Just last February this year, I went to Cebu for Otakufest 2019. That is my second time to do so – and I learned a lot. This November, I’m about to get back to Cebu – this time to witness ARCHcon 2019 (Anime, Role-Playing Games, Comics and Hobbies Convention).

I know I’ve written about the 15th ARCHcon last year, so let me quote what I mentioned before: “What started as an open-to-the-public school activity of the then Sacred Heart School — Jesuit ‘Alternate Hobbies Club’ has grown to cater hobbyists from Cebu and the Visayas region.”

ARCHcon 2019 is a major event happening in the Queen City of the South. Dubbed as “Cebu’s biggest annual convention with a cause,” ARCHcon Cebu boasts an average 3,000 visitors from Cebu and nearby areas. This annual hobby event provides a platform for raw skills and talent in the Visayas-Mindanao region.

ARCHcon 2019 Event Highlights

This year’s highlights are guest cosplayers Knitemaya from Australia and Boiledcurry from Singapore. Both guests have been to the country – Knitemaya in 2017 and Boiledcurry just recently.

The main stage will be filled with excitement with its lineup of activities in store for everyone:

Main Stage Day 1Main Stage Day 2
eSports (Finals)
League of Legends, Mobile Legends, DotA 2, Tekken, Super Smash Bros., Special Force 1v1 FirstBlood Tournament
VR Beat Saber
Anisong Competition
Cosplay Competitions (Solo, Group)
Projection Mapping Show and Performances Projection Mapping Show and Performances

ARCHcon also has the Hobby Lobby which puts workshops and meetups on the top agenda. Chances are, this is where I will be roaming around the most.

Hobby Lobby Day 1Hobby Lobby Day 2
Meet and Greet for Guests Meet and Greet for Guests
Streamers’ GatheringHobby Swap Meet
Cosplay WorkshopFigma Workshop
Illustration WorkshopProsthetics Workshop
Graphic Design and Brand TalkCosplay Photography Workshop
Cosplay Makeup Demo
Solar Lamp Assembly Solar Lamp Assembly

You also need to prepare for the 45-booth Artist Alley, which is already posted on Facebook:

Beneficiaries of ARCHcon 2019

As this event is for the benefit of several organizations in Cebu, ARCHcon also announced the beneficiaries who will be blessed by the participants of different competitions:

Main BeneficiarySacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu Blue Plate Project
VR Beat Saber CompetitionGawad Kalinga
Cosplay CompetitionOne Hour to be Heroes
Art CompetitionLight of Hope PH
Event BeneficiaryB3D Printing

A push for a digital and paperless ARCHcon

This year’s ARCHcon theme is “ARCH Light,” which gives a futuristic feel to the event, perhaps something we should look forward to.

Speaking of digital, the organizers are pushing for the event to be paperless with their digital ticketing system which uses facial recognition technology. This has been formally launched at a press conference held at the DTI Negosyo Center inside the University of the Philippines-Cebu last October 29, Tuesday.

Also in the said press conference is the formal launch of the partnership between ARCHcon and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Representing the DTI in Region 7 is Project Technical Assistant Mr. Christian Angel Basa who conveyed the agency’s appreciation in this new collaboration.

To wit, the creative sector is one of the many national priorities of the DTI. Mr. Basa said that through the partnership with ARCHcon Cebu, DTI can reach out to the creative industry, which is in its mid-brick and mortar stage, full of young entrepreneurs and hobbyists which they consider as the future of the country.


ARCHcon 2019 will be held at the Convention Hall of JCentre Mall in Mandaue City, Cebu on November 16-17, 2019 from 10am to 7pm.

Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/ARCHcon2019 or at Kawaii Cafe at the ground level of JCentre Mall Mandaue, Cebu. For more updates, like ARCHcon Cebu on Facebook.

keepsakes. is a media partner for ARCHcon 2019. See you soon!

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