The approved concept layout for the MNLoves booth (PHOTO: @_mamabear48)
Last July 14 marked the first day of PPop Con 2023, held at Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview area. The three-day event, which ended with the concert held at the Araneta Coliseum last July 16, featured booths that fanbases set up to spread the word about their idols, including the MNLoves booth the MNL48 fans set up.
Forty-one (@rtwt48forty1), one of the exhibitors, shared in an interview with PAKSA MNL that they considered two possible layouts for the booth. But they decided to pick a "more informative and educational" set-up.
"We want non-fans to be more informed of MNL48 by laying out things like their single seifukus and discography," Forty-one described the set-up for the booth, funded through a donation drive.
The MNLoves booth at the PPop Con in Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview area, Cubao (PHOTO: NC)
He also added they included interactive activities and games for the booth's visitors to give them an idea about the idol group.
The MNLoves booth also offered fanmade items like stickers and bandanas for purchase. Freebies, such as banners, filmstrips, photocards, key chains, limited stickers, and brochures, were given away to those who stopped by and participated in their activities.
Different fanmade MNL48 merch was displayed at the MNLoves booth (PHOTO: NC)
For their efforts in setting up the booth, PPop Con awarded the 'Best Booth Award' to the MNLoves booth.
But for Forty-one, what is important is the booth itself served its purpose. "Overall, we did have a lot of fun exhibiting the booth as some non-MNL48 fans got interested t in trying and exploring MNL48 through getting freebies and exploring the group through the games and activities," he said.
Still Lacking
In a separate interview, Roms (@Romsssss_), one of the organizers of the MNLoves booth, said that despite having few live fetes for the first half of the year, including their 5th-anniversary offering, the MNL48 Festival, last April, MNL48 is "still sorely lacking" in events that could generate hype for them.
He also believed MNL48 "needs a consistent schedule of events to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels but better," especially now that the idol group is slowly gaining momentum this year, reviving interest from new and old fans alike.
“Pero dapat mag tuloy-tuloy yung mga events nila para ganahan yung MNLoves at syempre lalo na yung mga umalis na MNLoves dahil sa matagal na walang event,” he said.
As for his expectation for the idol group's upcoming 8th single, Roms said despite the letdown fans felt after Halohalo Entertainment (HHE) released its teaser in the MNL48 Festival event, he believed the single might be worth the wait.
"And yeah I hope sa tagal ng preperation nila, nageexpect ako na maganda yung kakalabasan ng 8th single," he said.