

HERE SOME OF THE BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE HAPPYPLUS CARD

What is the happyplus card?
Happyplus card is JFC's customer loyalty program that rewards members with points every time they eat in Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon (and soon to be) Mang Inasal establishments in Metro Manila. The points cn then be used as currency for any item sold in any of the participating stores.

How do I become a member?
Just buy a happyplus Membership Kit at any cashier counter of Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon (and soon to be) Mang Inasal establishments in Metro Manila for only P100. Fill out the enclosed Membership Application Form and submit to the cashier counter of Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon (and soon to be) Mang Inasal establishments in Metro Manila. You can also register online at www.happyplus.com.ph.

What is the duration of the membership?
Membership in happyplus is valid for three (3) years from date of application.

Can I renew my membership?
To renew for another three (3) years, simply go to any cashier's counter of Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon (and soon to be) Mang Inasal and pay the P100 renewal fee using cash or points.

How do I earn points?
Just use your happyplus card in paying your bill in any participating Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon (and soon to be) Mang Inasal store. For every P50 purchase you earn one (1) happyplus point. One (1) happyplus point = P1. No card. No points.

How do I redeem?
Just go to any participating store and after ordering, advise the cashier that you will be utilizing your happyplus points for payment of your food order.

How do I join the monthly raffle?
Raffle entries will automatically be awarded every tim you load.

How do I check my happyplus purse and points balance?
You may go to any participating store and tap your card in any card reader. It will automatically display your purse and point balance. Your happyplus points balance is also printed in your official receipt everytime yo do a load or payment transaction. You may also visit and log on to www.happyplus.com.ph to manage your account online, find out your lates transactions and card balance, and check all the pertinent information regarding yuour happyplus card.

What happens If I lose my card?
Your card is good as cash. All happy points and happy purse loaded in the card will be lost as well.

What happens if I damage my card? Can I have it replaced? 
For replacement of damaged card, surrender the card to the cashier counter of any particiapting store of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon (and soon) Mang Inasal.

Damaged cards will be validated and will be replaced for free if found defective within 15 days.

A damaged card caused by cardholder's mishandling will be considered a lost card. All happyload and happypoints will be forfeited.

Is there a maximum purse and reload limit?
Yes, P10,000.00 is the maximum purse and reload limit.

What is the minimum load amount?
The minimum load amount is P100 and in increments of P100.

What is the advantage of loading more in the happyplus card?
Aside from the convenience of cashless transaction in all participating stores, you would be getting more raffle entries.

Reload Amount and Raffle Entry
PhP100.00 - 1
PhP300.00 - 5
PhP500.00 - 10
PhP1,000.00 - 25

To be able for a customer to avail of a happyplus card and chck for more details about the happyplus card, he can just visit any participating JFC stores nationwide and buy a happyplus membership kit from the cashier or register online at www.happyplus.com.ph