There’s no one place or event that can boast having hosted a “Viking queen,” a Swiss polyglot with an obsession for aliens and an ex-bartender who’s blazing a trail as a female motorcyclist-adventurer-TV host.
We’re talking about History Con (HCon), which went full swing one recent weekend at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Dubbed “Manila’s biggest entertainment convention,” the three-day event was topbilled by the gorgeous actress Katheryn Winnick of the arrestingly violent “Vikings” saga; Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, “Ancient Aliens” series producer and expert; and tatted motorbike enthusiast Jaime Dempsey, host of travel show “Ride N’ Seek.”
It’s completely fine if these TV celebs, or their shows, are unknown to you because—and this we say with much emphasis—HCon wasn’t built just for their fans.
Neither was it built exclusively for history buffs, though there was plenty of history exhibited on the floor, be it for sale, to be ogled and admired, to jazz up the ’Gram, or to plug services such as vintage car restoration and upkeep of motorcycle classics.
On its second year, HCon has clearly defined what it is: a convention for collectors, hobbyists, creators, artists, artisans, enthusiasts, fangirls and fanboys, experts, researchers, geeks and nerds. But it doesn’t end there.
It’s a space to flaunt one’s talent in unique sports (bladed weapon sparring, Juego Todo) and activities like Airsoft War Games, Knightfall longsword duels, creating Sumobots, building complex Lego dioramas.
HCon is a treasure trove of vintage finds, repurposed rare objects (Vitrum Upcycled Bottles and Crafts), fascinating artwork (Ram Mallari’s sculptures of metal and found objects) and customizable items, from leather goods engraving to habitats for pet reptiles.
The convention’s best asset? It’s all-embracing, just like the broad spectrum of shows and programs on History Channel and all its affiliate cable networks.