Field Report - G.B.P. 3rd Anniversary Event

It was high noon...the perfect time for a showdown as far as gun-slinging cowboys are concerned. But the gathering was meant for a different kind of gunslinger - instead of revolvers, we holstered our airbushes and rattle cans. Instead of .28, .38 or .45 caliber bullets, we used lacquers, acrylics, and enamels. Because the day was not about guns...it was about Gundams! That's right folks, yesterday, GBP (Gundam Bootleg Pilipinas) celebrated it's 3rd anniversary with a build-off and gathering of epic proportions. The people were friendly, the food was great, and the builds? The builds were handsome AF. Hold on to your panties fellas, they're about to drop like Axis...


Warning: Pic Heavy

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The event was held at Rustic Seafood, Greenhills. I was one of the first participants to arrive, and the admins were busy getting everything in order - the display tables, the raffle and competition prizes, the food, everything was orchestrated as if a professional events coordinator was running the show.

I've never attended an event hosted by this group before, so you can imagine I felt somewhat out of place - like an elementary kid on his first day at a new school. The awkwardness melted away quickly though, when I was welcomed at the registration table by a friendly group of admins.

I signed up and decided to assemble my entry immediately...I didn't want to risk knocking over someone else's build if I did it later on. This turned out to be a good idea - because once I saw the other entries I started having doubts if my work was up to scratch. There were two categories: Pro and Newbie, and I entered the Boros under the Pro group because I had been building for a few years now.

The participants brought their A game to the table, and I was worried my work was too simple in comparison. One build resembled a mechanical dragon, others had exquisite paint schemes and sharp details, and there was even one diorama with an actual working electronic billboard. Spectacular concepts behind each one, and you can see just how much effort the builders put into their entries.

While we waited for everyone to finish setting up, some cool prizes were raffled off, an on-the-spot SD build-off was conducted, food was served, and games were played. The push up challenge and brain freeze contests were downright hilarious - it's funny what a bunch of plamo nerds are willing to do for a shot at a free model kit!

 

The sun was getting really low by the time the competition judging was in full swing, and it was a tense couple of hours for the hopeful participants as the judges inspected each entry, some even breaking out a flashlight to get a really good look at the models. You know that sick feeling you get when you see a judge look at your model, then scribble some indiscernible note on his scorecard all poker faced, and you don't know if he's thinking "damn, that is well done.." or "damn, what a shame.." ? I didn't...until last night.

With the scores all tallied up and the mouth-watering prize pool in order, the admin team began announcing the winners to a rowdy crowd of eager nerds, starting with the SD build-off , followed by the Newbie and Pro categories. I was so nervous that I forgot to write down the names they were calling out for each category...

...until it came down to Pro category champ, and they called my name. The Tallgeese Boros took 1st place under the Pro category! I was almost in tears as I was handed the trophy. All the hard work that went into the build paid off in the end - the endless cleaning of seams, all the sanding, the botched leg that I had to redo from scratch...it was all worth it. In addition to a certificate and trophy, I got to take home some Zurc paints, a Madworks chisel from Zee Hobby Shop, and a monster of a kit: the MG Full Armor Gundam Ver. Ka Thunderbolt! I literally could not be a happier. I think the cheek-ripping grin says it all.

 The night ended with group photos, and the admins awarded the winner of their admin-only build-off, to which nothing less than a Sparmax Airbrush was handed to the champion!

I'd like to take this time to thank all the organizers, sponsors, and members who took time out of their busy schedules, not to mention money out of their own pockets, just to put together a great year-ender for the group. If anyone deserves the trophies here, it's you guys and gals. This, I believe, is the essence - the nirvana state for our beloved hobby. A group of misfits, otakus and weeabs from all walks of life, coming together to share the joy of building model kits.

Until next time, keep building plamo!

*thanks to all the GBP members who let me borrow their photos for this feature!