Hi everyone, J here again. So, Magic and Mystics happened.
Before we start, a quick note for context: We used to be involved in community management and marketing for digital entertainment brands that had live events locally. This means we have some experience as both organizing party and participant, which we always bring to events we participate in. This experience informs the statements that follow.
First, some good news: we were able to break about even on the table, plus logistics, plus cat necessities. This was thanks to parties who generously donated before the event, as well as those who came during the weekend, availed of our services, and tipped well. Credit is also due to our fellow vendors and creatives who understood our challenges and gave freely of their own accord, even while concerned about their own financial performance at the event. Their kindness does not go unnoticed.
Of note also are both the crowds of supporters for the artists who came on both days, as well as the efforts of those who set up events and social media posts to boost visibility directly for artists affected. We are one of many who have benefited from these, and we pray that they will continue to support the local creative scene in healthy, enriching ways that go beyond any one organization, agenda, or reputation.
Now, the reality check: One of the core strengths of POTA-managed events had been their ability to encourage those who were even marginally interested in the local creative scene to partake of what it could offer in a safe, accessible venue through strong, targeted marketing and community efforts. Those efforts were barely felt this weekend, both online (late announcement, limited adverts, and low efforts to rebuild trust after highly concerning behaviors earlier this year) and during the event weekend itself (no banners at the event venue on Day 1, testimony from event staff that they were not involved in on-site production and built the displays seen online from recycled physical assets and duct tape, etc). As a result, Day 1 foot traffic was nearly nothing, and Day 2 was only salvaged largely by the efforts of the community to help spread publicity for the event.
While we enjoyed the grace of breaking even, we sadly cannot say the same thing for everyone else who had participated in the event, present or otherwise. There was genuine fear and concern from vendor-partners that the event would have to be a loss. We also hold that we would have made more than what we had if POTA had tried to maintain its previous efforts to bring in attendees.
We speak the uncomfortable truth: the recent Magic and Mystics did not build any confidence in its organizer’s ability to make their future events this 2026 as attractive or beneficial as they used to be, nor have they added any trust in their statements to make things up with the community.
Thus, we continue to urge the organizers and all their allies to do the right thing in tangible, meaningful ways to prove to a community that still holds on to the shreds of belief that they are capable of real, honest good in the world. This includes – if it is within their power – a partial and immediate refund of table fees for vendor partners during Magic Academy’s weekend run this year, present and otherwise.
We understand that this is an expense atop expenses, and that POTA is a business – not a charity. Nevertheless, it is a cost that can gain the organizers significant goodwill and convince the community that trust, however fragile, is still present in this conversation. But if they choose to do nothing and stay silent, then we choose to understand the true shape of the situation, and move forward from there.
Lastly: There are those who have given voice to the idea of “encouraging” the organizers through spiritual action to force a decision. At this time, we do not support nor condone such actions. We have been given the grace of clarity and revelation in this regard, and thus we strongly share that whatever effort one may choose to do such things will be better used to raise up the artists affected. The mills of the gods turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine indeed; blessed are those with eyes to see and with ears to hear, that they may turn yet to the good of the world.
There are also those who have said things of interest during and after the event, whether it is to blame the participants for their own gullibility, to claim that they were only following instructions, or some other statement. We choose to believe that these are individuals who, despite their tone, only mean good from their own perspective. Thus, we say that as they sow, so shall they reap.
Magic and Mystics proved that art fair organizers need a vibrant, excited community to continue to survive as a business in these hard times. It also proved that the Philippine creative scene does not need neglectful art fair organizers – a truth that we hope will not be a one-off lesson for everyone involved.
We give deep thanks to our allies within and without for their potent and mighty aid; now, then, and always.
Unto God and the cosmos be this spell and sacrifice.
- J, Aug 2026