Superman, Batman, Spiderman, X-men, Sailormoon, Naruto… All sorts of anime and comicbook heroes and villains alike gathered in ONE place- and they’re not fighting!!! That’s right, it’s a fantasy world come to life! It’s the cosplay convention!

Cosplaying in the Philippines include every imaginable (or sometimes unimaginable) characters from anime, comicbooks, video games, old tales, movies, and, that’s right, commercials! 

You wouldn’t be surprised to see someone come in with a couple of Rice sacks tied with a straw around the waist and shoulders and some broom strands for hair. You bump into somebody and before you can say your pardons she’s already bowing her head and and saying some bits of Nihongo and acting all Japanese despite her all too Spanish-Filipino lineage. Then she smiles and you’d say “kawaii” (cute)!

From my observation, about one fourth of those who participate in cosplays come to win, showcasing their creativity and talent in making their heroes (or villains) come alive through, in most cases, well practiced acting and internalization! So if a Kane fellow gives you that scary look, don’t run- he simply wants to win the contest! Of course a lot would come with all the acting and heavy internalization but mostly for the purpose of being seen. Some think that they share a common trait with a certain video game or anime character so they take on the outfit. On the other hand, quite a few come around dressed like sailormoon despite the 40 inch waistline, inciting some giggled murmurs or outright laughter! Sakura with hairy legs and Geisha with a moustache had also done their comedy in our cosplays.

“More than half of the people who join the cosplays don’t suit their character.”- one cosplay observer had noted. I agree with him and I feel this will be the trend in cosplays for a long time. Some say cosplaying actually encourages people to keep fit citing the fact that most anime or cartoon heroes are actually slim and/or sexy. One event judge once told me- “At least it’s easy to spot the winning types.” It’s actually a good thing. Because the overwhelming reason why Filipino kids and enthusiasts come to cosplay is that they just want to have some fun! It’s the pursuit of happiness: although one goes to be someone else, he is still glued to the idea of finding laughter, being entertained, having fun and meeting new friends!

One of the most beautiful things I found on a cosplay was a cute, young girl who’s entire family came around to support her as she plays Yuna of FF10! She must have been tired from all the “cameko” (photographers) requesting for a photoshoot every freaking second but she managed to keep on smiling as her family stood by till the end! “A family that cosplays together stays together” I say!

http://www.shareapic.net/content.php?id=13519492&owner=Majic

There’s no money in cosplaying. But it also opens a lot of opportunities for those who want to be into fashion-designing and those who could get discovered for a modelling career just as a lot of cosplayers here who still come around for the fun of it. Some even landed jobs as toymakers or writers for some magazines. Of course most of us don’t go there to find careers. We go to cosplays to have fun… and lots of it!