From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center transformed into the vibrant heart of tabletop gaming as the All Aboard EXPO 2025 welcomed over 10,518 attendees, setting a record for the biggest board gaming expo in Southeast Asia. Co-presented by the Quezon City Government and Gaming Library, the event brought together players, designers, community groups, and families for four unforgettable days of dice rolling, card shuffling, and game-driven joy.
An Expo Rooted in Community
Kicking off the festivities was an inspiring speech from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who emphasized the importance of board games in fostering personal growth and community bonding. She even joined in the fun herself, playing games like Harmonies, LEGO Monkey Palace, and even battling it out in a game of Beyblade. City Administrator Mike Alimurung also showcased his gamer chops, enjoying sessions of Power Grid and Everdell.
The Mayor’s message wasn’t just ceremonial, it set the tone for the weekend: that board games build bridges, not just between players, but across generations, sectors, and communities. Her vision to make Quezon City the board game capital of Southeast Asia felt closer to reality than ever.
Daily Highlights and Tournaments
Each day was filled with activities catering to casual players and hardcore competitors alike.
Ongoing Activities (May 29 - June 1)
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Blood on the Clocktower PH
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Dungeons & Dragons sessions with Greasy Snitches
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Live Action Role-Playing with Rainforest Renegade
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Miniature Painting Workshop with Pilipintados
- Speed Puzzling challenges courtesy of Puzzlers PH
May 29 (Thursday)
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Challengers Tournament
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Dice Throne Tournament
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Flamecraft Tournament
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Power Grid Tournament
May 30 (Friday)
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Beyblade X-treme Tournament with Whimsy Game Cafe
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Blood Rage Tournament
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Duel Overlord Gauntlet (Duel Board Games)
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Everdell Tournament
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Tapestry Tournament
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Terraforming Mars Tournament
May 31 (Saturday)
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Beyblade X-treme Tournament
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Cascadia Tournament
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Catan Tournament
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Cookie Run BRAVE LEAGUE FINALS - Season 1
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King of Tokyo Tournament
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Unmatched Tournament
June 1 (Sunday)
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Grand Archive Special Championship
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Harmonies Tournament
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Splendor and Splendor (Under 16) Tournaments
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Summoner Wars Tournament
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The Vale of Eternity Showdown
*Full list of tournament winners will be in a separate blog
Meet the Designers
All Aboard EXPO 2025 was graced by guest board game designers David Gordon, TAM, and Yohan Goh. They didn’t just make appearances; they walked the floors, signed games, led design workshops, and even held impromptu pitch sessions with local designers. Lucky attendees also got a sneak peek at some of their upcoming prototypes in live playtests.
Big Names, Big Moments
In a surprise twist straight out of a bard’s tale, Arnel Pineda, frontman of Journey, appeared on Day 2 to serenade the crowd. Meanwhile, the cast of the upcoming film Quezon—Cris Villanueva, Mon Confiado, and Jericho Rosales—dropped by and played That Sound Game with fans.
Workshops and Learning Sessions
Beyond games and tournaments, there was space for learning and thought-provoking discussion:
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The Ateneo Leadership Workshop for government leaders used games like Avalon and Pandemic as springboards to discuss cooperation, trust, and strategy.
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KJ of Happy Baobab shared insights into the power of game-based learning and how play can transform education.
A Shoutout to the Community
The heartbeat of the expo? You, the community. From casual groups from all over the metro like the Parañaque Board Game Group from the south, Mandaluyong Board Game Group from the center and Bulacan Board Gamers from the north, to creators like Dice22 PH, G3, Monkey Plays PH, Random Pinoy Geek Podcast, UNGEEK and When in Manila, to passionate players from RD3 and beyond, your energy fueled every roll, draw, and turn.
Here’s what you had to say:
"This was one of the best, most thoughtfully organized expos we've ever attended. There was no shortage of volunteers and government workers ready to help. There was even a water station to refill your containers; the first time we'd ever seen this at any convention!
Gaming Library created some super awesome pins that you could earn by participating in various activities throughout the expo. If you joined a tournament, though, you wouldn’t be able to collect them, since tournaments usually take up 5–7 hours of your day.
The entire event was well-organized, well-lit, and comfortably cool throughout the venue. It’s going to be even bigger next year; the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center might have to use all its floors!This was one of the most fun events we've attended in a long time. We went three out of the four days and enjoyed each visit, even if most of our time was spent just playing in a tournament. We can't wait for next year!"
-Zach Yonzon
"Gaming Library did an excellent job organizing the event. I especially loved the Journey Pass, which encouraged attendees to try a number of games for a chance to win a prize. They also provided a vast selection of games for people to try, really showing their dedication to being a true board game library. I appreciated the presence of so many game coaches available to teach the games, something I personally love doing as well.
There were also specific areas where you could learn games from various publishers like AEG, Mandoo Games, Iello, Jelly Jelly Games, Plaid Hat Games, Gwent, and many others. It was great that you could even meet game designers such as David Gordon and Yohan Goh.
I also loved that there was a booth for Megaladon Games, a local game publisher showcasing titles like Halo-Halo, Carabao Chronicles, One of Us Will Die, and others.Two additional floors were open for gaming, featuring titles like the Game of Thrones-themed miniature game A Song of Ice and Fire, Dungeons & Dragons, Blood on the Clocktower, and more.
We were initially a bit worried about where we would eat, but it was nice to see plenty of food options available just outside the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center, as food wasn't allowed inside the event area."
-Pinoy Video Gamer
What’s Next?
From the whole EXPO team: thank you. Thank you for showing up with your dice bags, meeples, rulebooks, and smiles. We’ve done our post-mortem and the wheels are already turning. We’re cooking up ways to make All Aboard EXPO 2026 even bigger, better, and more immersive.
But if you’re bitin sa EXPO? Don’t worry!
🎲 You can still play at any Gaming Library store with XP Play or Whole Day Play options. 🎯 Join our mini tourneys throughout the year. 🛒 And don’t miss the Buy 3, Get 10% OFF promo on all board games until June 15.
Until next year, keep rolling, keep playing, and keep building this amazing community.
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library is your ultimate destination for board games, offering a diverse selection perfect for families, friends, and gamers of all levels—from beginners to seasoned pros. 🌟 We carefully curate our collection by sourcing the best titles from around the globe, ensuring there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore hobbyist. 🎲 Our mission is to bring people together, strengthen family bonds, and create lasting friendships through the joy of tabletop gaming. Beyond the fun, we believe board games are a powerful way to develop essential skills and sharpen critical thinking—skills you can carry into everyday life. Explore our world of games and discover the perfect match for your next game night!
