Kwento Ni Toto

2023/07/05

Experience TOYCON 2023: Celebrating TWENTY YEARS of PLAY

Toto 7/05/2023 11:53:00 PM

The Philippine TOYCON, from its modest beginnings, has evolved into a highly anticipated annual extravaganza in the Philippine events scene. It has earned the distinction of being the largest pop culture convention in the country. This year, TOYCON PH proudly commemorates its impressive two-decade milestone as a premier destination event, solidifying its position as one of the most enduring pop culture gatherings in the Asian region.

With each passing year, the Philippine TOYCON has experienced exponential growth, establishing itself as a formidable force in the realm of culture and an event that garners immense anticipation. Thousands of enthusiastic con-goers eagerly participate in a weekend filled with delightful amusement, nostalgic moments, and an array of remarkable discoveries.

With this year’s TOYCON happening from July 7-9 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, this year’s edition promises to raise the bar again for pop-culture events as it returns back to form as the collectors’ mecca and an ultimate destination for pop-culture fan engagement. TOYCON this year will feature almost a hundred toy exclusives from partner exhibitors, with top toy brands like Funko, Lego, Bandai, Hot Toys, Pop Mart, JoyToy and many others. We will be featuring the top toy designers in the country, from the region and from the US. World-renowned toy designers like Quiccs, Wetworks, Creon Chknhead, Arman Kendrick and more, add to the hype with their limited edition TOYCON releases

TOYCON also partners with international brand and licensing giant, MINDstyle, to bring you the FanXperience, where con-goers can sample the latest trends in upcoming art toys and purchase Pop Asia exclusives. Fans also get to interact with top creators and designers like Punk Drunkers and Reen Barrera. You also get to check out the Secret Fresh merchandise and exhibits. And one the most anticipated toys of the convention brought in by MINDstyle is the very first ever Philippine Convention exclusive in the form of TOYCON’s brand mascot, TC-02, as an official Funko Pop collectible! Globe is this year’s event co-presenter and they are bringing in the Globe Playboxx Booth where one can unleash their inner child. They also bring the Globe Premium and VIP Passes loaded with awesome toy exclusives, merch and vouchers. Avail of these VIP passes to be the first to own these much sough-after toy exclusives like Creon Chknheads CCW Buck Philippine Colorway, and Punk Drunkers convention exclusive Pops.

Still very much a highlight for the event is the ongoing live-action adaptation of the beloved Robot Romance Trilogy anime known as Voltes V. This Philippine production, known as Voltes V: Legacy with GMA TV, has received rave reviews for its cutting-edge special effects and attention to detail, clearly serving as a love letter from its makers to the source material. The cast of Voltes V Legacy and its show-runner, Director Mark A. Reyes will have a fan interaction on the TOYCON stage. GMA will also bring in other stars to grace the event.

But that’s not all, because from our homegrown talent taking on a much-beloved Japanese franchise, we also get to welcome some special guests from the Japanese Tokusatsu (“live-action special effects”) universe. First up, we have Tetsuo Kurata, aka Robert Akizuki, as he was locally known when he played Masked Rider Black and Black RX. With him of course is Ryosuke Kaizu, who played Red Mask in Hikari Sentai Maskman. All those who grew up with these 90’s heroes will have a blast to see them up close and personal along with their props and vehicles in the Toku Spirits booth. Cosplay also returns to TOYCON in a big way with arguably the most entertaining and most talked-about cosplay competition in the country. The Cosplay KO heightens the excitement for individual cosplayers on Saturday with a P20,000 cash prize for the best anime and the Anime S Cosplay World Stars local qualifiers in the Duo Category and the Cosplay Pop Duo Contest liven up the TOYCON stage on Sunday. Celebrity Cosplay photographer, Jay Tablante, also conducts a Cosplay Photography workshop sponsored by Canon.

Movie fans will celebrate in the immersive cinematic displays as Warner Brothers sets up for Barbie the Movie and the highly anticipated DC superhero movie, Blue Beetle. Paramount Pictures also joins the fray with a booth for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

TOYCON also brings to the fore the top local and international creators with not just one but three Creative Zones: the Comics Zone powered by Komiket, with top comic book artists and illustrators, and two Toy Designer Alleys with the best local and international toy designers including Hot Actor, Pucky, Chino Lam, Unbox Industries and more! Enjoy more than 80 toy exclusives to be released by more than 40 toy designers around the world!

And of course, the heart of the event is the TOYCON Collectors Gallery where around 80 toy collector groups will display their collections with exciting panel discussions and competitions for Custom Toys, Toy Photography, Best Display and Awards for the Best Toy Collectors Group sponsored by the Philippine Toy Groups Association. And definitely, the shopping and collectibles hunting is unsurpassed in TOYCON with more toys, comics, collectibles to be found in more than 250 vendor booths!, And even bigger fan experiences than you could possibly imagine await you over this epic weekend!

An absolute epic experience awaits all fans this July 7-9 at the SMX Convention Center as we celebrate 20 years of TOYCON with the TOYCON MINDstyle FanXperince. The only question is: will you be celebrating with us, or will you be missing out on one of the hottest events of 2023? The choice couldn’t be clearer - see you there!

The 20th TOYCON Philippines and MINDstyle FanXperience is presented by Globe, in partnership with Great Toys Online, Filbars, Hobbiestock, CalicoToys, Gaming Library, Funtastik, Talent High, Solid Toys, Collectors Base, Stormy Vault, Devil Toys, the College of St. Benilde, Bostik, Cybercraft PH, Grimalkin, JoyToy, Gnarly, and supported by Canon, GMA Store, Quiccs, Toku Spirits, Funko Funatic Philippines, Big Boys Toy Store, Image World, Yori, Warner Brothers Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Del Monte Potato Crisp, with hotel partners, Citadines and Heritage Hotel. Also powered by Exlink Events, Anime Alliance, Ambox Events, Komiket, IPMS, the Philippine Toy Group Association and Creon Chknhead.

Tickets are available at SMTickets.com or onsite during the event dates at the SMX Convention Center. The Globe Premium Passes and Globe MINDstyle VIP Passes are available on Tickelo.com

TOYCON PH
Email: toyconph@gmail.com / toyconphmarketing@gmail.com
Website: toyconph.com
Facebook: FB/ToyconPH
IG: @PhToycon
YouTube: Youtube.com/@TOYCONPH
#TOYCON2023 #TOYCON20 #TOYCONPH #TOYCONNA

2023/07/02

updates

KZ Tandingan's "Dito Ka Lang" Lyrics Deconstructed, Possessive and Selfish Love?

Marco Polo Demo 7/02/2023 08:38:00 AM

KZ Tandingan, known for her signature songs about failure, abandonment, and heartbreak, has surprised fans with a break away from her usual theme of songs. In her latest release, "Dito Ka Lang," she showcases a new side of herself, delving into the realm of love, which she claims her current self, very much in love KZ. The soulful love song is dedicated to her husband TJ Monterde, was m released on various digital streaming platforms on June 23.

One question arises, why is this a not-so-KZ song?

One reason is that it revolves around love, a subject that differs from her usual repertoire of unique rhythms filled with angst and swagger, which rarely touch upon matters of the joyful heart. Listeners might find themselves intrigued and wondering, "Is this really a song by KZ?"

Let's read between the lyrics and delve into our thoughts and interpretations of the song.

The opening stanza goes as follows:

"Dito ka lang sa aking tabi

Pag 'di ka nakikita 'di na mapakali

Ako'y tinamaan sa'yo ng matindi

Ikaw lang nasa isip araw man o gabi"

The line "Dito ka lang sa aking tabi" highlights a sense of possession and at the same time longingness, which can be viewed negatively as greed or simply as a yearning for someone's presence. The remaining lines express common phrases associated with being in love. For sure, you've felt it during teenage and probably the high in love stage.

The next stanza reflects a sense of disbelief and questions whether one is merely dreaming of such good fortune:

"Di ko alam anong nagawa

Para sa akin ay

Ikaw mapunta

Pero 'di na bibitawan pa"

The final line once again emphasizes possession and the notion that when you possess something good, you shouldn't let it go. It speaks to the practicality of holding onto that blessings.

The subsequent lines exclaim:

"Hey

'Di pa ba halata?

Sa tuwing tinititigan ka'y

'Di pa rin makapaniwala

Akin ka ba talaga?

O panaginip lang ba?

Kung hindi 'to tunay

Ay 'di na nakakatuwa"

Who would readily believe that she has been blessed with a husband who is handsome, talented, and deeply in love with her? It makes one wonder if she's dreaming or if it's actually real.

Take note that the generalizes the idea that you too are experiencing it

In this rap segment, KZ describes being clingy and expresses gratitude for having someone who surpasses their expectations. The lyrics also reveal a slightly selfish tone, albeit in a positive light:

"Listen

'Wag ka ng umalis

Mabilis kita mamimiss

Sa'kin lang 'yong tingin please

I insist, 'di madali

They say you're out of my league

And I completely agree

Why me?

Wala namang gayuma

Siguro may nagawang tama

Chamba man o sadya ang pagkahulog mo sa akin

'Di ka na pwede sa'kin bawiin

You're mine, all mine

It's like I ordered a regular

But I got myself a premium

Found something so rare

I'm so elated I could keep them

Kaya 'di ko masisi kung madami nakatitig

Mapupungay na mata, matatamis na mga ngiti

Minsan pa nga napapaisip kung ika'y nagpapanggap

Na tao lang pero galing pala sa langit

Bumagsak lang sa'kin

Oh akin ka na

'Gang tingin na lang iba

Papakawalan pa? 'Di na

Sa tabi ko dito ka"

The entire love song revolves around feeling blessed to have someone who surpasses

one's expectations and not believing that such a person could enter their life. The line "It's like I ordered a regular, but I got myself a premium" captures the sentiment of finding something exceptional and rare. The song expresses immense joy and a desire to hold onto that person tightly, going beyond mere clinginess. It portrays a possessive intention with the words "You're mine, all mine!"

Beyond the captivating lyrics, "Dito Ka Lang" is accompanied by an infectious beat that blends soul, R&B, and rap elements. The track's production has been taken to the next level with the mixing expertise of Grammy winner Jackie Boom and the mastering skills of another Grammy winner, Jett Galindo from The Bakery LA. Theo Martel expertly handled the song's arrangement, while ABS CBN Music director Jonathan Manalo made it all possible.

"Dito Ka Lang" serves as the opening track of KZ's latest full-length album, titled "Soul Supremacy II." This release follows her previous album, "Soul Supremacy," which was released under Star Music in 2017.

So, what are your thoughts on KZ's "Dito Ka Lang"?

KZ's captivating "Dito Ka Lang" is now available on various music platforms. For more updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

2023/06/30

World Class Experience

SM City Cebu's SM Cinema Offers World Class Cinematic Experience

Toto 6/30/2023 09:37:00 PM

SM Cinema unveiled its new and improved facility at SM City Cebu on June 21, offering upgraded and comfortable seats, a wider screen with a clearer view, an advanced and precise sound system, delectable snacks, and a rejuvenated ambiance. Cebuano moviegoers were treated to an array of enjoyable activities and had the opportunity to win exciting prizes. The re-opening event was made even more captivating with the presence of cosplayers and renowned celebrities.

During the official opening of a new Cinematic experience, Actress Julia Barretto joins the grand launching of SM Cinema Cebu. Joining her in the photo are SM Cinema's Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Ruby Ann Reyes, Vice President for Mall Operations in Visayas, Michelle Leslie Llaños, and Regional Operations Manager, Ana Kristin Therese M. Seno.

4 REGULAR CINEMAS WITH FIRST-CLASS SEATS, SOUNDS AND SCREEN

Equipped with spacious Opus fixed seats with cushioned headrest, soft foam backrest, and a bigger legroom, the four newly opened cinemas can now cater up to 512 viewers, with each having a capacity of 125 guests with 3 designated seats for persons in wheelchairs. Its Dolby 7.1 surround sound system makes a powerful audio encounter that can put you into the real action. Its state-of-the-art Laser Projector display a spectacle of colors giving a precise and superb cinematic experience.

Wait in style at the SM Cinema lobby where you can relax and eat snacks from Snack Time before watching your favorite movie.

Cozy up at the Director’s Club lounge where you can stay and unwind as SM Cinema’s friendly staff prepare your very own exclusive watch party.

Exclusive watch parties for at SM Cinema Director’s Club

Last month, SM Cinema at SM City Cebu opened two Directors Club to the public which offers an A-List experience for moviegoers starting with an aesthetic exclusive lobby with friendly staff welcoming guests. Extraordinary comfort awaits moviegoers, seating them on a total of 96 premium soft recliner seats with spacious side tables for food & drinks, and specialized menu with a butler service through a service buzzer on each seat. Here, movie screens are equipped with Laser Projector, a cutting-edge technology that offers the highest quality of image, and Dolby Atmos for a more advanced sound system.

SM City Cebu recently opened two Director’s Club to cater the increasing demand for Cebuanos to experience A-list exclusive watch parties for their family and friends.

Elite cinematic experience awaits you at SM Cinema Director’s Club at SM City Cebu. This spacious cinema offers movie screens equipped with world-class technology for the best quality of film projection and sounds.

Immerse yourself at every scene with SM Cinema IMAX

SM Cinema at SM City Cebu also offers the fun and exciting IMAX movie experience that can seat up to 394 moviegoers. Get closer to the action with a wider view of crystal-clear images from the scenes of your favorite movies and the thrill from the crisp sound with perfectly tuned audio of IMAX Precision Sound. Feeling like you are part of the scene is always better as IMAX takes you to the world of adventures, fully immersing the audience at every scene.

Director’s Club recliner seats are soft and spacious with side tables for refreshments from Snack Time’s specialized menu served by SM Cinema’s friendly butler service which is just one call way with just a click of a button on each side of the seats.

The new 2D SM Cinema in SM City Cebu offers a more vivid film watching with its cutting-edge laser projection system, making every movie scene feel nearer and clear.

Being the country’s leader in movie entertainment, SM Cinema offers the best experience with its Regular Cinema, IMAX Cinema and Director’s Club for your family to better enjoy movie adventures with its state-of-the-art movie screens, precision sounds and comfortable seats. Watching movies has never been better with SM Cinema at SM City Cebu.

SM Cinema recently opened four 2d Cinemas at SM City Cebu which can cater 126 viewers each with 3 friendly spaces for persons on wheelchair.

These seats are even more comfortable with its soft head and back rest made from quality cushion for a more relaxing movie experience.

Special offers and promotions

Great deals are waiting for you at SM Cinema, a super treat for a superhero movie experience! Enjoy your free popcorn, nuggets and bottled water for every purchase of The Flash Ticket. Keep an eye out for special discounts and deals that can make your cinema experience even more memorable and fun. To know more about SM Cinemas’ promos, deals, and exciting activities, visit www.smcinema.com or visit SMCinema on social media. Book your tickets now to experience the new thrill at the all-new SM Cinema at SM City Cebu.

2023/06/23

updates

THE FLASH AND DISNEY’S ELEMENTAL PREMIERS AT SM CINEMA

Toto 6/23/2023 08:27:00 PM

Be ready to cross the first ever multiverse in the comic history at SM Cinema as The Flash find his way to the past in his attempt to save his family. Travel back in time with Barry as he unleash his superpowers to change the events of the past. Will this affect the future?

Live out at the Element City to witness how Fire, Water, Earth and Air residents live together in harmony. From the studio that brought you Inside Out comes Disney and Pixar’s ELEMENTAL, a movie that will take you to a whole new ride of fun and excitement as Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman and Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie) challenge their world’s one simple rule: Elements cannot mix! Joint them as they build their friendship and create new adventures for the people of Element City.

Experience real adventure as SM IMAX bring you to the full view of every heart-racing scene and with its super precise digital surround sound system, making you feel every moment as if you are at the film set. Convenience is a must so let SM Cinema’s comfortable seats make you and your super DC buddies be at home while watching. Enjoy the movie with every bite of Snack Time’s all-time favorite Popcorn and delectable meals.

The Flash and Elemental is now showing at SM Cinema branches nationwide. Enjoy a super treat for a superhero movie experience because Flash treats are waiting for you. Purchase The Flash Ticket and get free popcorn and bottled water when you book a ticket at SM Cinema Director’s Club, free nuggets and bottled water when you watch at IMAX, or a bottled water when you buy a ticket at the Regular SM Cinema. Race with your friends and family and book your tickets today for the best movie experience at SM Cinema because you deserve the best.

2023/06/18

Technology

Review : Samsung Galaxy S23 Series a Must-Have Tool for Vloggers and Content Creators

Toto 6/18/2023 10:36:00 AM

Good day Kwento Ni Toto readers and tech enthusiasts! Today, we're going to share our not-so-nitty-gritty review of the latest gadget that has become an essential tool for vloggers: smartphones. Particularly, we'll be discussing the top-of-the-line smartphones that are part of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.

Not to step-over with the DSLR Cameras, these smartphones can now serve as alternatives to bulky and heavy DSLR cameras, allowing vloggers to conveniently record their content while on the go without attracting too much attention. Carrying a DSLR can be inconvenient and draw unwanted attention, making smartphones an ideal choice for vlogging purposes. You can also add it's concealment ability, unlike the DSLR camera.

For aspiring vloggers, like us, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, consists of three (3) top quality smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, is really a must-have. For us these three (3) models can be described as good, better, and best, respectively.

Let's dive into the details.

Like any other top-tier phone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series boasts several outstanding features. Most of these features, such as the screen, camera, operating system, connectivity, and memory, are relatively similar across the models. Of course, there are few differences and you can not actually differentiate with just a mere glance.

Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

For non-tech-savvy individuals, the camera and memory are usually the most important aspects to consider. A better camera and larger storage capacity are desirable. However, for those seeking functionality and performance, factors like the smartphone's operating system, camera lenses (including the number of megapixels for the front and rear cameras), data storage capacity, and user experience are more significant. That's where most of the details pops out.

Design and Aesthetics

In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series offers interesting variations. The S23 model, for instance, is great for those with petite hands, easy to hold, while the S23 Plus and S23 Ultra cater to individuals with larger hands. Although the reasons for the differences in design are unclear, personally, I prefer the corner design of the S23 Ultra, which has a more rectangular shape and a masculine appearance. The other two models lean towards a more feminine aesthetic.

Camera Placement, Design, and Lenses

Smartphone cameras are continually improving, featuring different lenses that benefit photographers and videographers alike. As mentioned earlier, these devices are convenient to carry and use when covering events or vlogging on the streets, minimizing the risk of theft. However, what's intriguing is the design of the cameras, as each brand has its own unique approach.

In the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, I appreciate the separate design of the camera lenses. Unlike other smartphones that try to integrate and squeeze them into a frame at the back of the phone, for Samsung it opted for individual camera holes, much more pleasing to the eye. It's more likely compared to an artwork that boosts its individuality. Thus, providing a better user experience. One drawback, though, is that the camera lenses protrude from the back of the smartphone, making it unstable when placed on a flat surface. However, using a smartphone case or cover can help level it and it can also be a good problem because these phone can easily pick-up. As for the lenses, I find them excellent in terms of clarity and image quality. Here are some sample videos and photos taken during event coverage.

The super telephoto lens of the S23 Ultra is particularly impressive. Imagine capturing videos and photos from the upper box of SM MOA Arena—the camera's zoom capability remains effective despite the considerable distance. However, images may become slightly blurry and grainy at maximum zoom. Nonetheless, this feature is highly appreciated by bloggers and vloggers who cover events.

Regarding the S23 and S23 Plus, while they can still capture distant shots, both photos and videos may appear slightly blurry, especially during action sequences.

These smartphone series features a quad-camera cluster on the back, comprising a 200 MP main/wide lens, a 10 MP periscope lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. Additionally, the front (selfie) camera is equipped with a 12 MP CMOS image sensor.

The standout feature of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom, which is currently the best in the smartphone industry. This telephoto camera also enables an impressive 100x zoom feature, allowing you to capture even the tiniest details, such as the pores on your skin. This remarkable zoom capability is achieved through the integration of a periscope lens, designed specifically for powerful zoom capabilities. The combination of these technologies and lenses results in a truly powerful camera.

Other Exciting Camera Features

The Samsung Galaxy S23 series offers a range of other camera features that will surely enhance your photography and videography experience.

The Bixby Vision which you need to download in order to use this feature of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This is similar to Google lens. This allows you to get information about the object, copy text from the image, translate language, identify objects or it can read about it, all can be done by simply pointing the camera to an object.

More camera and video feature in the MORE tab of the camera, like the Expert Raw, the Pro cam and Pro Video, Night mode, cam setting for Food, the Panorama option, the Director's View, and you have the options of Slow motion and Hyperlapse, and protrait video. You can definite enjoy experimenting on your next photos and videos.

The Operating System

All models in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, ensuring smooth system performance. This processor is currently one of the best in the smartphone market, according to my readings on other reviews. Though we cannot dive deeper into its details of the processor it is guaranted that this phone is on its utmost superb performance. Whether you're browsing through apps, playing games, watching movies, or capturing photos and videos, you'll enjoy a seamless user experience.

The series also runs on Android Version 13, accompanied by One UI version 5.1. This combination delivers an enhanced user interface, further improving the overall user experience.

Other Noteworthy Features

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also boasts IP68 water resistance, meaning the phone remains safe even when submerged in water. It can withstand being submerged up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, making it perfect for worry-free use at the beach or around water.

The materials used in the Samsung Galax S23 Ultra are recycled or repurposed glass and PET film as part of their commitment for the environment, an eco-conscious materials. I think this is their first eco-friendly produced model.

Another feature is the S-pen of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, that makes it a lot easier when doing some details works on arts or simply writing because you prefer to write rather than type it, especially if you have a huge hand.

Battery Life and Charging

Under normal usage, the battery of the Galaxy S23 series can last for approximately two days. However, if you frequently engage in activities such as photo and video shooting, movie watching, gaming, music streaming, and internet browsing, the battery life may reduce to around 12 to 14 hours or even less.

When it comes to charging, the smartphone can reach a full charge within 1 to 1.5 hours. If you're planning a gig or an event, make sure to plug in your Galaxy S23 series device 2 to 3 hours beforehand to ensure it's fully charged.

Price and availability

Of course, all quality products entails good materials and most of the times good materials and technology comes with a price. So, if you have read about the features and its capacity, I'm sure prices does not matter at all as long as you get the quality and the performance you need.

For the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it is priced at ₱89,990.00 for the 512GB capacity or you can go lower with its 256GB capacity for only ₱81,990.00. Just note that there's only an ₱8,000 difference for a 256GB storage capacity. So, if you're going to buy opt for the bigger storage capacity.

For the Galaxy S23 Plus it is priced at ₱68,990.00. Almost the same quality with just less of some special features. If you could not get the best, then go for the better, which is the Galaxy S23.

For the Galaxy S23 it is priced at ₱57,990.00, a good choice for a start.

Some stores have different freebies when you buy these smartphones.

Our final verdict

So what we say about these smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series offers vloggers and tech enthusiasts, like us, a powerful tool for their content creation needs. With impressive camera capabilities, advanced operating systems, sleek designs, and other exciting features, these smartphones are a top choice in the market. Whether you prioritize capturing stunning photos, shooting high-quality videos, or enjoying a seamless user experience, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series has you covered.

Remember great power comes with great responsibility and having this powerful tool for content creation gives us the responsibility to produce well-rounded content for the viewers!