25 | November | 2011 | Collectors Connection

Lego Around The World Christmas Exhibit at SM North EDSA

Posted on November 25, 2011 by rence chan

SM North EDSA, Quezon City

Lego Christmas advertisement

tarpaulin poster of the event

The author went to the exhibit last November 12, 2011 , Unfortunately that day I was not able to bring my everyday companion which is a digital camera (my primary reason in going to the mall is Christmas shopping ) without thinking of an exhibit being held at the place.

Petronas Twin Tower of Malaysia

I had to come a week later , in order to take pictures of the wonderful exhibit. With many curious on-lookers and two nosy security guards watching carefully on every moves of every individual taking pictures and passers-by.

Merlion of Singapore along side with Bank of Asia building of Thailand and Petronas Twin Tower of Malaysia

They would constantly be reminding everyone not to take pictures inside the plastic covered exhibit . Baka masira ang exhibit ” The exhibit might get ruin.

Saint James Church , Kadayawan Festival of Davao and Nativity Scene

Some passers-by would make a snide comment ” Ang sungit naman ng mga guards na iyan, akalain naman nila sisirain ang mga exhibit na iyan” . The guards are sulky , They thought that we will destroy the exhibit.

Philippine jeepney, Statute of Rizal and Saint James Church

I politely told them that the lego bricks on display are just temporarily fixed they might get topped by just a mere blow of the wind ” .

Great Wall of China , Forbidden Palace Gate, Tiananmen Square and Dragon Dance

I saw a lot of children and children at heart viewing the lego exhibit. Someone from the organizers told me that there are a lot of lego collectors around the world and even in the Philippines.

Snowman

LEGO Group a privately held company based in Billund , Denmark . In 1934, his company came to be called “LEGO”, from the Danish phrase leg godt, which means “play-well”. By 1947 the company began its expansion by making plastic toys. Two years later in 1949 , Lego began producing the now famous interlocking bricks, calling them “Automatic Binding Bricks”. These bricks were based largely on the patent of Kiddicraft Self-Locking Bricks, which were released in the United Kingdom in 1947.

Farm lands complete with planted vegetables, tractors, livestock and farm houses

The company’s flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, mini figurines and various other parts. Lego bricks can be assembled and connected in many ways, to construct such objects as vehicles, buildings, and even working robots. Anything constructed can then be taken apart again, and the pieces used to make other objects.

capitol building of Camarines Norte

The toys were originally designed in the 1940’s in Denmark and have achieved an international appeal, with an extensive subculture that supports Lego movies, games, video games, competitions, and at least about half a dozen Lego theme amusement parks .

Grand Carousel

A big portion of the exhibit was executed by a Filipino lego collector named Mr. Jigs Manaloto . He started to collects the building blocks since he was 6 years-old! Together with four other enthusiasts they are responsible for building this project in the Philippines.

Star wars in battle

Lego exhibits are on the tour in several Asian countries like Indonesia in 2009, 2010 in Malaysia, 2011 in the Philippines and next year in Thailand (2012 ).

Poster of the event held at SM Mall Of Asia – Main Atrium

I was able to catch their public exhibition last August 12 to 27, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia with the theme ” Lego Pilipinas Tara Na at SM Mall of Asia ! ” featuring various Philippine tourist spots and last September in Greenbelt-5 Makati which is very successful.

Relief Map of the Philippines depicting various tourist spots photo taken last August, 2011

According to one of the staff ” the reception of the public is very warm , from young children who barely can speak , teenagers and even senior citizens “. We are planning to have several more public events next year in the country.

Eiffel Tower of Paris, France with a curious passers-by

This is not just ordinary tour, ( you learn geography , famous landmarks, architecture , culture ) People who buys lego sets can also extend a helping hands to the children across the region.

poster

In partnership with World Vision -Philippines , an international advocacy organization ( with local chapter) which focused on and assisting the needs, rights and responsibilities of children through sustainable development and education.

There are 2 ways to help the cause, One is the Php 100 pesos and Php 200 pesos donation by making a Lego Santa and a Lego Christmas Tree . Another highlight during the opening of the event was the lightning of the Christmas Tree by World Vision ambassador Mr. Sam Concepcion .

winter village accompanied by santa clause

The exhibit is divided into 4 categories

Lego Lego Asia– famous Asian landmarks including the Philippines are featured.

Lego Europe– famous landmarks of Europe are featured.

Lego North Pole – white Christmas and snow theme park are featured .

Lego -Universe –futuristic , science fiction movie characters are featured.

Taipei 101 Building and Tokyo Tower standing side by side – two of Asia’s most important landmarks

Snow man and a snow resort

Warriors in a fight scene

Clone Turbo Tank

Lord Garmadon

At the center of the exhibit rise a Christmas Tree Lego bricks made from over 750,000 pieces ! with a Length of 5 meters, Wight of 5 meters and a Height of 7 meters or almost 21 feet ! This is a landmark on its own.

Christmas Tree made from Lego bricks at night time

Lego Christmas tree taken on a different angle during late afternoon

Aside from the exhibit, there is also a contest where kids from 4 years old to 14 years old are invited to join the lego making contest.

Children busy making their own lego set

Participants will have the chance to win LEGO products worth 5,000 pesos . Age categories are 4-6 yrs. old, 7-10 yrs. old and 11-14 yrs. old.

Letting your kids play bricks is also a way of interaction with other kids, it improves hand-and-eye coordination and challenges their imagination to build structures they want as it boosts their self-esteem.

The children are encourage to built their own lego set using their creativity and imagination, there is no right or wrong .

pictures of different kids with their lego toy creation posted in a wall

Then their works are taken pictures and are posted on the Lego Picture wall or their facebook account were everyone can view what these children had created.

LEGO AROUND THE WORLD EXHIBIT

SM City North EDSA The Block

2nd Floor, The Block Bldg. North Ave. cor. EDSA, Quezon City

Telephone # 929.6686

Exhibit runs from November 12, 2011 to January 12, 2012

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