The Hero Face Off 2013 this year was judged by Jing Zara of Toycon, World Cosplay Summit Communications Head Ed Hoff, Hero TV Channel Head Jojo Neri-Estacio, commercial personality Tessa PrietoTwo of the biggest pop culture events crossed over and joined forces last Sunday (June 16), when the Hero Face Off 2013 competition was held simultaneously in occurrence with this year’s 3-day Toy Convention.

Animation came alive and took center stage at the SM Megatrade Halls 1, 2 and 3 at SM Megamall, where detailed action figures and novelty items were set beside moving, breathing characters from the television and movie screens.

More than 10,000 people arrived to bear witness to this gigantic event, where eyes were on a competition to take home the title of Hero TV’s Ultimate Cosplayer in the FACE OFF Category, who would be given the chance to experience first-hand the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya, Japan, anime’s country of origin itself. Aside from that, cash prizes were to be given to the champions and runners-up of the two other categories: the Kids category, and the League of Heroes category, dedicated to cosplayers that chose to compete in a group.

The Hero Face Off 2013 was judged this year by World Cosplay Summit Global Communications HeadErika Jean Garbin and John Vincent Estapon, runner-up and champion of the FACE OFF category Ed Hoff, Hero TV Channel Head Jojo Neri-Estacio, TV and commercial personality Tessa Prieto, Marikina's Rubberman Mark Cerezo and Jing Zara of Toycon.

The lucky participant to take home the grand prize in the Face Off category was John Vincent Estapon, who went as Haseo in his beast form. The runner-up for the same category was Erika Jean Garbin, who played Freya.

The Kids category winner was Izaiah Buelos, dressed as Gundam, while the runner-up was Ashley Misaki as Garo.

In the League of Heroes category, Level Down was declared champion, and Rising Empire was declared runner-up.

Aside from the main competition, the audience and the participants alike had the thrill of seeing Filipino rock band Chicosci and PBB winner Myrtle Sarrosa on stage to perform in celebration of this grand pop culture event.

The Hero Face Off 2013 was organized by HERO TV and co-presented by Royal Tru Orange, brought to you by Selecta Cornetto, Rebisco Combi Cookie Crunch and Bengbeng Real Chocolate, in partnership with Mikoy Morales, Kids Category Champion Izaiah Buelos dressed as Gundam with Mark Cerezo, Jojo Neri-Estacio, Myrtle SarrosaABS-CBN Licensing, ABS-CBN Publishing, The Knowledge Channel, Boardwalk ang Comic Alley. Special thanks for this event goes to Anime Alliance and TOYCON 2013 (Collectibles Unlimited), with the official venue partner, Megatrade Hall and SM Megamall.

Watch out for the one hour special on the Hero Face Off 2013 airing on HERO TV this July. For more of pop culture and the best of anime, tune in to HERO TV, the number one anime cable channel in the country, on SkyCable channel 44 and available on over 200 cable operators nationwide.(Story and Photos by: Katherine Solis)