Thread by @BintuRita

Let's talk about POKEVERSE PH
THE POKÉMON THEMED WONKA-DASHCON-FYRE FESTIVAL of the PHILIPPINES

Let me take you on a day by day journey through the PREMIER POKÉMON EXPO!

‼️A MEGA THREAD‼️

I went into this EXPO for free because I won a contest they held for free tickets and a chance to sing with Jason Paige.

I’ve been a passionate Pokémon fan all my life.

I went into this experience /genuinely/ trying to enjoy whatever the EXPO had to offer.

POKEVERSE was an EXPO held in the Philippines from May 31 - June 2.

It was advertised as a "POKÉMON CONVENTION FOR FANS BY FANS"

The EXPO's main draw was their special guests Veronia Taylor (4kids Ash VA) and Jason Paige (Pokémon theme song singer)

Suspiciously, their slogan seems to be copied from an existing Pokémon convention in the Philippines “Pokécon”, a yearly convention organized by the biggest Pokemon group in the Philippines, Pokémon Philippines.

Pokeverse is presented by brands Kaloscope and Frigga

Kaloscope is an NFT company based in Dubai that specializes in VR and AR technology (Its like those VR chat art galleries with nfts)

Frigga is a lucky charms shop that sells Feng Shui Objects.

In the Philippines the standard entry fee of most cons are under P500 ($9) with some having free entrance.

An example is TOYCON which charges P500 for a day pass.

Prices that exceed this range usually mean that the ticket comes with freebies and perks.

For Pokeverse, a standard Day pass is 1000 pesos.

This grants " access to all general areas and activities, including panels, workshops, and merchandise booths."

(let's keep this in mind for later)

The VIP tickets cost P6000 ($102) for a day
Perks for this ticket type include:

1 Limited edition Pokeverse collectible card (unique per day)

1 Free Pokeverse T-Shirt

1 Free Trainer Quest Pass (based on day of ticket)
(REMEMBER THIS)

1 Free Headliner Signature

The three day ticket costs P19500 ($331)
4 Signature and Photo Op Coupons for Headliner of Choice
2x Limited Edition Collectible Cards
1 Free Limited Edition Pokeverse T Shirt
5 Raffle Tickets for the Pokeverse Limited Edition Hat
1 Free Trainer Quest
4 Headliner Signatures

According to Pokeverse's ticket information. The tickets prices are justified by promised EXPO SECURITY, CROWD CONTROL and freebes; as well as to cover the cost of venue rental and to accommodate the international guests.

(let's also remember this for later!)

Days before the EXPO, Pokeverse revealed schedules for each of the days.

Aside from the confusing AM PM military time system, it can be seen that there are lots of events and panels throughout the days.

Pokeverse also posted a floor plan of their convention where you can find the different booths.

Interestingly, only the sponsors are named in this floor plan

Less than a week before the EXPO, Cosplay contests are announced.

Cosplayers are also offered an entrance discount, however one of the Pokémon cosplayers was denied a 50% because staff didn't recognize his character.

It was also advertised that children under five are granted free entry, however, the physical tickets for the child pass say that its for ...Children under 12?

Which conflicts with the paid child ticket, that the website describes is designed for ...Children under 12

When the day of the EXPO came, issues arose due to the multiple discount announcements, confusing ticket booth placement, and ticket information not properly related to staff.

Some people were given multiple bands for day 1 after showing they had a 3 day pass despite the day bands being different colors per day.

Day 2 bands are supposed to be BLUE

Day 3 bands are supposed to be GREEN

Others were told by the ticket booth staff that their walk in VIP tickets were less important but the same price as the online tickets.
These people would have to pay P2000 ($34) to get signatures from the headliners.

FINALLY, we go onto DAY 1 (FRIDAY):

The tickets were sold in a booth away from the EXPO called the ticketing area. There were no signs or markers stating you had to buy your ticket here first so many people lined up at the entrance had to be redirected here.

The ribbon cutting ceremony that was supposed to start at 10am took place at 12am. There were a lot of attendees that came early and they had to 2 hours or more.
They were making bows during this time to add to the ribbons at the front.
Is that what they meant by ribbon cutting?

When the EXPO finally opened, guests were greeted by a large barren space.

In the middle are displays of peoples private collections

The "starter wall" is 1 Bulbasaur plushie, 1 Charizard plushie, 1 Squirtle plushie, and a bunch of Pikachu plushies.

There was no giant Pikachu.

Walking further into the con we see a VERY LARGE frigga booth (as two vendor booths in the the official merch area) selling lucky charms based on the chinese zodiac.

It seems to be located in the space in front of the Arken booth but was not indicated in the map

When I visited the resting area, there were no indicators or signs encouraging people to stay there.

Most con goers ignored this area and went straight to the main stage to sit.
Some thought this was an extension of frigga, as the brown stage resembled a Chinese bagua mirror

At around 11am(pm?) it was stated that there would be a Pokemon Themed Baking activity

It wasn't an activity. It was just a promotion for a cake and drink printing service.

The same was true for both live sketching classes, which were not classes but two guys taking commissions

The Main stage (The Pika-Stage) is where the guest panels took place.

It was a very professional setup and the interview was very heartwarming and nostalgic.

However, the conhead called up Veronica's daughter on stage impromptu and she seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Enter THE RAVIOLI MAN.

This guy was eating sauce off a ravioli jar in his pocket. It seemed to be a filthy frank style prank there there were children under five running around the space and he smelled ROT.

Security refused to do anything despite several congoer's reports.

Eventually RAVIOLI MAN was escorted out but only after he took a sponge and started rubbing it on one of the sponsors booths.

Though later in the EXPO, security still let him back in.

I thought ticket rates were going into Crowd control and security?

When I finally got to the artist alley I noticed it was extremely downsized compared to the Pokeverse floorplan map.
There were four tables in the middle that were supposed to be activity areas but since live sketching was just two guys it was basically useless.

There was also an art gallery that was selling pokemon paintings but for some reason their table was like, 5 meters away from art gallery

The prices of the paintings weren't even on the paintings, they were at the table so you had to walk the stretch to even check

For more information about how indie artists who were interested in the event were treated by the organizers, please check out this insightful thread by DANN:

For information about how indie artists were treated by the organizers of this EXPO please check out this statement by FIBER FAIRY PH
facebook.com/share/ZHKQq8e8…

DAY TWO BEGINS.

Merchants are told the night before they will open an hour late. Merchants are understandably upset that they will lose an hour of business.

This is announced to attendees at 9:30 IN THE MORNING. half an hour before the scheduled opening.

Ticket wise, THEY SOMEHOW RAN OUT OF BANDS.
My theory is because they kept giving them to kids. Its Saturday, and kids under twelve (or five?) get in for free.

They started STAMPING STARS on PEOPLE.

THEORETICALLY IF YOU OWNED A RED STAR STAMP
YOU COULD GET IN FOR FREE.

After getting a star and finally entering the venue you are greeted with the most marvelous sight....

Welcome back dashcon.

"Try the inflatables! Theyre fun"

An organizer says to me while I watch in amazement. The pumps inflating these beauties sound like jets.

Because this is the day of the first cosplay convention. This immediately clashed with the influx of child attendees.

If you were a costume, or a onesie, there a guarantee that at least one child would start following you around or grabbing your clothes and props

The resting area on the green grass was scrapped, and all beanbags were moved near the chairs on the main stage.

This is the new "rest area."

Despite Pokeverse recently being advertised as a cosplay event, there was no lounge. So cosplayers started changing HERE

FOR SOME REASON THE CAMERA CREW WOULD NOT LEAVE THE REST AREA ALONE.

THERE WERE CHILDREN LYING DOWN ALONE ON BEANBAGS AND COSPLAYERS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR OUTFITS IN THIS AREA.

THIS PLACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NO PHOTOGRAPHY ZONE BUT CAMERAMEN IN THIS EVENT WERE RELENTLESS

The camera crew was filming EVERYTHING.

It felt like 1984.

Cameraman were shoving their cameras up cosplayer's faces, people who were sitting down to draw.

AND MOST EGREGIOUSLY, UNATTENDED MINORS WHOSE PARENTS WERE GETTING FOOD.

THEY WOULD EVEN SAY HELLO AND MAKE THEM LOOK

I felt so sorry about the host of this event because she was trying her best.

There were points where she was not given a mic and she had to SHOUT over the congoers.

She was asked to perform duties outside of the itinerary.
She was STILL extremely professional!

In the meet and greet booth with Veronica Taylor and Jason Paige.

I learned you could get a selfie for P500, an autograph for P1500 and both for P2000

BRO WHATS THE POINT OF A VIP. IF I PAID P5020 I COULD HAVE JUST GOTTEN THE VIP EXPERIENCE ANYWAY

When I was lining up for Veronica Taylor, she suddenly went to the back of the line and personally informed the man in the back that he had to tell people the line ended here and would resume at 5:30.

That man looked like he wasn't prepared to do that!

So I just went behind him and started telling people about Veronica's schedule! Then people started ASKING ME ABOUT RATES. AND I JUST STARTED ANSWERING THEM.

FOR THAT ENTIRE SEQUENCE I BECAME STAFF!! OMG!

OKAY BUT SERIOUSLY WHY DIDN'T THEY STAFF UP THE GUEST OF HONOR????

After performing my staff duties, I headed over to the main activity area to watch the cosplay contest. It went great actually, and all the contestants put on a good show.

The cosplay org that this activity was outsourced too didn't seem to know much about Pokemon but that's ok

They brought in Myrtle and she was cool and funny! She even performed with Jason Paige. It was actually fun and exciting. Jason is a true showman and really knows how to work with other people

The Main stage really was the best part of the con
Maybe it should have been a concert

DAY 3 Oh buddy.. here we go.

It was announced on facebook for the second time that the program was starting an hour late from promised. BUT AT LEAST THEY POSTED AT MIDNIGHT!! HURRAY!!!

OH YEAH! REMEMBER TRAINER QUEST?
I TOLD EVERYONE TO REMEMBER TRAINER QUEST

WELL ITS POKEVERSE'S STAMP RALLY!

FOR REFERENCE HERES WHAT A REAL STAMP RALLY LOOKS LIKE (and the mechanics!) This rally was organized by artists boothing in Pokecon last year!
#PKMNTrainersStampRally

FOR THIS TRAINERS QUEST. YOUR TASK. IS TO TAKE NINE PHOTOS OF EVERY BOOTH
EXCEPT THE /MAKE A WISH BOOTH/ (REMEMBER THIS.)

DAWG. I HAD TO TURN INTO A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER WITH BRAND DEALS JUST SO I COULD GET A P1000 GIFT CERT FROM MINISO.

CAN I AT LEAST HAVE A PLUSHIE...

WELL OF COURSE I DID IT! FOR THE CULTURE! SO I COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO!

Support Fiber Fairy PH on facebook!

#Pokeverse @PokeverseOfficial #Pokeverse2024

After I successfully posted 9 photos. I had to be escorted around the con by a con organizer because PEOPLE WEREN'T TOLD THEY HAD TO SIGN ANYTHING??

THE GUY BRINGING ME AROUND HAD TO GIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO THEM THAT IF PEOPLE POSTED PICS THEY HAD TO SIGN.. POOR GUY

After taking 9 photos and tagging multiple brands I heard the announcer shout out an activity that was actually in the schedule!!

LIVE DIGITAL PAINTING CLASS!

I rushed to the artist alley to sign up!

THEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS A DIGITAL ART CLASS FOR LITERAL BABIES.

They also didnt provide any tablets or art devices for kids who didnt have them. They had to ALREADY OWN an IPAD and STYLUS. THE ART PROGRAM REQUIRED WAS NOT MENTIONED

THE POOR TEACHER WAS ONLY PREPARED TO TEACH AUTODESK SKETCHBOOK. AND SHE WAS TRAINED TO TEACH OLDER KIDS IN A GROUP

THE KIDS IN THE TABLE WERE NINE YEARS OLD.

AND THEN THIS NEW KID TRIED TO USE MY IPAD BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS PROVIDED BY THE EVENT.. POOR BABY HAD TO LEAVE!

WE HAD A GOOD TIME THOUGH! THE TEACHER WAS GOOD HUMORED, ADAPTABLE, AND DID HER BEST TO TEACH!

I LENT A HAND TOO IN MANAGING THE KIDS!

IN THE END ME AND MY FRIEND JUST DREW THE KIDS WITH THEIR FAVORITE POKEMON BECAUSE WE WERE TOO ADVANCED FOR THE CLASS!

I came back for the cosplay contest.
It was open category so it was mostly non pokemon cosplay
My friend went as a Gijinka of Ogerpon though (BASED?!)

The host of the event didnt know what a gijinka was and thought it was the name of the pokemon! That was kinda funny buts its ok

Then came the panels again!
Again, Veronica and Jason did wonderfully. A lot of people had a very good time at this con because of their interactions with the guests. This part is something that I can appreciate about this event.

The entire day three, I was anticipating to sing with Jason Paige. I won second place in a singing contest. Thats how I got here for free in the first place!

Through all the days I asked staff. "Hey, can I have a practice session with Mr. Paige?"

I never got an answer!

Then, after the panels. I was approached by organizational staff and they told me.

"You will go up the stage with Mr. Paige and the other winners after the Make-a-Wish segment"

The what now?

Now, I know that Make-a-Wish was the charity that Pokeverse worked with for this event. But I had no idea they were part of the program.

Because it wasnt in the itinerary.

I looked up in Sheer. Horror.

Immunocompromised, terminally ill children were escorted onto the stage wearing medical face masks. One of them COULDN'T STAND (they had to get them a chair).

WHAT ON EARTH WAS POKEVERSE THINKING EXPOSING THESE KIDS TO AN ENTIRE CROWD OF PEOPLE??!?

THE KIDS HAD TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

ONE. BY. ONE.

THIS EVENT WAS LIVESTREAMED TO FACEBOOK. CAMERAS WERE ZOOMED INTO THESE CHILDRENS FACES SNAPPING PHOTO AFTER PHOTO.

I WAS SHELL SHOCKED. I WAS HORRIFIED ABOUT WHAT THEY DID TO THESE KIDS.

BUT I WAS PULLED ASIDE.

BECAUSE I HAD TO SING.

SO I GOT ON STAGE AND SANG WITH JASON PAIGE AND THE TWO OTHER WINNERS OF THE CONTEST.

THEY BROUGHT THEIR A GAME. WE ALL SANG WELL.

MY EYES COULDNT STOP DARTING AT THE MAKE A WISH KIDS AND MY FRIENDS SOBBING AT THE BACK OF THE VENUE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED.

WHEN THE PERFORMANCE FINISHED I WAS CONGRATULATED BY THE CONHEAD (who held my arm, when I went down the stage).

At this point I was dissociating.

THEN THEY TOLD US TO GO BACK UP THE STAGE WITHOUT JASON PAIGE BECAUSE WE'RE SINGING ON THE STAGE AGAIN. JUST US.

THE COSPLAY PEOPLE CAME UP ON STAGE AND THEY ANNOUNCED THE CONTEST WINNER.

AND THEY WANTED ME AND THE OTHER WINNERS TO BE THE INTERMISSION NUMBER BETWEEN THE CONTEST AND THE TCG FINALS.

SO WE DID IT. WE PERFORMED THE POKEMON THEMESONG AGAIN. JUST THE THREE OF US.

I WAS DISSOCIATING AT THAT POINT.
I WENT BACK TO MY FRIENDS AND I WAS JUST LOST.

WHY DID I COME HERE? JUST TO SUFFER?

I JUST CAME HERE FOR JASON PAIGE AND VERONICA TAYLOR. I WANTED TO GET A MARILL FOR MY COLLECTION.

OH MY GOD! THIS SUPPOSED TO BE IN A POKEMON CONVENTION!!

THE CONVENTION ORGANIZERS WENT UP TO ME TO GIVE ME MY REWARDS FOR SINGING AND JOINING THE "TRAINERS QUEST"

I GOT P2500 WORTH OF GIFT CERTIFICATES TO MINISO SPECIFICALLY.

AFTER 3 SEPERATE GIFTINGS FROM THE STAFF. THEY ALSO INSISTED I WRITE MY PHONE NUMBER? TWICE? TO CLAIM?

AT THIS POINT I JUST WANTED TO GO HOME. BUT WHILE I WAS SOBBING THEY TAPPED MY SHOULDER TO TELL ME THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY I WOULD SING AGAIN AND I SHOULD "STANDBY"

I DIDNT END UP SINGING AGAIN, BUT I DID REPEATEDLY BEG THE STAFF TO TAKE DOWN PICTURES OF MY FRIEND WHO DID NOT CONSENT T BE FILMED.

MY BEST FRIEND HAS SCOPOPHIBIA AND AND THE STAFF WAS INFORMED BY DAY ONE. BUT THEY STILL POSTED VIDEOS WITH THEM AND LIED THEY WOULD NOT POST

THEY PROMISED TO TELL THE POST PRODUCTION STAFF AND TAKE DOWN THE PICTURES.

I LEFT THE CON THINKING THEY WOULD DO IT.

I HOPED AND PRAYED THAT THE KIDS DIDN'T GET ANYTHING FROM THE AUDIENCE.

I BARELY SLEPT.

IN THE MORNING. I LOST IT.

I TOOK DOWN EVERY SINGLE POST I MADE IN PROMOTION OF POKEVERSE.

I TOOK DOWN MY CONTEST ENTRY.

I MADE THIS STATUS ON MY ART PAGE ABOUT POKEVERSE. I LEFT AN HONEST REVIEW OF MY EXPERIENCE.

Pokeverse responded with this.

HEY POKEVERSE I THINK ITS EXPLICITLY CLEAR THAT I WANTED THE VIDEOS TAKEN OF MY LOVED ONES WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT TAKEN DOWN AND NOT THE VIDEO OF ME PERFORMING FOR YOU.

I WAS PREPARED TO BE VIDEOD. THEY WERE NOT! I DONT EVEN THINK THEY READ MY POST!

I AM NOT SURE OF THE LEGALITY OF POSTING dMS SO I WILL SUMMARIZE THEIR EXCUSES:
-SOWWY FOR DA DELAYS WE ONLY HAD TWO MONTHS TO PLAN
(EVEN IF THEY SOLD TICKETS 3 MONTHS BEFORE)
-SOWWY ABOUT THE VIDEOS WELL DO BETTER "NEXT TIME"
-THEY TOLD /ME/ TO PRIVATELY DM THE ORGANIZER

AT THE END. EVEN IF THEY WERE ALREADY APOLOGIZING.

EVEN IF THEY ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY SCREWED ME OVER.

THEY STILL WANTED ME TO PERFORM A TASK FOR THEM. OH RITA, CAN YOU TELL US HOW TO IMPROVE FOR NEXT CON? CAN WE KEEP IN CONTACT SO WE CAN DO BETTER?

I TOLD THEM I WILL ONLY SUBMIT FEEDBACK PUBLICLY.

SO HERE AM.

HERE'S YOUR FEEDBACK POKEVERSE.

TAKE DOWN THOSE VIDEOS OF UNATTENDED MINORS.
TAKE DOWN THOSE VIDEOS OF CONGOERS WHO DIDNT CONSENT TO BE FILMED.
TAKE DOWN THE LIVESTREAM WITH THE SICK KIDS YOU DRAGGED ON STAGE.

OH AND THE ORGANIZERS HAD THE AUDACITY TO CALL THE LOCAL COMMUNITY "HATERS" BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO DISTANCE THEMSELF FROM THIS EVENT.

NO POKEVERSE, THEY WERE NOT BEING HATERS. THEY SAW THE RED FLAGS. AND THEY JUST CHOSE NOT TO AFFILIATE.

I WENT TO POKECON LAST YEAR AND YOU KNOW WHAT I GOT? AN AZUMARILL BAG.

THE ACTUAL CONVENTION BY FANS FOR FANS BROUGHT THE LOCAL ART MARKET COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

THEY BROUGHT COSPLAYERS TOGETHER

I MADE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

IN CONCLUSION.