Here at the Brick Show, one of our aims is to offer our followers a glimpse of the best and most creative use of the LEGO brick both in the US and across the globe. The appeal of creating something new using LEGO seems to be universal to say the least as evidenced by locally arranged LEGO fan conventions and brick festivals all around the world. Last March, I mentioned in one of my previous posts that the Philippines is getting ready for its largest LEGO fan convention spearheaded by the Philippine LEGO Users Group, or PhLUG. Dubbed as Abrickadabra, the LEGO fan convention showcases the most creative MOCs, both from kids and adults alike, that also cleverly conveys the unique Filipino culture.
Frankly speaking, since the inception of Abrickadabra in 2015, I never had the opportunity of visiting this LEGO fan event for various reasons. So imagine my excitement when I was invited to PhLUG’s mini press event a couple of weeks ago to have an early look at what we can expect from the country’s largest gathering of LEGO fans.
The PhLUG is currently steered by its captain and founder Piper Protacio, who also happens to be the Philippines’ LUG Ambassador. His passion for the LEGO brick is seriously contagious! Speaking in behalf of PhLUG during the mini press event, Piper gave the attendees a glimpse of what will take place on the 27th as Abrickadabra 2017 kicks in.
First off, a little background about Abrickadabra. Now on its third year, it is PhLUG’s annual LEGO fan convention where original LEGO MOCs, building events, and informative LEGO building techniques are shared and discussed all in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie. It is by far, the largest LEGO fan convention in the Philippines, followed only by BRICKXhibit which is also organized by PhLUG and held usually in December. Every year, PhLUG strives to make Abrickadbra even better by adding more interactive, hands-on activities that cater not only to children and AFOLs, but to the general public as well. Its overarching goal is to promote the LEGO brick as a medium to channel one’s creativity and to see it not just a mere toy made of ABS plastic.
Piper went on to introduce the cool guys behind PhLUG’s SIGs or sub-interest groups, and on display during the press event were some of the MOCs that will be showcased during Abrickadabra. There are five SIGs under the PhLUG umbrella, namely:
- Force Legion, which specializes in Star Wars builds and other vehicles from the galaxy far, far away.
- Kingdoms, where medieval kings, pirates, and samurais rule.
- Sci-fi, where LEGO artisans give life to sci-fi characters, mechs and Steampunk creations.
- Urban, when it’s an urban jungle of LEGO bricks out there.
- Versus, where all the brick-built superheroes converge and clash.
Other than the creative minds behind this amazing MOCs, what caught my attention was how dedicated PhLUG is in giving budding LEGO MOCers (if I used the term correctly) a chance to show their creations. I’m glad to hear that more than just being an AFOL event, Abrickadabra also encourages children to create and take pride in their MOCs. Here’s a special shout out to Zion, Manuel and Gero for taking time to share and say something about their original LEGO builds. These kids will be a part of Abrickadabra’s Junior Builders where children age 12 and below will a have a spot in sharing their original LEGO creations. Here’s a sampling of what these kids can do.
To my surprise, present also during the press event was builder Mark Gotidoc whose LEGO Ideas entry, the LEGO Brickheadz Inside Out, was once featured in our list of 7 LEGO Brickheadz MOCs that will win your hearts. It was a pleasure chatting with him and learning more about his LEGO Ideas project. If you wish to support him as well as I do, you may head over at the LEGO Ideas website and cast your vote.
Other event highlights include a Vintage LEGO Corner where well preserved, LEGO classic sets from the 60s till the 80s will be put on display.
Sascha Olik, one of the most prolific LEGO builders in the country, will also be adding fun to the event by exhibiting his original Super Dimension Fortress Macross LEGO creation. The sheer scale and accuracy of this build – weighed in at 11,000 pieces of LEGO bricks – is absolutely stunning.
If these fascinating LEGO creations have piqued your interest for Abrickadabra 2017, then you might be thrilled to know more about the rest of the activities that PhLUG has lined up for this event. I’ll be covering that in my next instalment so be sure to keep tabs with us. So if you happen to be in Manila as you’re reading this, you might as well block your calendar this Saturday and pay a visit at the Promenade Hall in Greenhills, San Juan, Manila. Tickets will be sold at the venue for Php100, or roughly $2 each, and you may follow PhLUG’s official Facebook page for more updates leading to the event.
Special thanks to Piper and Chestnut for the rest of the photos.
Cool!