Why are Gunpla so Expensive in the Philippines?

Have you ever compared the actual suggested retail price of a gunpla kit (this is the last digits of the serial number in Yen) to the actual selling price? you will notice that it is much more expensive than the actual value of the kit. It is because of the tax incurred when it enters the Philippine shores, as well as other costs that sellers take into consideration in order not to go out of business.

Taxes and Duties

All imported goods for consumption, which includes toys and collectibles, are subject to payment of import duty which is 10% of the total value of the items plus the shipping value. You are also required to pay its value added tax (VAT) of 12%. On top of that there are also charges for the documentary stamps for the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue which amounts to Php515. Taking all these into account, the total taxes and duties is almost the same as the value of the item. Thus, you end up almost paying double for the item. This is why sellers buy in bulk. The shipping cost is lower than buying single items and distributes the cost of the documentary stamps to multiple items.

Mall Prices

Gunpla kits significantly costs more in malls and department stores such as Toy Kingdom and Toys R' Us. This is because of overhead costs that is added on top of the item value after duties and taxes. Malls spend money on local business tax, employees, electricity, and other costs required to run a business. These costs are carried over to the merchandise while taking into consideration that a kit will not sell quickly. And of course, they need to make a profit.

Independent and Online Sellers

Generally, you can get cheaper deals with independent sellers and online sellers. Independent establishments usually have fewer employees (or the owner runs the shop himself), a smaller real estate, and more concentrated on a specific market. This lowers their overhead costs, which lowers their prices.

Online sellers eliminate much of the overhead costs because they usually sell and deliver their merchandise themselves. They do not need to rent a space for their establishment or pay utility bills since they usually work and stock the merchandise in their own houses. They may have a limited quantities but they sell their items at a much cheaper price.

Pinoy Gundam Fans Catch a Glimpse of the Full Armor Unicorn in Action

Gundam fans waited in anticipation as Cinema 10 at SM City North EDSA opened its doors for the showing of Gundam Unicorn, Episode 6: Two Worlds, Two Tomorrows. Those who bought Gunpla kits worth 400 pesos and above from Toy Kingdom or Toy Kingdom Express were able to exchange their receipts for two tickets for the exclusive showing of the Gundam UC episode.

The saga continues as Full Frontal and Angelo Sauper tries to convince the Garencieres to join forces with Neo-Zeon to find Laplace's Box. Conflicts arise within the Nahel Argama which sends the cease fire into chaos and confusion, which resulted in confrontations inside the hangar between the Kshatriya and Rosen Zulu. Thus, the truce ended and it is now a race to find Laplace's Box.

Now that it just a matter of time before Laplace's Box is in the hand of either the EFSF, Neo-Zeon, or Garencieres, Banagher heads out to Industrial 7, where the last clue about the box can be found. This is also the first appearance of the Full Armor Unicorn, which is met by the Unicorn Banshee Norn. Thus, the battle begins.

PGM Enters Gundam Model Kit Competition for the First Time

There's a first time for everything and this is Pinoy Gunpla Modeler's first attempt to enter the Gundam Model Kit Competition in the Philippines. We call it the Astray Arachnid, care of Dan Tumbaga.

Kit: Gundam Astray Red Frame

Paint used:

• Tamiya Enamel, Purple
• Tamiya Acrylic, Clear Red
• Tamiya Enamel, Gun Metal
• Tamiya Enamel, Chrome Silver
• Tamiya Acrylic, Metallic Gray
• Tamiya Acrylic, Dark Copper

Decals used:

• RX-78-2 Mk. II
• Gundam 00
• Gundam 00 Celestial Being

The Dangers of Inhaling Paint Fumes

I just checked the filter on my painting mask and, after painting a whole MG kit, it is not looking pretty. When painting our model kits, sometimes, we neglect using masks, especially when we have a spray booth or we are spray painting outside. It may seem safe enough because the paint scatters in the air or the exhaust fan sucks the paint out the window, but there are still some of those toxic particles that make their way to our lungs. And this poses a problem if you paint regularly which makes your lungs exposed to paint fumes at a constant rate.

What makes paint toxic?

Paint (color pigment) requires a carrier or solvent to be applied to a surface. It is this solvent that contains the chemicals that are hazardous to human health. The stronger the solvent, the more toxic it is. The most commonly known toxic substances are called volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are the byproduct of the solid or liquid (or both) components of paint. Generally, VOCs are at a higher concentration indoors. About 10 times as much compared to painting outdoors.

How does constant exposure to paint fumes affect our body?

Exposure to paint fumes can cause short-term and long-term effects depending of the length of time and intensity of exposure. Some examples of short-term (temporary) side-effects are:

• Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and/or respiratory tract
• Visual disturbances
• Headaches
• Loss of coordination
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Allergic skin reaction
• Fatigue
• Memory impairment

Some of the above effects can be chronic when you are exposed to paint fumes on a daily basis. Long-term effects of paint fumes can include:

• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Central nervous system damage
• Certain types of cancer
• Asthma

Painting Basics: Types of Paint

There are three types of paint: lacquer, enamel, and acrylic. The types of paint differ mainly on the solvent or 'carrier' of the paint. Lacquer paint uses lacquer thinner, enamel is an oil-based paint that uses paint thinner, and acrylic paint is water-based. The strongest solvent is lacquer, followed by paint thinner, and then water.


The significance of this property is that the stronger solvent can affect the paint type that uses a weaker solvent. For example, if you paint your model with an enamel paint and then again with a lacquer paint, the initial enamel coat can be dissolved by the lacquer coat and ruin your paint job. 

Always consider the diagram  to the right when using multiple types of paint on your model. Since lacquer paint is the strongest and most durable against the other types of paint, it is recommended to use it as your base coat. Especially when you are going to use an enamel wash (i.e., for panel lining). Same goes for acrylic, you can use it on top of enamel or lacquer since it is water-based. Water will not harm the lacquer or enamel.