Love, Pinkcheeks: 2014

My Hobby Highlights for 2014

It's been a great, great 2014 for me and my wonderful hobby! I hope you like this timeline I made to celebrate the milestones/happenings in my life as a toy photography enthusiast!

Let's all look forward to 2015!

Happy New Year everyone! :)

10:31 AM
2 Comments

First Look: Nendoroid Mankanshoku Mako

kill la kill

Oh my, it's been a while since I updated my figure blog. I was active on my Facebook page, but I haven't been able to post anything here due to work and events. There's a backlog of toy photos for me to edit! LOL. Now, it's also been like, a month since I got this Nendoroid which I'm gonna show you guys! I was so excited when I got her, but then it was only later when I took her to a photoshoot... the shame.

Mako was mad at me for this verrryyy late post.

Anyway, here's Nendoroid Mankanshoku Mako! I got her together with Ryuko-chan from Hubbyte Toy Store. Oh, I also remember getting Satsuki too, and since it's taking forever for her to arrive, Ryuko might have to wait as well too. I have an epic shoot just for them! :D

Say hello to Mako-chan!

Mako's an instant PO the moment Kahotan showed a preview of this lovely nendoroid. To those who didn't know Mako-chan, I highly recommend you to watch Kill la Kill and get entertained by her antics! XD She's Ryuko-chan's hyperactive bestfriend and getting her together with Ryuko is a must! (add Satsuki-chan too XD)

Mako comes with Guts of course! They look so cute!

Mako: "Chotto matteeee Ryuko-chan!!!"

Ryuko: "What?"

Mako: "What the hell are you eating?!"

Ryuko: "It's already dinner! I'm hungry!"

Mako: *grabs burger and throws it* "You should eat THIS instead!"

Mako: "Those unidenditifiable stuff in that croquettes can make you and Senketsu stronger, you know!"

Senketsu: "Don't eat it, Ryuko! o.O"

Then after forcing Ryuko to eat those croquettes, Mako when out with Guts to play outside. I happen to catch a short glimpse of the sunset sky and it gave a warm glow to this photo below. I like outdoor photography the most! :D

Walking with Guts on a cozy afternoon.

Jump, Guts, Jump!!!

Mako got tired from playing with Guts, I caught her sleeping in the shade here.

I designed a simple set similar to Mako-chan's house here. I wanted a cozy feel for their house, and I'm gonna use it again for my next shoot, that's when I get Satsuki that is. ;)

See you again on my next post!

Love,

Pinkcheeks

4:02 AM
6 Comments

Mayoi Goes Places: Kawasan Falls

figma

It has been a while since Mayoi went on a trip with me, so last weekend, I brought her to Cebu to get in touch with nature again! This time, we went to see Cebu's famed Kawasan Falls.

Being a huge waterfalls lover, I've always wanted to see how beautiful this is. That crystalline blue water looked so unreal in pictures, but when I went there, I was surprised...it really is THAT blue!

Even the shallowest part of the stream shows how blue the water is, almost like the ocean!

This is why I love nature so much! <3 p="">

My travel buddy seems so excited to go on a nature trip again!

Ahh! It's my second waterfall!

Mayoi: "Look, Pinkcheeks-san, the water is so blue! Can I swim here?"

Me: "Ummm.. No."

"Can you take my picture instead?"

Me: "Hey, we have to go..."

Mayoi: "but I wanna swim..." *sulks*

Here's another take of Kawasan Falls' catchbasin, you could see how blue the water is! Mayoi loves it so much, we can't wait to go on another nature trip again! :) See you on my next post!

Love, Pinkcheeks

3:04 PM
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Love, Pinkcheeks at ArchCon 2014

archcon

I've always liked going to toy conventions. It's fun, and I like seeing all things anime from cosplays, figures, to cute anime merchandise. Though I don't consider myself as a big anime enthusiast that much (I only knew a few anime titles hahaha), being a part of a major toy convention is such a big feat for me!

My poster for ArchCon hahaha!

I was invited by VAFC as a guest for this year's ArchCon2014, where I get to exhibit my collection and talk about a few things in toy photography. ArchCon is an annual event held in Cebu and it's very much similar to ToyCon here in Manila, where all things pop culture gather for a day. The event was held at the Activity Center in Ayala Cebu last October 25th, 2014.

As far as I remember before getting there, I knew I'm gonna be interviewed, I was surprised that it's gonna be onstage, infront of hundreds of people! O.O I got really shy at first, but it's all for toy photography and my group, VAFC, I'm in!

Now, VAFC (Visayas Anime Figure Collectors) is a group of figure collectors started out last year by Prince and Arnold out of just a quick chat about a certain fig. Sensing that spark of interest coming in, they decided to form a group dedicated to anime enthusiasts and figure collectors alike. They regularly have meetings, where they bring their figures for everyone to see.

I also get to talk to one of the founders of VAFC, Prince, to share a little background about the group:

How/When did VAFC started? Who were the founders?

Prince: VAFC started at about a year ago. Sometime around September if my memory serves me right. That time, we were looking around Cebu shops that sell figures but to no avail found any that do sell legit figures.What's really funny is that our encounter with Warren ( owner of Wrenhobbi ) is that

his ad popped out at Facebook. And Arnold was curious enough to click the ad and there we have it. Everything followed.

It was also Arnold Sy who founded and created the group. We were talking about the groups that we had already joined and told him to create a new one for ourselves focusing on just Cebuano collectors.

Do you regularly held meetings? What do you usually do/talk about during meetings?

Prince: Meetings. Yes! It was not until Abigail joined the group where she would push us to gather so we could interact and share our collection between

members as well. At that time, meetings were merely plans as we had little members to start with. Then, came Nunzio, James, Michael John, Roland and the rest of the gang! We usually hang out and meet at Tomo Cafe which is located at Talamban, Cebu.

We usually chat about the new figures, releases, admire each other's collection and just kid around or take photographs. Nothing serious. All to ease out and release stress.

How did you guys prepare for this year's ArchCon?

Prince: Wow! Archcon! It was truly an overwhelming opportunity that Nunzio gave us the opportunity to prepare and exhibit for this year's ArchCon.

I feel like I needed to reach and help out but it was quite hard for me and some of us as we were busy with our work as well. But, it turned out to be good. It also gave birth to the panda logo which everyone can see at our page right now. Abigail, on the other hand, helped a lot on our group's preparation. We invited over friends including Warren and you, Scher!

Nunzio set out and showed us what our tables will look like and we then planned out what to bring so as to fit everything for the community to see.

Given the success of the exhibit at ArchCon, do you guys plan to join other figure display events?

Prince: Yes! It's wonderful don't you think? As long as it is within our reach, our group will definitely be there! :)

What's your message to others who would like to venture into figure collecting?

Prince: Figure collecting is truly a wonderful hobby. I admit that it is an expensive hobby but you just have to keep in mind to be responsible with whatever hobby you are getting into. Love it & appreciate it! Keep it in moderation and remember that you have family and friends who you also want to be with aside from collecting.

That way, you can balance the fun in life and responsiblity altogether! :D

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So, I arrived in Cebu at 6pm on Thursday, Oct 23 and Bige and James took me in on the first day. I love this couple because they share the same love for anime and figures and I'm like, oh I want a relationship like that too LOL. I feel thankful that they adopted me in for the night and that I could take photos of their lovely, lovely figures! I saw my holygrail figures in person!

Touching Belldandy is like dream~

Taking her photo is a different story!

I also get to take pictures of Ryuko-chan! OMG!

And that lovely Saber Lily!

I was so happy when they showed me their collection, I'm like, oh wow, I wanna take photos of them all! But then again, so many figures, so little time! I need to rest because I have a trip in the morning. :)

A DAY IN ARCHCON 2014

That's my photo right there! (Photo by MrYap Productions)

Fast forward to Saturday October 25th, I went to ArchCon early in the morning to help with unboxing the figures that's gonna be on display. There's this sea of boxes everyone and I'm overwhelmed at the quantity of the figures that the group brought that day! Some weren't opened yet, so I get a hand in unboxing them, that damn smell of newly opened PVC is so good!

We got a tables full of figures from various toy makers like Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya, Revoltech, Alter, and many more! I bought my babies, the GSC exclusives to display them together with other figures. It's my second time to participate as an exhibitor (first one was Halloween Miku last Cosmania) so I'm really happy seeing them on display. :D

A table full of POP figures!

Kyojin-san was there!

Oh, and I saw Lum!

The group also put in a great effort in creating dioramas for the figures. Check out this court scene where Heichou is beating Eren to a pulp!

Kaga and Akagi eating, as always. XD (photo by MrYap Productions)

..and then there's Belldandy with HolyBell, my holy grail figure!

The guys from Arigatoys also came in for a visit! We truly appreciate their support!

Here's the set of instructions for the lottery.

I gave out my photocards as part of the lottery prizes!

This little girl won the major prize for the lottery! Everyone was stunned! (photo by MrYap Productions)

The highlight of this event for me is the part where I got interviewed onstage to talk about toy photography! I didn't pass the chance to share my love for this wonderful hobby and I also get to promote my Love, Pinkcheeks in Cebu! Oh what a joy! ^_^

I brought Momohime to show her off

I was nervous at first, but then I just kept on talking and talking hahaha!

Achievement unlocked for me! I felt so happy afterwards that I reached another milestone in my hobby life! I feel so thankful to ArchCon and VAFC for this opportunity! I'm also proud of the group for the successful exhibit during ArchCon, I saw their dedication and effort during preparation and I must say all that hard work really paid off! Good job guys! I'd definitely want to join the next ArchCon event again!