A World of Wonder in Every Brick: Wazzup Pilipinas at BrickConPH 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Makati, Philippines – In a city often consumed by hustle, noise, and the ever-relentless grind of daily life, there exists—if only for one magical weekend—a place where imagination reigns supreme, nostalgia comes alive in vivid color, and tiny plastic bricks become gateways to limitless creativity.

Welcome to BrickConPH 2025, the biggest LEGO® fan celebration in the country, now in full swing at the Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, running until Sunday, August 3. Organized by the ever-passionate Brick Traders' Club and powered by its enthusiastic BTCommunity, this year’s edition isn’t just an event—it’s a cultural movement fueled by childhood memories, adult passions, and a collective craving for creation.

And yes, Wazzup Pilipinas was right in the middle of it all.

Where Artistry and Engineering Collide

From the moment you step into the Activity Center, you're greeted by a galaxy of awe-inspiring creations—massive cityscapes, pop culture replicas, Star Wars battleships, anime icons, and fantasy kingdoms, all masterfully built brick by brick. It's an experience that instantly stirs the soul. We were especially drawn to the jaw-dropping work of Brick Artisan, whose stunning displays combine architectural finesse with storytelling genius. These builders aren’t just hobbyists—they're artists, engineers, and dreamers rolled into one.

More Than Just Toys: A Celebration of Community

Lego, to many, is a toy. But to those who gathered here, it’s a language, a lifestyle, and a form of self-expression. Whether you’re a die-hard collector, a curious first-timer, a parent bonding with their child, or an AFOL (“Adult Fan of LEGO”), BrickConPH welcomes you with open arms—and probably a mini-fig handshake.

Wazzup Pilipinas didn't just observe; we dived right in. We took countless photos and videos, interviewed legendary builders, engaged in playful games, chatted with cosplayers, and even got a bit carried away shopping at the Brick Bazaar, where rare sets and custom builds abound.

I walked away with a new LEGO® set—not just to add to my growing collection but to remind myself that it's okay, even necessary, to play. To lose track of time building something with your hands. To challenge your brain while indulging your inner child.

The Experience: Bricks, Bingo, and Beyond

BrickConPH 2025 isn’t merely a showcase—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of joy and innovation. Here's just a taste of what attendees can experience this weekend:

Epic LEGO® Exhibits showcasing mind-blowing fan builds

Brick Bazaar selling everything from vintage sets to custom minifigs

Builders’ Talks and Fan Meetups—share your passion, learn from the best

F1 and Kart Races built and raced by fans

Cosplay Competitions and Parades

Ceres' Brick Tees Contest for brick-themed fashionistas

Interactive Games, Spin Promotions, and Brick Bingo

Merch and Collectibles Galore—from anime plushies to 3D-printed goodies

And of course, photo ops at every turn

It’s free. It’s inclusive. It’s heartwarmingly Filipino. And it proves that creativity knows no age limit, no status, no boundary.

More Than Bricks—Building Memories

In a time when digital screens dominate our lives and instant gratification often trumps craftsmanship, events like BrickConPH are a gentle but powerful reminder: real creativity takes time, connection, and play.

LEGO®, and everything it stands for, is not just a toy. It is a medium of shared experience. A chance to bond with your child, your partner, your friends—or even strangers who become instant teammates. It’s therapy, it’s art, and for many, it’s the story of how they fell in love with building something meaningful again.

For me, it's a return to intellectual stimulation, creativity, and perhaps most importantly—fun.

A Standing Ovation to the Brick Traders’ Club

Kudos to the Brick Traders' Club, the beating heart of the BTCommunity, for creating a space where people from all walks of life can connect through a shared love for these humble bricks. Sponsored by Ceres Fruit Juice PH, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, McDonald's, MRM Bricksters, and more, this year’s BrickConPH has gone above and beyond to prove that “Everyone is awesome” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a lived experience.

So whether you're single, married, young, young-once, or somewhere in between—it’s not too late. Head to Ayala Malls Circuit Makati and be part of this brick-built spectacle before it closes on Sunday.

Final Thoughts:

As the Wazzup Pilipinas founder, I’ve been to countless expos, conventions, and community events—but BrickConPH 2025 stands out not just because of the bricks, but because of the hearts behind every build.

Come for the display. Stay for the stories. And maybe, just maybe, bring home a set to build your own adventure.

Because in a world that’s constantly falling apart, sometimes the best therapy is simply putting the pieces back together—one brick at a time.

Watch our BrickConPH 2025 coverage here: https://youtu.be/EQ-JgqpImv8?si=8gIpzoMPbhtkVqAO

Photos and more stories to follow at WazzupPilipinas.com

The Rhythm of Zarzuela: A Month-Long Celebration of Philippine Theatre's Rich Heritage

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Get ready to be transported to a world of music, drama, and passion as Instituto Cervantes and the University of Santo Tomas present "Zarzuela Viva," a month-long tribute to the iconic art form that has captivated the hearts of Filipinos for decades. From August 1 to 28, the Philippines will once again be immersed in the enchanting world of zarzuela, a musical genre that has left an indelible mark on the country's theatre scene.

A Legacy of Spanish Roots

Zarzuela, a treasured art form in the Spanish-speaking world, has been a staple of Philippine culture for centuries. As Nick Joaquin, a national artist for literature, once said, "Certainly, in no other art form, whether in English, Spanish, or Tagalog, has the Filipino shown himself so much at home; and in no other, since then, has he been able to establish such close rapport with the people." This month-long celebration is a testament to the enduring legacy of zarzuela in the Philippines.

A Month of Music and Drama

"Zarzuela Viva" promises to be an unforgettable experience, with a series of events that will showcase the best of zarzuela. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store:

- *Weekly Zarzuela Screenings*: Every week, audiences can enjoy screenings of classic zarzuelas, including "Tiempo de Zarzuela" by Cristina Otero Roth, "La del manojo de rosas" by Pablo Sorozábal, "El barberillo de Lavapiés" by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, and "El sobre verde" by Jacinto Guerrero.

- *Immersive Zarzuela Workshop*: From August 18 to 22, Spanish pianist Ramón Grau will conduct a 4-day workshop for advanced music students at the Conservatory of Music of UST. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a master!

- *Zarzuela-Sarswela Concert*: On August 26, the participants of the workshop will present a concert featuring pieces from classic Spanish zarzuelas and Philippine sarswelas. It's going to be a night to remember!

Where and When

Mark your calendars for the following events:

- Zarzuela screenings: Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros and University of Santo Tomas (UST)

- Zarzuela workshop: Conservatory of Music, UST (August 18-22)

- Zarzuela-Sarswela concert: Education Auditorium, UST (August 26)

Get Involved!

Don't miss out on the fun! Register for the Zarzuela-Sarswela concert and workshop by visiting the links below:

- Concert registration: (link unavailable)

- Workshop registration: Submit your CV to cultmni@cervantes.es

A Collaboration of the Best

"Zarzuela Viva" is a result of the collaboration between Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, the Conservatory of Music of UST, Teatro de La Zarzuela, and Intramuros Administration. This month-long celebration is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the enduring legacy of zarzuela in the Philippines.

So, get ready to be swept away by the rhythm and passion of zarzuela! Join us for this unforgettable celebration of Philippine theatre's rich heritage. 

For more information, visit Instituto Cervantes' website at (link unavailable) or follow them on Facebook at (link unavailable).

Murder, Secrets, and Sabong: Missing Cockfighters’ Families Drag Atong Ang to Court in Explosive Case

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

MANILA, Philippines – August 1, 2025

In a turn of events that could rattle the very foundations of the country’s high-stakes gambling underworld, families of the 34 missing sabungeros—cockfighters who vanished without a trace between April 2021 and January 2022—have taken their battle for justice to the legal arena. Their target? No less than controversial gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.

On August 1, murder and serious illegal detention charges were filed against Ang by the relatives of the missing men, marking what could be the beginning of one of the most explosive criminal trials in recent Philippine history.

“Mayroon namang witness... as the mastermind, as the head of a criminal organization,” declared Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, confirming that the government has credible testimony pointing to Ang as the alleged orchestrator of the disappearances.

The key witness in this legal drama is Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a former employee of Ang who has since turned whistleblower. Patidongan has claimed knowledge of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by Ang—one that abducted and possibly murdered dozens of men tied to the cockfighting scene. Even more chilling, he hinted that the real number of missing sabungeros could soar beyond a hundred.

In response, Ang has fiercely denied the allegations, branding Patidongan a liar and filing counter-charges, including slander. The tycoon insists he is being targeted by a disgruntled former employee with an agenda.

But for the families of the missing men, this isn’t about corporate feuds or personal vendettas. It’s about answers. It’s about closure. And most of all, it’s about justice.

Taal Lake: A Watery Grave?

In a grim twist to the saga, Patidongan alleged that the bodies of the abducted sabungeros were dumped into the murky depths of Taal Lake in Batangas—a place now turned into a search zone by government authorities. The Philippine National Police dove in, literally, recovering skeletal remains from the lakebed.

But the country’s limited forensic capabilities hit a dead end.

“The DOJ understands the challenges of our DNA-testing capacities. This is exactly why we have asked the Japanese government to help us with testing the remains found,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano stated.

The cry for foreign assistance underscores the deep frustration—and desperation—surrounding the investigation. Despite years passing, the mystery remains unsolved. No bodies confirmed. No convictions made. Until now, no high-profile names officially charged.

A Trial for the Truth

Remulla was emphatic in Friday’s press briefing: this case is “hinog”—ripe—for trial. And while the wheels of justice grind slowly in the Philippines, this latest development might finally put the full weight of the legal system behind the quest for answers.

“It’s clear to us that our role here is to bring this case to a trial. This is the duty we swore to do,” Remulla declared, framing the prosecution's move as not just procedural, but moral.

While prosecutors, technically an independent arm under the Department of Justice, often reflect the tone set by the justice secretary, this time, all eyes will be on their next move. If they find the complaint credible, they will file charges in court—opening the door to a full-blown trial that could expose the deepest secrets of the cockfighting world.

More Than a Legal Case—A National Reckoning

The missing sabungeros have long become a haunting symbol of impunity in the Philippines—a country where entertainment often bleeds into exploitation, and where powerful figures can seemingly act with immunity.

If Atong Ang is indeed brought to trial, the case will do more than seek justice for 34 families. It will put the entire system on trial: from the shadowy economics of illegal gambling, to law enforcement’s inability to locate even a single confirmed victim, to the justice system's historic slowness in bringing powerful figures to account.

The Fight Has Just Begun

Even as Atong Ang fights to clear his name, and whistleblower Patidongan braces for cross-examination, the relatives of the missing are holding fast to hope.

Hope that this trial won’t end in silence.

Hope that the truth, buried beneath water and years of fear, will finally rise to the surface.

And perhaps most painfully, hope that the men they lost—fathers, sons, brothers—will not just be remembered as the disappeared, but as the spark that lit a fire of reckoning in a country long plagued by shadows.

This is not just a court case.

This is a national crucible.

And the entire nation is watching.