All aBOARD EXPO 2024 - We All Fam!

We rolled the dice, we vibed and we proved that in da clurb, we all fam. All aBOARD EXPO 2024 truly delivered—the Philippines’ most hyped board game event of the year lived up to its name! 🎲✨

From October 18-20, the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza Mall transformed into a paradise for gamers, where board gaming culture took center stage. Whether you were a seasoned strategist or a casual player, the event brought together fun, friendship, and fierce competition.

Every year, tons of gamers, including me, are looking forward to All aBOARD EXPO. Here is a quick recap of everything that happened in All Aboard EXPO + read through the whole blog as we might sneak in some hints of the plans for 2025.

All Aboard: Inclusive Gaming  

All aBOARD EXPO 2024 catered to all types of board game fans—newbies and veterans alike. For kids, we had the Kids Section powered by Smart Games Puzzles. For beginners, there were friendly sessions to introduce popular games like Splendor,Cascadia and of course our new favorite Harmonies. For the seasoned gamers, it was an intense battleground of Unmatched, Catan and Cascadia Tournaments with sneak peeks of upcoming board game releases.

Free Entry, Unlimited Fun  

One of the boldest changes we made this year was making the entry completely free! The biggest reason? We wanted more people to get a taste of the board gaming world. There's so much more to discover beyond Scrabble or Chess. It was the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the diverse world of modern board games. We had curious crowds who couldn’t resist joining in, trying out fun games like Quoridor and Rummikub. And with our prime spot in the heart of a major mall, we had amazing visibility! 

We had an awesome Plinko setup where attendees had the chance to score some seriously cool board gaming prizes (and yep, a bunch of lucky folks walked away with brand new games worth over 3,000 PHP!). Camille Chua-Tan, the illustrious illustrator behind Coup: Philippine Edition, was also there doing game signings. And for the entertainment highlight, we had a surprise live showcase featuring guest beatboxers The Bigg X, G-Who, and Zipporah, who crushed it playing That Sound Game. Whether you spent the day with family or explored new games with friends, it was a weekend full of fantastic fun and excitement for all ages!

Smarter with Smart Games

We were super proud of the Kids section because we know how important board games are for families, especially for kids. Smart Games was the perfect partner since they have games for kids as young as 2 years old, but the cool part is that even teens and adults love playing them too! Their games are really well-made with materials that last a long time, and with so many fun challenges, you can play them again and again. (Trust me, I'm an adult and a huge fan of Smart Games, especially IQ Gears!)

Plus, Smart Games have won a ton of awards! The Kids section was probably the busiest area, and it was always packed with people. (I think we’ll need a bigger space for kids next year, HAHAHA!)

A New LEGO Game

I’m absolutely bananas for Monkey Palace! 🍌🐒 I’ll admit, at first I was hesitant when I heard "LEGO board game" — thinking it would feel more like a toy than a game. But wow, was I wrong! There’s so much strategy packed into this one. I also love that at the end of each game, you have a structure that is super photogenic. Co-designed by David Gordon and TAM (aka Tam Myaing), Monkey Palace puts you in the role of brilliant jungle monkeys working together to build a tower from LEGO bricks. Only by climbing high into the canopy can you collect the most bananas — racking up those all-important banana points.

The fact that Monkey Palace is fueled by LEGO pieces — a brand practically synonymous with reckless, creative building — only makes it more perfect. The mix of strategic thinking and hands-on fun is something I didn’t expect, but man, does it work!

Harmonies Hits High Notes

In Harmonies, players build breathtaking landscapes by laying down vibrant tokens to create cozy habitats for critters. To clinch the crown, you’ll need to carefully connect these habitats and let as many animals settle in as possible. 🦊🐻 The key to victory? Strategically balancing your beasts with beautiful, bountiful landscapes!

One thing that stands out right from the start is Harmonies’ jaw-dropping table presence. The vivid illustrations, eye-popping colors, and 3D player boards make the game a visual feast. The screen-printed tokens, like perfect pawprints, add an extra layer of charm to the overall look. Honestly, I can’t help but fawn over the setup every time! It’s satisfying to see your player board grow into a gorgeous, vibrant ecosystem as the game progresses. (as photogenic as Monkey palace).

Try out this game! Maybe there will be a Tournament for this soon.

Who is Truly Unmatched?

Speaking of tournaments, players tested their skills in thrilling tournaments featuring popular games like Catan, Splendor, Cascadia, and Unmatched. In Unmatched, it wasn’t just about outsmarting opponents; it was about battling for an incredible prize: an epic trip to the CMON Expo 2024 in Thailand! 🎉 

Tournaments and competitions in board gaming are crucial not only for showcasing who truly reigns supreme but also for fostering camaraderie among players. They create a vibrant atmosphere where friendships can blossom, strategies are shared, and everyone walks away with unforgettable memories.

SCHEDULE

Splendor Showdown: De Leon Won with Just 4 Development Cards

Haince De Leon took the crown with an impressive 15-point finish, outmaneuvering 2nd placer GQ, Kristan (3rd), and Miguel (4th) with just 4 development cards. It’s a remarkable achievement, considering most players rely on building engines and claiming 10+ cards to win in Splendor. Even more amazing, this was Haince’s first time playing the physical version—having only played online at boardgamearena.com. Talk about a debut!

Tactics and Trade: The Catan Tournament 2024

The recently concluded Catan Tournament brought out the best of strategy, sharp negotiations, and teamwork! After three intense Swiss rounds, Sumay, Emmanuel, Hay-Pol, and Eryn secured their spots at the Final Table. In the end, it was Sumay who claimed victory, expertly balancing settlements and cities with some clutch resource trades that turned the tide at key moments. His strategic finesse in locking down that crucial wood and brick allowed him to outmaneuver his opponents and take home the grand prize: the stunning Catan 3D Edition.

📷: Zutto tabletop 

Cascadia’s Close Call: Deniel’s Dazzling One-Point Edge

Deniel clinched the crown with a remarkable 102 points, edging out the competition by a single, game-changing point! His meticulous tile arrangements and keen eye for scoring conditions made all the difference in this nail-biting finale that kept everyone in suspense until the very last move.

GOAT of Unmatched Philippines - Taj Lagulao

Congratulations to the Unmatched Philippines community admin and returning champion, Taj Lagulao, for claiming the crown at the Unmatched Philippine Nationals, with Robert taking a well-earned 2nd place finish. 🏆

Taj, piloting Elektra, deftly maneuvered past Bullseye’s relentless attacks, expertly handled by Robert. Bullseye’s strength lies in his long-range strikes, covering most of the map, with the goal of landing multiple hits per turn—ideally winning at least one combat. But Taj flipped the script. Rather than taking the usual route of retreating and strategically deploying Hand Ninjas to build a discard pile, Taj embraced an aggressive playstyle, throwing Robert off balance and leading Elektra to victory.

Thank you!

This epic event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing partners:
Thank you to Camille (IG: @frillion), our illustrious illustrator behind Coup: Philippine Edition. 
Thank you to The Bigg X (IG: @biggx.officia), G-Who? (IG: @g_who_microphonemechanics) and Zipporah, our bombastic Beatboxers who played and entertained in That Sound Game Live
Thank you to our Media Partner: G3 and When in Manila
Thank you to our venue partner: Shangri-La Plaza Mall and thank you to our Publishers / Sponsors: Alderac Entertainment Group, Asmodee, Broadway Games, CMON, Gigamic, IELLO Games, Libellud, and Loot Prints.

A massive thank you to all our game coaches and staff who poured their hearts into making this event a hit. And of course, to YOU, our awesome board gaming community, for showing up and bringing the energy! We couldn’t have done it without you. 🧡

All aBOARD EXPO 2025

Alright, if you've made it this far, you totally deserve a treat! All aBOARD EXPO is coming back next year, and let's just say—next summer is going to be even hotter!