The following write-up is an entry by long-time AFHUB member Rengie Galvez.

I’M JUST SAYING…

It was a few days back when Vader asked me if I was planning to hit the Hasbro Toy event over at the Mall of Asia and without batting the proverbial eyelash, I immediately said “maybe but probably not”. Heading towards Pasay (from Pasig) on a Saturday to see what would most likely be “nothing new” wasnt my idea of spending my downtime well. But then, I thought that it would be a good time to see some of my fellow collectors (it took me almost 5 minutes to pick this word over other less positive terms), I asked Vader and Phulboss if they wanted to meet up for lunch at the MOA anyway. Phulboss had with him an extra SDCC exclusive Giganta which I had agreed to buy and Vader had something to pass on to me as well so it was as good a time to meet as any.

When I got to Starbuck’s which was the meeting place, both Vader and Phulboss were already there and we immediately got to talking about customizing and some of its most “illustrious” proponents. Rediahs and his (definitely) better half arrived a few minutes later after which we proceeded to pick a place for lunch. It was actually funny that no one wanted to suggest a particular place and perhaps out of courtesy, (or severe hunger), Phulboss finally spoke up and suggested Gumbo’s to which we all said: “AMEN!” In the middle of lunch, Clark Ken and Evilclops followed and when those two come to a gathering, no conversation remains dispassionate! And so it was that we spent the next two hours talking toys in between gulps of Jambalaya, ribs and porkchop; from the customizers and their works of art, upcoming DCUC waves, to toy events and the unconscionable hoarders that gravitate towards them, and “roasting” our absent “colleagues”.

To say that conversations like this actually excite me is indeed an understatement. I truly appreciate the fact that I have met people who don’t look at me as an overgrown kid, or a geek who needs to get a life when I rant and rave endlessly about the attention to detail heaped upon a particular figure or b#$@h about the disappointing line up of an upcoming wave. Being a relative newcomer among them, it surprisingly didn’t feel like it mattered. They shared funny experiences with me like I had been there myself. Their little victories in a one of a kind find have become my vicarious victories as well. It was a time for unwinding shared by a bunch of guys who like Peter Pan, still refuse to grow up…and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. I had a good time through and through and I for one am looking forward to the next meet. Hopefully, it doesn’t take an uneventful toy event to bring us all together.

As we parted ways, I thought about little pleasures in life. And a good conversation about what you’re passionate ranks up there in that division. It was a Saturday well-spent in the company of fellow toy enthusiasts; colleagues; friends. Nope! Not a bad way to spend your downtime at all.

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