Neil Gaiman in Manila

The day starts early for us, we were already at Rockwell at around 9:30 to line up for the 10:30 stub giveaway for Neil's book signing. It turns out the Rockwell tent wasn't the one I was thinking of, and saying it's near a Starbucks didn't help either. Anyway, Chey and Maret were there way before we were (around 8:30), and they got stubs in the range of 60-65, which means more than 50 people were there before them. Probably around 20-30 were sponsors.


Power Plant Mall, where it's all going to happen

At last, we got the stubs! There were two lines, and we got stubs 254 and 256. We heard that you are allowed around 45 secs for the book signing. So that's a bit more than 3 hours wait after he starts signing. But of course it'll take much longer than that.


The stuffs!

After lunch at Mongkok with my parents, I picked up Joey and we went back to Power Plant for the Anansi Boys reading, the Q & A, the Mirrormask preview and the signing.


The Late Isabel, warming up the (already warmed up) crowd inside the humid tent.

So we went into the Rockwell Tent and tried to move as close to the front. After a few minutes, The Late Isabel played quite a number of songs. Of course, the impatient crowd wanted them out of there. Poor band didn't quite explain that they were there also because Neil was late because of a printer problem. A short summary of his day is here. Of course, I wanted to see what else he would write about his stay here but I'm sure he's very-very-very tired as the hosts kept saying.


The Man himself (photographed by Ramon)

Eventually, he comes out like a rockstar, leather jacket and all. He greets the crowd, and says a few words. They play the Mirrormask trailer. And he reads a short bit from his new book, Anansi Boys (coming out in September), which he had to read from his new laptop because of the aforementioned printer problem. They judge the art contest. I particularly like the 2nd place winner who drew Coraline and the other mother, fantastic work. I wish I could've seen it up close. Signing begins.


Joey, Me and VIP Ramon


The fans: Maret, Chey, and Joey

Around 9:30 in the evening. Neil says that he'd let children below 15 go first because it's getting late. Naturally, people with babies take advantage. Now how is this different from begging in the streets carrying a baby for paawa effect? Anyway, he signs our books. I had my copy of Death: The High Cost of Living, which I bought way back when I was in high school, signed. Joey had the Endless Nights, Neverwhere and Smoke and Mirrors (for Len), signed.


#s 254 and 256 up the stage. Joey gives him a bookmark.


Neil signs

Wow! It was a pleasure meeting him. Probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience!


Foooood at last!


The best advice anyone has ever given me. Also the best advice given by Hob Gadling to anyone.

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