Quezon City---Cosplayers have indeed found a second home in the jungle of Ninoy Aquino Wildlife as it comfortably provides a natural venue to satisfy the lens of many photographers as cosplayers pull off their costumes and internalize their character roles to altogether perform that brave act of “cosplaying.”

I say brave because, as a fan of anime, I admit that I haven’t got that confidence or probably explored on that skill of cosplaying. 

You may regard this blog then as my way of extending my appreciation to cosplayers’, anime lovers’, and even art lovers’ respect and passion to the realm of cosplay.

Cosplay 101

Cosplay or kosupre is short for costume play says Wiki, which refers to an “activity which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea from a work of fiction.”

However based on my observation amongst cosplayers I’ve interviewed and I’ve seen, this definition of cosplay goes beyond just merely wearing it and projecting a character for another picture.

Cosplay is about the craft, the talent, that passion to justify a character from a fiction story, a world conceptualize from an imaginative mind, an art itself.

It was then a pleasure to attend a cosplay event of one of the most active and respected cosplay organizations in the Philippines, the Otaku Urule.  A non profit organization that opens opportunities for cosplayers (amateur, professional/ and interested ones) to gather and play.  Otaku Urule’s members meet on a regular basis to know each other, familiarize themselves with each other and learn from each others’ craft while growing in a productive and progressive family of cosplayers, photographers, anime lovers, followers and enthusiasts through a series of invitational photoshoots.

Last Sunday, (Sept 2, 2013), was their 8th Otaku Urule Invitational Photoshoot (IOP) special edition in which the twist was “animarriage.” I was told that before the day ends, there will be couple/s who will get married as they have mounted their animarriage booth.

According to Chairman and Co-founder of Otaku Urule, Rg  Gamurot II (kuyawajie), Otaku Urule has 200 participants who attended that day which is composed of cosplayers and photographers mainly. Otaku events however, are planned and implemented smoothly by the 30 core people working together to organize thebeneficiary is Red Cross particularly aiming to help the recent Habagat victims. 

In fact Otaku Urule has been doing chartable works since 2003 with which amongst institution they have helped include Child House Foundation Ricky Reyes, Philippine General Hospital, Red Cross and Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas.”

Another purpose of cosplaying is to create a venue for the youth to express themselves through this art and use their energy to something worth their while. 

Based on research, the term otaku in fact has a rather negative meaning as it pertains to a person who stays at home all the time and doesn’t have a “life” ---“no social life, no love life, no dreams, no plans”---somebody who is kind of boring in a sense.  However, they are likewise described to be as individuals who consume too much of their time by watching anime, playing video games or surfing the net as according to urban dictionary, otaku is likewise used top refer to a nerd, a hacker, or a programmer.

This is personally find very interesting, well you see, a nerd or a hacker or programmer for that matter actually has got themselves really bright ideas right? (haha) I meant, programming and hacking needs a lot of thinking so I don’t think an otaku person is indeed boring. 

Anyway, otaku, the term, is given a new and more positive definition by this community of cosplayers through Otaku Urule.  Chairman Rg shared that Urule literally tells their audience that “Otakus* actually Rule” and in the positive sense, they are individuals that are leaders themselves, masters of their own crafts, and visionaries of their goals that are actually one with our society’s.

Allow me to introduce you then to three lovely Otaku Urule participants I have interviewedJ

Carla Conejar, 29, senior technician by profession

Carla is cosplaying a Japanese fashion known as Lolita. She is one of the 30 core officers/ event organizers of Otaku Urule. According to her, Otaku Urule community provides a sense of belongingness or a family to its members that is why many participants have been really active in attending the organization’s events.  Through the events, first timers or newbies get to mingle and be grouped with professional ones (both cosplayers and photographers) in which they fill in the gaps in their respective fields.  For instance, new cosplayers are able to interact with older ones whom they can get tips on where to buy cheaper materials for their costumes, how to choose 2nd hand quality costumes and the like; meanwhile photographers share their skills in capturing photos especially when you are doing it outdoor and using natural light. 

Being a mom to a six year-old, Ms. Carla impressed me with her youthful and vibrant attitude.  I guess her love for this craft brings out the natural youthfulness in her.  

Leilanie Miranda, 24

Ms.leilanie is cosplaying a casual Mikuhatsune game character.  According to her she started with this craft in 2005.  Leilani mentioned that part of the obstacles in cosplay would be the budget for the costumes especially when the person intends to cosplay a character that would need too many resources.  Her tip?  Study your chosen character, look for a couple of them so you can choose which one is practically appealing to your budget.  Cosplay doesn’t have to be expensive. There are ways and there are a number of diskarte you can apply.  Cosplay is for everyone.  

CK Soguilon, 19, ICCT Colleges programming student

Ck is cosplaying Nidalee of League of Legends.  According to her, the love for cosplay craft started when she was younger--- actually, when she saw SailorMoon TV show and wanted to be like “Sailor Mars” at some point back in 1998.  But only 10 years after, in 2008 when she saw a cosplay event in Megamall that even reinforced her childhood dream.  since then, she has established herself as one of the professional cosplayers as she have earned a number of experience participating in cosplay events, competition and the like. 

I was surprised as this girl is really talented, she knows how to paint, sew and literally make the costumes for herself and for other cosplayers as well.  She disclosed that she and her boyfriend were able to make costumes for other cosplayers (real talent I must say!)

Rubber sheets and EVA foam are cosplayers’ favorite material for making costumes according to her.  For those who are not aware, you can get more supplies of these in Marikina, after all, this is where durable shoes are made right?:)

Reycelle Garido, 15, UST HS student

One of the youngest I have interviewed and probably considered a not-so-newbie in the cosplay realm, Reycelle gave justice to Akazukin Cha cha! (a favorite of mine too!) This gal admits that she thinks her costume isn’t the best version yet but I can say that the way she projects herself wearing the costume actually gave that “akazukin-impression” real good. I admire her truthfulness and her being humble about her experience as a cosplayer especially when she shared that yeah of course considering her age and resources it would be quite hard for her to come up with more quality and detailed costumes to wear.  After all, her cosplay journey just turned 1, since she started it just last year.  Reycelle hopes to do more cosplay gigs and probably join competitions.  I asked her whether she will sell the costume after using it, she said she plans to keep it, when she gets more resources she might probably sell it and replace it with a better version of Akazukin Cha Cha costume. 

Shaira Villagarcia

Shaira is cosplaying sakura Miku, she started cosplaying 2011 of April.  According to her, she chose the character since she had traded her wig for it and so she plans to wear it for that event’s shoot.  Shaira and Reycelle were of the same group when I found them.  At first I thought they were long time friends but actually they just met there!