Calling all Pokemon fans in the Philippines – the Pokeverse Expo is happening next week, and it will feature Ash Ketchum’s OG English voice actress!
So, what is the Pokeverse Expo? Well, it’s a Pokemon-themed event made for fans that will feature a lot of activities, exhibits, and special guests. There will also be various game tournaments, cosplay showcases, and even live performances.
Take note that while it’s not an official event by The Pokemon Company, it still promises to be an exciting celebration for fans. After all, the event will bring Veronica Taylor, the original voice actress of Ash Ketchum, along with Jason Paige, the original singer of the Pokémon theme song “The Voice of a Generation.” Along with these two, attendees will also see celebrity guests like Myrtle Sarrosa, Robi Domingo, and Tim Yap.
During a recent media event to highlight the Pokeverse expo in the Philippines, Veronica Taylor and Jason Paige were present via a conference call. There, Taylor shared her journey as the iconic Ash voice actress:
“I was working on another anime called Slayers in English, and it just happens that the people who cast me in that were doing the casting for Pokémon. So, I auditioned for it, and there were many callbacks, and I happened to get the role. Even when I got it, I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it, and it just kind of went on and on.
And I have to say, it’s one of the most challenging and joyful roles I’ve ever had. I love playing Ash; he was this ten-year-old normal boy who’s full of just courage and positivity. I think it changed my life because I think I took positivity for granted before this. But now I realized how important it is.
I mean, it changed my life. I get to travel now, Comic-Cons all over the world because people love, there’s something about Pokémon that people just love and identify with, and luckily, I can kind of be the bridge between their childhood and their memories, and their now. And then, you know, I can show up and they can tell me all about when they were watching the show, and it’s just a lovely exchange. It’s such an honor to be a part of people’s lives in this way.”
Meanwhile, here’s what Paige shared regarding his rediscovery by Pokemon fans:
“Yeah. I, I can’t wait to meet you all and sing for you all and catch the Pokémon love. I’ve been hearing good things about the Pokémon scene in the Philippines for many years now. So, it’s a long time coming for me to get there and meet everyone.
Well, it’s changed my life more specifically in 2016 when Pokémon Go came out. I popped out of the Pokéball and greeted the adults (who were still children when it first came out). The children that grew up on Pokémon didn’t really know who sang the song. It wasn’t important who sang the song; it was only important that the song moved them. It’s like a great piece of art that you see on the wall. You don’t think about who painted that piece of art, you just see the art and experience the art, and that’s the beauty of it. So, these children then grow up and now as adults they realize somebody sang the song, and that was about in 2016 when they came of age and they started playing the song again on all these streaming services like Spotify and YouTube and Amazon music.
And then the media wanted to know who I was, and they looked me up because it’s not obvious. Look on the inside of the 2B Master CD and the tiny little spread at the end of the lyrics, who I was. And that’s when my life basically started being changed by the Pokémon love. It started being directed at me from the adults who lived wonderful childhoods inspired by Pokémon.”
The Pokeverse Expo Philippines is happening from May 31 to June 2, 2024, at SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall. You can get tickets for the event now via the official website.