Sen. Manny Pacquiao named Comic Con Asia 2018 envoy

Another superhero film for Senator Manny Pacquiao? Why not!

At the launch of Comic Convention Asia 2018 at the City Club in Makati City last September 6, Pacquiao said that he was open to the idea of making another superhero movie in the future.

"Pwede pa rin naman....pag may time," said Pacquiao, when asked if he still wanted to do another movie about super hero, during an ambush interview on the same event.

Pacquiao said that movie and comic characters are close to his heart because he has done a superhero film entitled "Wapakman," an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival.

"Comic characters have a special meaning to me. Remember I played the role of 'Wapakman?' Nakalimutan n'yo na yata ang 'Wapakman?' " said the smiling Filipino boxing champ as the crowd cheered.

In the same movie, Pacquiao plays Magno Meneses who is torn between saving the world or staying with his children.

"My life has been an open book. Somehow, I can relate to these characters that we idolize. We hope to bring our talents in the comics industry to international enterprises," Pacquiao said in a speech.

The popular Filipino athlete said that the Comic Con Asia 2018 "will also bring the Philippines at the forefront of regional convention venues and an ideal tourism destination."

Pacquiao has also been named ambassador for Comic Con Asia 2018 as he lauded the talented artists, creators and producers behind the best comics, movies, series, manga, anime, toys, gaming and cosplay.

"No magnitude of this convention has been staged in the country. We hope to gather the best in comics from the Philippines and Asia," the People's Champ said.

Comic Con Asia 2018 was created as an event to showcase Filipino and Asian talents. Apart from international and regional celebrity guests, there will be plenty of industry panels during the convention.

"It is not just a meet-and-greet with famous actors and actresses. It is also a proper industry con where one can learn from the people behind the scenes," said Pauline Laping, event producer.

Laping said that what makes Comic Con Asia 2018 different is the great balance between international and Asian content.

"With the local Filipino audience, very-up-to-date with both American box-office hits and Japanese anime, for example, the Philippines is the best place to have a comic con that is uniquely Asian," she said.

Laping also said that Comic Con Asia 2018 is produced by PSL Entertainment and Nam Entertainment Group. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit Filipino men and women in uniform.

The Comic Con Asia 2018 will be held at the SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City on March 24-25, 2018. At the venue, the main floor will be divided into four zones: Manga and Anime, Comics, Toys and Gaming, and Movies, Series and Animation.

The main stage will be set up right in the center, so people won't miss a thing while they explore the many different booths and alleys.

Around the main stage will be a ring of booths called Cosplay Circle, with backdrops and other cosplay-related merchandise.

Cosplay MatchUp, a cosplay competition that evens the playing field for international, Filipino, gaming, and anime cosplayers, will be held throughout the two-day event.

In meeting room upstairs, there will be industry talks, panel discussions and workshops with experts.

Auction Hero is where collectors can bid on some of more serious collectibles available - limited edition items, rare finds, and exclusive signed merchandise.

The Great Filipino Graphic Novel contest will have veteran comic artists review original work in order to produce a truly Filipino work of comic art.

The Trading Guild is where one collector's junk becomes another collector's treasure, where they can swap unwanted items to finally complete their collections. - ROBERT REQUINTINA