Geek+Pop brings together collectors, trading card game players, artists, and toy enthusiasts
THIS YEAR marks the third edition of the Geek+Pop Philippine International Collectibles and Card Show, the biggest gathering of collectors, trading card game players, artists, and toy enthusiasts in the country. Taking place on Oct. 17 and 18 at SPACE in One Ayala, Makati City, it is also the tentpole event for the rise of trading card shows over the past few years, offering a dedicated space for various pop culture lovers to celebrate their interests.
While many collectibles conventions and pop-up markets have thrived in malls all over the Philippines — sometimes cropping up on a weekly basis — an event this big reflects how Filipinos have come to embrace their hobbies even amid turbulent times.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, political and economic turmoil, and a saturation of pop culture-related events, organizers like Geek+Pop continue to cater to the steady growth of fan communities.
THE EVOLUTION OF FAN CULTURE
“After the pandemic, there was really a boom in events. We caught that boom, with Geek+Pop’s first event in 2023, centered on Magic: The Gathering. From there, everybody tried to run with the tide,” said Joal Cabrera, founder and head organizer of Geek+Pop, in a virtual interview with BusinessWorld.
As a creative director, advertising professional, and proud pop culture guy, he noted that different fan communities got their time to shine after the pandemic. “It was cosplay first, then there was a lull, and video gaming took over. Now, it’s all about trading cards and collectibles. Overall, there’s growth. Weekly, there are about seven events in different malls each week,” he said.
He pointed out that toys are a constant, because they cater to a market that has more purchasing power. Trading cards, however, have expanded from a hobby market to an investment market.
“You can buy a Pokémon card graded 10 and sit on it for two years. Money will come in,” he explained. “For those in it purely as fans, they want escapism. Their money goes there because it gives them something tangible to play with or display.”
The centerpiece of this year’s Philippine International Collectibles and Card Show is a massive trading card game marketplace featuring more than 200 sellers offering cards, sealed products, collectibles, and other hobby treasures. The event is co-presented by High Market Online, one of the country’s premier local game stores and a leading provider of trading card game singles.
Major sponsors Gashapon Bandai Official Philippines and PlayAsia will also be bringing in some of the biggest brands, products, and experiences in the hobby and pop culture space — including gashapon (miniature toys from vending machines).
KINDS OF COLLECTORS
Mr. Cabrera said that there are different types of collectors. There are those hunting for a specific item, those looking for sealed products, those starting a new collection, and those simply searching for an unexpected big find.
“The market’s growing, so much so that we actually did an event in Cagayan De Oro because Metro Manila was already exploding and overloaded with events,” he said.
Geek+Pop will also host multiple trading card game unboxings and tournaments featuring some of the biggest games in the hobby world, like Disney Lorcana, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon Trading Card Game, and Riftbound. There will be discussion panels and community gatherings for video games and tabletop games as well, such as Warhammer 40K, Pokémon GO, and Gundam Miniatures Tabletop.
“Geek+Pop is very broad. While our frontline is events, part of the business is content creation and our online store. And we don’t focus on just one fandom — we have cosplay, toys, collectibles,” explained Mr. Cabrera. “Our business model is people-powered, human-centric, and community-driven. We welcome even the smallest communities.”
The two-day event will feature Relentless Assault, a dedicated fighting video game tournament, with titles like Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, Tokon, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and Super Smash Bros. It’s open to tournament veterans, fighting game enthusiasts, and fans looking to watch high-level competition.
Meanwhile, a free-to-play video game area is for casual players who just want to pick up a controller and have fun.
OVERLAPS AND EXPANSION
For Mr. Cabrera, there is a natural overlap among various communities and fandoms.
“People who watch animé, for example, will not stop at that. They will buy merch, they will buy plushies, T-shirts, Nendoroid figures, maybe even statues. You become a collector. If a video game related to the IP comes out, you will buy that,” he explained. “Tabletop games, video games, trading card games also overlap. So, when we started Geek+Pop, we already knew about this and didn’t want to be cornered into one [arena].”
“We didn’t reinvent the wheel. We just saw it and told ourselves not to focus on one thing,” he added.
This year’s Philippine International Collectibles and Card Show will have an art market featuring original works by Filipino artists. There will also be a dedicated art area for children.
With the goal of cultivating a community of creatives in fandom, discussions and special segments will be held across the two days. Featured guests include filmmaker Treb Monteras and cosplay photographer Jay Tablante, and dedicated events include a meet-and-greet with former members of pop group MNL48 and a panel on Pinoy speculative fiction exploring local legends and myths.
Geek+Pop will also feature an Open Stage Hour, giving selected performers who sign up the opportunity to perform onstage. A cosplay photo battle will bring together talented cosplayers and photographers for a competition, with a special photo exhibit featuring previous winners and finalists.
EXPANDING OUTSIDE MANILA, PHL
Mr. Cabrera said that they are eyeing going to the regions, like they did in Cagayan de Oro, and outside of the Philippines to countries like Singapore where there are bigger untapped markets. Another long-term plan is to hold more pocket events.
“Pocket events are a good marketing activity for our tentpole events, which we hold every three or four months,” he said. “Growth comes from different areas: new users or new generations as well as reactivating old users.”
Geek+Pop will also be opening up other revenue streams outside of events. “We’re preparing to create an entertainment and media company. Aside from our online hobby store, the goal is to have content creation with an original IP called Geek+Pop Kids, geared towards children in collaboration with brands like Nickelodeon,” said Mr. Cabrera.
He added that what is important is how fandom and pop culture have the power to “connect people and generations.”
“We have a common ground. That’s what’s good about it,” he said. “We have different experiences, but we can share in something together.”
Geek+Pop 2026 Philippine International Collectibles and Card Show runs from Oct. 17 to 18 at SPACE at One Ayala, Makati City. Tickets are available at https://geekpop.helixpay.ph/. — Brontë H. Lacsamana