Last April 29 to May 1, Fisher Mall held a Hobby Expo in partnership with the International Plastic Modelers Society-Philippines (IPMS), the premiere scale modeling club in the country. It was founded in 1968 by the late Bert Anido, the father of the late actor Alfie Anido.
The expo exhibited scale models of historic ships, planes and cars as well as military uniforms worn by live models who had photo ops with the visitors. They were provided by JMN Hobby Square, who also displayed an impressive array of model ships, planes and cars.
IPMS-Philippines-Bert Anido vice president Rancie Legaspi said, “Fisher Mall, in partnership with IPMS Philippines-Bert Anido, thought of holding a Hobby Expo in their newly opened Expo Hall. They invited us as a sponsor. This is the first Hobby Expo for Fisher Mall, and perhaps the first in the country as well. The expo was created to gather and attract the different hobbyists and hobby clubs and introduce the different hobbies to non-hobbyists and at the same time promote the specialty/hobby stores of Fisher Mall.”
JMN Hobby Square owned by Natalie Kaw was a major sponsor in the expo. Neutral Grounds, Diecast PH, Historical Living Society, Big Boys Collectible Toys, Ace Hardware and Fisher Department Store were the other stores, manufacturers and hobby clubs that participated. Kaw told us earlier that scale modeling teaches patience and hones artistic skills. She said scale modeling attracts few females who only want to buy models for their boyfriends, and that her store periodically holds cut price sales and promos for hobbyists.
“In terms of awareness, the expo was a success; a lot of people went there to see the event and got interested and signed up with the participating hobby clubs,” Legaspi said.
“Fisher Mall might make the Hobby Expo an annual thing,” he added, explaining that the “Hobby Expo is a collaboration of several hobby clubs, a platform where each and every club member shares his works or collection to the public. At the Hobby Expo, we have actual scale model kits, basic building techniques, demos of deck/board games. A die-cast collector modified a kit and a re-enactors club lectured about World War II unifoms and their historical importance. It’s a good place to gather information if you want to start a hobby.”
What are the benefits of scale modelling to a hobbyist? “Scale model building is a good form of relaxation and it helps you develop a keen sense of detail,” Legaspi said.