Vlad Bunoan

An artist's rendition of the Pokémon Center pop-up in Manila. Handout

Article (news)

Karen Flores

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178349837617002_Pokémon Center POP UP image.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="An artist&#x27;s rendition of the Pokémon Center pop-up in Manila. Handout"/>An artist&#x27;s rendition of the Pokémon Center pop-up in Manila. Handout</div>Pokémon is bringing its 30th anniversary celebration to the Philippines, and the Japanese media franchise is opening its first pop-up store in the country as part of the festivities. Executives of The Pokémon Company flew to Manila to share the good news in a press conference on Tuesday, July 7. Senior director Daisuke Kobayashi said the Pokémon Center pop-up will be located at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and will be open starting this October until January of next year.The temporary retail space will carry original merchandise and rare finds such as a limited-edition Pikachu plush, according to Kobayashi. Visitors will also find a gaming experience booth, as well as tutorial sessions for those who wish to learn how to play the Pokémon trading card game. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783500985926_JSP3575.JPG" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The Pokémon Company senior director Daisuke Kobayashi (leftmost) with corporate officer Susumu Fukunaga (wearing blue), his translator, and SM Supermalls executive vice president for marketing Joaquin San Agustin. Handout"/>The Pokémon Company senior director Daisuke Kobayashi (leftmost) with corporate officer Susumu Fukunaga (wearing blue), his translator, and SM Supermalls executive vice president for marketing Joaquin San Agustin. Handout</div>The pop-up store is part of a bigger partnership between The Pokémon Company and SM Supermalls. Another activity lined up for the 30th anniversary celebration is a six-month mall caravan that will be held across the country starting in October, where fans can get licensed collectibles, experience new games, and win freebies. More details have also been revealed about the much-anticipated Manila leg of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/6/3/pok-mon-run-30-lands-in-manila-this-october-1433">Pokémon 30 fun run</a> from October 3 to 4 at the SM Mall of Asia. <a href="https://raceroster.com/events/2026/139265/pokemon-run-30?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4_a1demo0e5bh7k4&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawS66U1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDODhpeVRHZ1lnYktsdm9ac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhv4YtrdabYZgJeTLOIz1PNQqK8ZejGWwn2cQwi6F7eUL1Kui9yrlOSlMjkp_aem_FhoKzILujuyGwsW7DDEWfA">Registrations are now open</a> for the 5K race, and each participant gets a special runner&#x27;s kit filled with themed merchandise. Kobayashi said runners can choose their partner Pokémon at the starting line and witness it evolve after taking on interactive obstacles. Those who are unable to join the race can head to the Pokémon Festival Zone, which will have different experience zones featuring video games, animated shows, and mobile apps, among others. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178349971007406_Runner_s Kit_PH.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A closer look at the Pokémon 30 runner&#x27;s kit. Handout"/>A closer look at the Pokémon 30 runner&#x27;s kit. Handout</div>Next year, fans can look forward to PokéXciting, a party-style celebration that covers Manila and four other cities: Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Taipei in Taiwan, Singapore, and Bangkok in Thailand. The Manila event will take place from January 23 to 24, 2027 at the SM Mall of Asia and will be open to the public for free. Guests can join meet and greet sessions, check out exclusive merchandise, and watch live performances, including a parade of Pokémon characters.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783500924665_JSP3453.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Pikachu mascots during The Pokémon Company&#x27;s press conference in Manila. Handout "/>Pikachu mascots during The Pokémon Company&#x27;s press conference in Manila. Handout </div>Susumu Fukunaga, corporate officer of The Pokemon Company, said the upcoming events are their way of thanking long-time fans and welcoming newcomers to the massive media franchise.&quot;I have been with the Pokemon Company since its establishment... When we started, we had a small one-floor office in Tokyo and fewer than 30 employees,&quot; he recalled, speaking through a translator. &quot;Thanks to the love and support of fans worldwide, now we have offices around the world.&quot;&quot;This growth would not have been possible without the Pokemon fans and the partner companies that have supported us,&quot; he added.

Pokémon is bringing its 30th anniversary celebration to the Philippines, and the Japanese media franchise is opening its first pop-up store in the country as part of the festivities.

Pokémon is bringing its 30th anniversary celebration to the Philippines, and the Japanese media franchise is opening its first pop-up store in the country as part of the festivities.

First Pokémon Center pop-up to open in PH in October

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First Pokémon Center pop-up to open in PH in October

Karen Flores Layno,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 08, 2026 05:10 PM PHT

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Updated July 09, 2026 10:56 AM PHT

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