Yuzukichii - A twist of fate that led to greatness
Photo by Ryan Ong
As we all know, life is made up of mistakes, screw-ups, and a bit of success. You never know when you're going to take a wrong step nor would you know when you would cause a ridiculous blunder. More often than not, we never like making mistakes. A lot of people curse it, while a good number of people brood over it.
But mistakes aren't always preludes to disaster. The saying, "A blessing in disguise" does hold true to some situations. The same could be said for Yuzukichii's cosplay history. What started out as a feeble mistake has developed into a great pastime for her. 5 years and counting, we continue to see top quality cosplays from her one after the other.
The picture over the left side of your monitor can speak for itself. It's so good, one would think it's from a movie clipping. What surprises me more is how fast she makes her costumes. She mentioned that it takes her around 1 - 5 days. How swift thine hands.
I was very fortunate to be introduced to her by my friend, Niko Cruz. I don't know a lot of people yet in the cosplay community, and I'm very happy that I'm starting to get to know the ones that have such talents.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you today's feature!
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But mistakes aren't always preludes to disaster. The saying, "A blessing in disguise" does hold true to some situations. The same could be said for Yuzukichii's cosplay history. What started out as a feeble mistake has developed into a great pastime for her. 5 years and counting, we continue to see top quality cosplays from her one after the other.
The picture over the left side of your monitor can speak for itself. It's so good, one would think it's from a movie clipping. What surprises me more is how fast she makes her costumes. She mentioned that it takes her around 1 - 5 days. How swift thine hands.
I was very fortunate to be introduced to her by my friend, Niko Cruz. I don't know a lot of people yet in the cosplay community, and I'm very happy that I'm starting to get to know the ones that have such talents.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you today's feature!
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- what's your name?
- Y - I'm Monette Salas
- how long have you cosplayed?
- Y - I've been cosplaying for 5 years
- what moved you to enter cosplaying?
- Y - I've been a con goer since 2000 and I've loved seeing cosplayers and had been wishing to have the guts to do it. In 2006, I accidentally registered as a cosplayer for Hataw hanep Hero, and the rest, as people would say, as history
- do you have any inspirations?
- Y - Right now, great cosplayers inspire me to cosplay,like Yayahan,Adella,Orochi,Pinky Lu xun,Rainer Tachibana and of course my very talented BF Wreidyl
- do you make your own costumes? if yes, how long does it take you to finish a costume?
- Y - I usually make my own costume. It usually takes me 1-5 days depending on my mood
- is there a particular type of character you favor?
- Y - I love cosplaying female characters that are embodiments of girl power. Most of my costumes have wings and are sexy.
- do you joining competitions? have you won any? if yes, what was your most memorable victory?
- Y - I sometimes join,depends on the event. I've won a few awards, my favorite winning moment would probably be 2008 Lineage Launch it was my 1st win and it was unexpected
- western or eastern comics/shows?
- Y - I like both
- do you think son goku can save us all?
- Y - I don't think Goku can't save us all
- favorite movie (current)
- Y - I love movies, I have a lot of favorite now, but if I have to choose it would probably be The warriors way
- do you have any plans for cosmania XI?
- Y - No plans yet for cosmania XI
- what was the hardest cosplay you've ever done? why?
- Y - The hardest costume would be Kamael Female Transformation, its hard to make and to wear,the wings are heavy >_<
- complete the sentence: cosplay is _______ but _______
- Y - Cosplaying is fun but its also a bit expensive and time-consuming
- do you have any petpeeves?
- Y - My pet peeve would be how the cosplay community is now compared few years ago,its totaly different,all the drama and bashing . Also some people think cosplay as a way to
be popular. - advice for newbies
- Y - For newbies,please don't take cosplaying so seriusly,just have fun and be creative,no need to spend so much money. Cosplaying is just like any other hobby. If you're not having
fun. - shoutouts
- Y - THANKS!
- for promotion
- Y - Just need more "like" for my entry~
1. Like this page first Otaku House
2. Then like my entry on this link
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015020642372
7137&set=a.10150193741112137.325868.151208427136&
type=1
Katz - The Cat that has both Bark and Bite
photo by Raisa De Pano
Hello, people! I'm back, and back with another awesome feature! I'd like you to say hello to this week's cosplayer-in-focus! This week, we have our friendly friend, Katz (spelled with a "Z", not with an "S"), who is a four year cosplay veteran and plans on taking it a lot longer.
This simple, and friendly lass has been making her animated favorites proud through her skills with the needle, and her dedication to mimic her characters, whether in dynamic moves or in achieving the right emotion. Katz has quite a number of cosplays through the past four years, and most of her costumes were handsewn by her, truly an enviable aspect in her craft.
Not only does she limit herself to expressing herself in cosplay, but she also lets out her imagination with fashion.
You can see her sporting different chique clothing when she's not filling in for a character in the real world.
She is 1/3 of MaJeKa, and also commissions outfits for people from simple costumes to basic casual wear. (Thinking about it, maybe I ought to have some clothing done! >.<) Her blogsite, kosupurekei.com, houses great articles that can help out cosplayers as well as read what's on her mind. She's been featuring other cosplayers and I've been fortunate to be a part of it ~ May we see more of her works in the years to come and may we not get hit by that big hadouken heading straight to our monitors!! JUMP! DUCK!! ROLL!! WEAVE!!! *evasive maneuvers*
down forward down forward + fierce punch = SHINKUUUU.... HADOUKEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!
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1) what's your name
~ Kathryn Mary C. Del Rosario.. but pls call me katz! yes that's with a Z hehe nyaks!
2) how long have you cosplayed
~ *counts fingers* 4 years.. and counting!
3) where do you get your inspiration
~ anything and everything, sometimes not even cosplay-related haha!
4) what is it like to be in a character's point of view
~ it's UBER fun! you get to experience what the character envisions and actually feels! the best part is, when you find a group of people in the same series, the more you feel it becoming real.
5) have you ever wished of becoming a cartoon character
~ haha! ..errr NO, i don't think i need any bigger eyes than that! *rolls on the floor* come to think of it, my limit only stands by watching them on TV and nothing more.
6) what's your favorite show
~ oh a lot! all anime by CLAMP. novel-based movies (like Inkheart, Harry Potter, etc). all movies by Hayao Miyazaki.. and recently i've been lovin' the 3D movies like Wall-E, Tangled, Legends of the Gaurdians, How to train ur dragon, Bolt and KUNG-FU PANDA! ok let's say, probably all Pixar prodections hehe!
7) who is your most favorite cosplayer
~ Locally: Jin, Sese, You (nyaha), Mylene, Zire, Kynkyn, Monique. Internationally: Cvy, Gk-reiko, Saya, and Jesuke.
8) many costumes but mediocre or few but amazingly accurate
~ definitely few and accurate! my room cannot shelter all the costumes even if I wanted to. probably if I have my own house, they will have a special room for it hehe! besides, i would rather treasure the more epic cosplays than the minor ones~ more will always come!
9) do you sew your costumes
~ my first 3 costumes (selphie, sakura & mint) I had them tailored. but eversince my dad saw how much I enjoyed the hobby, he was worried abt the expenses I had to splurge for one costume, that he bought me my own sewing machine haha! everysince then, i've been making my own and it sure as heck saves a lot of money~!
10) how long do you usually make them
~ it depends on the costume. a simple school uniform can take me 2 days without rest. any other costume that needs accurate detailing alone, would last me at least 4 days to a week. one thing cosplayers fail to know as a customer, it's not that easy to sew a complicated costume if there is not enough knowledge abt the costume itself. Never rush the tailor! If you want your costume accurate and neat, give it a month's advance (that includes preparations and labor). Because when a tailor gets tailor-block, we stop to rest and think. It's like art, you can't rush a true form of art! X3
11) strawberry or chocolate
~ Strawberry plox~!
12) dream (cosplay or non-cosplay related)
~ To wear an authentic kimono in Japan with a beautiful sakura field in the background! yeshh that kyahhh!
13) what do you do these days
~ human things.. eat, sleep, work, play hehe! Right now, I've been accepting commissions for those who want their costumes tailored! But I only do simple ones (like school uniforms, basic casual wear), nothing complicated at the moment.. maybe until I level-up hehe!
14) favorite cosplay ever (just pick one)
~ hmmm, it used to be my Selphie (FFVIII) cosplay, but that was until i learned it was the crowd's favorite, not mine personally. Then i realised, my favorite is Sakura of TRC, coz' i've done so much for her (catwalked, dream photoshoot, cosplayed her abroad, upgraded costumes) than I did the others for a long time. And I will continue to do her character justice until the end haha!
15) fashion and cosplay difference
~ ah yes! let's see. Cosplay is dressing up as someone else you are not, it's like that saying "A Wolf in a Sheep's Clothing" for many reasons as it may sound. Fashion is the opposite, you dress up because it's you and what you want to say to the world.
16) hardest aspect of cosplaying
~ when people start to think of you differently, may it be good or bad. most of the times it's become bad, and it's getting hard to accept the fact that they just don't know what they are saying before they criticize.
17) advice to newbies
seriously, it's all about carefully studying the character. Because you are not just putting on a similar outfit, you are about to bring that character to life. When you feel the connections between you & the character, you're thinking "How bizzare! I'd like to cosplay him/her because we are similar physically/emotionally/socially and I can do it well!" Other than saying, "I wanna cosplay him/her because he's cool or she's cute or he's got the same hair like i do!" and you have nothing in common.. it's just wrong.
18) shoutouts
HEY ANNOYING PEOPLE! *hugs* they have grown a big part of my cosplay life, I love them to bits! And of course to my family, who has always supported my weird hobby! My cute fat cat, Saku-chan for making my life miserable & wonderful at the same time, you're heaven sent! I talk a lot don't I? *smirk*
19) promotions
~ I own an online shop, together w/ my MaJeKa girls:http://majekashop.multiply.com/ we sell a wide variety of things and what-nots, please visit for those interested! I also host a blogsite:http://www.kosupurekei.com/ you can browse my pages, there's loads of stuff you can find.
my deviantart too http://katz16.deviantart.com/
This simple, and friendly lass has been making her animated favorites proud through her skills with the needle, and her dedication to mimic her characters, whether in dynamic moves or in achieving the right emotion. Katz has quite a number of cosplays through the past four years, and most of her costumes were handsewn by her, truly an enviable aspect in her craft.
Not only does she limit herself to expressing herself in cosplay, but she also lets out her imagination with fashion.
You can see her sporting different chique clothing when she's not filling in for a character in the real world.
She is 1/3 of MaJeKa, and also commissions outfits for people from simple costumes to basic casual wear. (Thinking about it, maybe I ought to have some clothing done! >.<) Her blogsite, kosupurekei.com, houses great articles that can help out cosplayers as well as read what's on her mind. She's been featuring other cosplayers and I've been fortunate to be a part of it ~ May we see more of her works in the years to come and may we not get hit by that big hadouken heading straight to our monitors!! JUMP! DUCK!! ROLL!! WEAVE!!! *evasive maneuvers*
down forward down forward + fierce punch = SHINKUUUU.... HADOUKEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------
1) what's your name
~ Kathryn Mary C. Del Rosario.. but pls call me katz! yes that's with a Z hehe nyaks!
2) how long have you cosplayed
~ *counts fingers* 4 years.. and counting!
3) where do you get your inspiration
~ anything and everything, sometimes not even cosplay-related haha!
4) what is it like to be in a character's point of view
~ it's UBER fun! you get to experience what the character envisions and actually feels! the best part is, when you find a group of people in the same series, the more you feel it becoming real.
5) have you ever wished of becoming a cartoon character
~ haha! ..errr NO, i don't think i need any bigger eyes than that! *rolls on the floor* come to think of it, my limit only stands by watching them on TV and nothing more.
6) what's your favorite show
~ oh a lot! all anime by CLAMP. novel-based movies (like Inkheart, Harry Potter, etc). all movies by Hayao Miyazaki.. and recently i've been lovin' the 3D movies like Wall-E, Tangled, Legends of the Gaurdians, How to train ur dragon, Bolt and KUNG-FU PANDA! ok let's say, probably all Pixar prodections hehe!
7) who is your most favorite cosplayer
~ Locally: Jin, Sese, You (nyaha), Mylene, Zire, Kynkyn, Monique. Internationally: Cvy, Gk-reiko, Saya, and Jesuke.
8) many costumes but mediocre or few but amazingly accurate
~ definitely few and accurate! my room cannot shelter all the costumes even if I wanted to. probably if I have my own house, they will have a special room for it hehe! besides, i would rather treasure the more epic cosplays than the minor ones~ more will always come!
9) do you sew your costumes
~ my first 3 costumes (selphie, sakura & mint) I had them tailored. but eversince my dad saw how much I enjoyed the hobby, he was worried abt the expenses I had to splurge for one costume, that he bought me my own sewing machine haha! everysince then, i've been making my own and it sure as heck saves a lot of money~!
10) how long do you usually make them
~ it depends on the costume. a simple school uniform can take me 2 days without rest. any other costume that needs accurate detailing alone, would last me at least 4 days to a week. one thing cosplayers fail to know as a customer, it's not that easy to sew a complicated costume if there is not enough knowledge abt the costume itself. Never rush the tailor! If you want your costume accurate and neat, give it a month's advance (that includes preparations and labor). Because when a tailor gets tailor-block, we stop to rest and think. It's like art, you can't rush a true form of art! X3
11) strawberry or chocolate
~ Strawberry plox~!
12) dream (cosplay or non-cosplay related)
~ To wear an authentic kimono in Japan with a beautiful sakura field in the background! yeshh that kyahhh!
13) what do you do these days
~ human things.. eat, sleep, work, play hehe! Right now, I've been accepting commissions for those who want their costumes tailored! But I only do simple ones (like school uniforms, basic casual wear), nothing complicated at the moment.. maybe until I level-up hehe!
14) favorite cosplay ever (just pick one)
~ hmmm, it used to be my Selphie (FFVIII) cosplay, but that was until i learned it was the crowd's favorite, not mine personally. Then i realised, my favorite is Sakura of TRC, coz' i've done so much for her (catwalked, dream photoshoot, cosplayed her abroad, upgraded costumes) than I did the others for a long time. And I will continue to do her character justice until the end haha!
15) fashion and cosplay difference
~ ah yes! let's see. Cosplay is dressing up as someone else you are not, it's like that saying "A Wolf in a Sheep's Clothing" for many reasons as it may sound. Fashion is the opposite, you dress up because it's you and what you want to say to the world.
16) hardest aspect of cosplaying
~ when people start to think of you differently, may it be good or bad. most of the times it's become bad, and it's getting hard to accept the fact that they just don't know what they are saying before they criticize.
17) advice to newbies
seriously, it's all about carefully studying the character. Because you are not just putting on a similar outfit, you are about to bring that character to life. When you feel the connections between you & the character, you're thinking "How bizzare! I'd like to cosplay him/her because we are similar physically/emotionally/socially and I can do it well!" Other than saying, "I wanna cosplay him/her because he's cool or she's cute or he's got the same hair like i do!" and you have nothing in common.. it's just wrong.
18) shoutouts
HEY ANNOYING PEOPLE! *hugs* they have grown a big part of my cosplay life, I love them to bits! And of course to my family, who has always supported my weird hobby! My cute fat cat, Saku-chan for making my life miserable & wonderful at the same time, you're heaven sent! I talk a lot don't I? *smirk*
19) promotions
~ I own an online shop, together w/ my MaJeKa girls:http://majekashop.multiply.com/ we sell a wide variety of things and what-nots, please visit for those interested! I also host a blogsite:http://www.kosupurekei.com/ you can browse my pages, there's loads of stuff you can find.
my deviantart too http://katz16.deviantart.com/
Ralph Villaluz - Bringing characters to life since 2009
photo by: MEEEE!!! OMGWTHBBQ!!!
A good day to you, dear reader~ It's time for another behind-the-cosplay feature!! Apologies for the past week of no-show. Life's been very busy because of this and that. To top it off, I'm preparing for something big coming this June~ XP Anyway, curtains please~ *pulls curtains*
Locally, we seldom see cosplayers who actually personify their characters off-cam, I'm guilty in this aspect in some of my cosplays... ok, most of them OTL. I'm not sure about cosplayers overseas, but it's very evident here~ For starters, it's difficult to be in character especially when you have one that's really on a different page from your own. Second, not everybody's gifted with acting.
For today's feature, we have Ralph Villaluz, aka Jetstorm, who's always in character and always oh-so-awesome. He really brings his characters to life. Whether he's the psycopathic Mitsuhide Akechi from Sengoku Basara, or the ever-silent Raidou Kuzunoha from Shin Megami Tensei, he always brings his A-game to the mound. In my opinion, he's one of the very few people who put the "play" in cosplay. His ability to role-play his characters is arguably a feat not everyone has overcome in the history of cosplaying. I can safely say he's one of the best cosplayers, I know, to date when it comes to being the character.
He's done a number of cosplays so far, and each one accurate. I look forward to his future works with tippy toes~
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Your name
- Ralph Patrick Villaluz
how long have you cosplayed
- 3 years
what is cosplay to you?
- For me, cosplaying is paying tribute to the characters you love by being them, body (costume) and soul (characterization)
which type of characters do you favor cosplaying?
- Video game characters (preferably side-scrollers and hack-en-slash)
have you had cosplay mishaps? how'd you solve it?
- PCC 2009, I accidentally hit myself on the head with one end of my sanjiegun. It didn't hurt, but damn was it embarrassing.
- During Ozine 2011, the swivel hinge of my sword holster fell off. Luckily, my friends and I were able to purchase new nuts and bolts for the swivel hinge.
which cosplayer (local/foreign) do you look up to the most, why?
- I mostly look up to Dennis "Denggoy" Isidoro. He's not only inspiring, but he's also very friendly to his fellow cosplayers.
your hardest cosplay to date?
- Mitushide Akechi from Sengoku Basara. 'He' takes an hour to prepare: putting make-up all over your body, having your buddies tie you up, not to mention adjusting the straps afterwards.
do you like playing video games? what genre?
- A lot! I mostly prefer hack-en-slash, side-scrollers and a few 1st person shooters.
game or cartoon characters (preference for cosplay)? why?
- I actually have a lot, but just to name a few planned:
Game:
Protoman from Megaman
- he's a loner, like me
Nathan Graves from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- we have an adventurous soul, not to mention a strong sense of loyalty
Cartoon:
Max Ray from the Centurions
- he's smart, tactical, not to mentioned level-headed
(HH - OH MAAAANN!!! CENTURIONS!!! I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS!!!)
Is characterization important?
- A LOT! What's the point of cosplaying if you don't act like you character, right?
(HH - point taken!)
Which do you think weighs more, accuracy in costume or accuracy in character?
- I like to have a balance of both.
Who's your favorite character of all time?
- I really can't answer that question well; there're so many characters that I love that I can't decide with one. I guess I don't have favoritism.
What are your other hobbies?
- Aside from netsurfing, I also go trekking, hiking, and given the chance, mountain climbing
define the hobby, cosplay
- Cosplay is composed of two words; costume and play. Without one (most of the time 'play'), it isn't cosplay anymore. Cosplay is paying tribute to a character you love, as I've mentioned above.
Advice for newbies or those planning:
- To all newbies out there, before going out there to cosplay, always do your research, and alway pick a character that you know you love. Listen to your kuyas and ates because they can provide you rich information. Finally, and I can't stress this out enough, never use cosplay to gain fame for all the wrong reasons.
do you have sites for promotion?
- Add me up on Facebook, but remember to read my rules, and you'll be okay.
Kin Hoshi - The Golden Star
Photo by *points to self*
A pleasant day to each and everyone of you readers! :D I hope everyone's been having a good day so far~ For today's feature, we have someone who's celebrating her birthday today!! Do you know who? Of course you do, I already posted her name in the title XDD
Kin Hoshi's got star power. She can cosplay well, knows how to pick the right characters, and always wears a glowing expression on her face. It's always a good thing to be greeted with such a warm smile, right? She's done a number of cosplays, and the ones I've seen are recipients of the "thumb of approval". My favorite cosplay of hers to date would be the somewhat air-headed, frail, but ever-so optimistic Nagisa from Clannad *points at picture at left side* Another cool cosplay of hers was her Heero Yuy crossplay. She totally bagged that one head to toe, in my opinion.
You can see signs of improvement every time she unveils a new cosplay. I wonder how much more stunning her future cosplays would be like! *eager*
I wonder if she has any plans on cosplaying armored heroines? *scratches chin*. We're just going to have to wait and see, won't we? :D
special message to Kin Hoshi: Happy Birthday!! I hope you had a grand time today!! woo woo!!
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what's your name?
- Kinoshi , my japanese name, means golden star! Kin means gold while hoshi means star
ooh~ nice name! could you tell me a bit about the background behind your name's origin?
- I'm a half chinese. My parents named me as "Kim Shing" which also means Golden Star. ;D Well actually my real name is also related to a star :))
how long have you been cosplaying?
- I've start cosplaying since the very 1st Cosplaymania - 2008. I consider the cosplaymania event special, that's why i want it to be an annual go-to event for me.
what made you decide to cosplay?
- I was inspired by a cosplayer named kipi after seeing her wonderful cosplay photos posted on the net. I initially thought about just having one costume, Sakura Kinimoto's winter uniform to be exact, ever. But after gaining so many friends, well, here I am today! :3
Who's Kipi?- she's the cutest Asuka cosplayer for me :> and also Rin Kagamine. for me, kipi is like my cosplay goddess.
she's japanese, by the way
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fgroups%2F681101%40N21%2F&h=46d82
aaaah~ thanks for enlightening me! among your cosplays, which one is your current favorite and why?
- so hard!! to be honest, all of my cosplays are my favorite! but my current fave right now is Nagisa
do you make your own costumes?
nope I have a tailor and props maker. if it's easy enough for me though, like "cut and paste", i do it
how many cosplays have you done to date?
- *thinks* etou..... hmmmm.... around 25 plus because some are no-name lolitas and i just added them into the fray
what's your all-time favorite anime?
- Gundam Wing!! The story's close to reality and my ideal man is there, Heero Yuy!
i even read their manga, ground zero, battlefield of the pacifists and my fave, blind target, which housed a kissing scene between heero and relena XD kyaaaaaa
who's your favorite character in the series and why?
- Heero Yuy! *echo* because he's tsundere! that and he's the super cool emo dude! XDD
next question! what do you see cosplay as?
- cosplay is for fun. I'm enjoying my youth and energy with this extra-curricular activity!
aside from cosplaying, what other hobbies do you have?
hmm drawing,swimming plushie collecting o,o I have a lot of plushies and gashapons, they're small, but huge in number! O.O
do you like buying toys/figures?
- yes, I'm a collector, but i mainly collect the characters i've cosplayed!Figma or Revoltech?
- figma because aren't most revoltechs for boys? O_o that, and they're EXPENSIVE!!! T_T
which do you prefer, big or small conventions?
- big! i especially like the annual events such as tagcom, toycon, mangaholix, ozine, and cosplaymania since it's much more worth going
inside with the larger number of exhibitors, and cosplay friends
do you have any cosplayers you look up to? do give your top 3 and why
- kipi! i got my maddie smile from her! it's a smile without showing my teeth then with big eyes like from anime :))
- cvy because of her crossplays. I got the heero yuy idea from her!
- bea araneta because one of my friends thought i was her when i still wasn't cosplaying. my friend saw a picture of her on DA and asked me if that was me!
what do you think would be your most ridiculous cosplay plan ever?
- insane black rock shooter because i was prohibited due to the fact that its' too daring and her bazooka's too heavy! but it would be really cool, though!
what's your dream? (cosplay and non-cosplay)
- to ride a gundam!!
- to cosplay heero yuy in pilot suit!! kyaaaaa!!!
do you like sweets? what's your favorite dessert?
Ube, ice cream and cheese!! i like eating the cheese bars at home :3
have you ever had any cosplay mishaps?
i believe there will always be circumstances when there would be sudden change of plans.
there was a time when our just be friends photoshoot ended up not having a miku in the set because our miku had to go home early
and it was getting pretty late that time
what's your favorite holiday?
- Christmas! i like giving gifts and i'm always thankful for having a year filled with good memories and friends
what's your most unique cosplay?
- ayumi yamada from honey and clover. it was very simple! i actually, just pulled my attire from my closet and wore a blond wig!
any advice to our newbies and would-be cosplayers?
- dream believe survive :)) LOL starstruck XD
words for your friends, family, fans?
- Thank you for all the love and support "Mahal ko kayo" 8D
do you have any sites you want to promote?
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinoshi/
- majekashop.multiply.com
Kin Hoshi's got star power. She can cosplay well, knows how to pick the right characters, and always wears a glowing expression on her face. It's always a good thing to be greeted with such a warm smile, right? She's done a number of cosplays, and the ones I've seen are recipients of the "thumb of approval". My favorite cosplay of hers to date would be the somewhat air-headed, frail, but ever-so optimistic Nagisa from Clannad *points at picture at left side* Another cool cosplay of hers was her Heero Yuy crossplay. She totally bagged that one head to toe, in my opinion.
You can see signs of improvement every time she unveils a new cosplay. I wonder how much more stunning her future cosplays would be like! *eager*
I wonder if she has any plans on cosplaying armored heroines? *scratches chin*. We're just going to have to wait and see, won't we? :D
special message to Kin Hoshi: Happy Birthday!! I hope you had a grand time today!! woo woo!!
---------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- Kinoshi , my japanese name, means golden star! Kin means gold while hoshi means star
ooh~ nice name! could you tell me a bit about the background behind your name's origin?
- I'm a half chinese. My parents named me as "Kim Shing" which also means Golden Star. ;D Well actually my real name is also related to a star :))
how long have you been cosplaying?
- I've start cosplaying since the very 1st Cosplaymania - 2008. I consider the cosplaymania event special, that's why i want it to be an annual go-to event for me.
what made you decide to cosplay?
- I was inspired by a cosplayer named kipi after seeing her wonderful cosplay photos posted on the net. I initially thought about just having one costume, Sakura Kinimoto's winter uniform to be exact, ever. But after gaining so many friends, well, here I am today! :3
Who's Kipi?- she's the cutest Asuka cosplayer for me :> and also Rin Kagamine. for me, kipi is like my cosplay goddess.
she's japanese, by the way
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fgroups%2F681101%40N21%2F&h=46d82
aaaah~ thanks for enlightening me! among your cosplays, which one is your current favorite and why?
- so hard!! to be honest, all of my cosplays are my favorite! but my current fave right now is Nagisa
do you make your own costumes?
nope I have a tailor and props maker. if it's easy enough for me though, like "cut and paste", i do it
how many cosplays have you done to date?
- *thinks* etou..... hmmmm.... around 25 plus because some are no-name lolitas and i just added them into the fray
what's your all-time favorite anime?
- Gundam Wing!! The story's close to reality and my ideal man is there, Heero Yuy!
i even read their manga, ground zero, battlefield of the pacifists and my fave, blind target, which housed a kissing scene between heero and relena XD kyaaaaaa
who's your favorite character in the series and why?
- Heero Yuy! *echo* because he's tsundere! that and he's the super cool emo dude! XDD
next question! what do you see cosplay as?
- cosplay is for fun. I'm enjoying my youth and energy with this extra-curricular activity!
aside from cosplaying, what other hobbies do you have?
hmm drawing,swimming plushie collecting o,o I have a lot of plushies and gashapons, they're small, but huge in number! O.O
do you like buying toys/figures?
- yes, I'm a collector, but i mainly collect the characters i've cosplayed!Figma or Revoltech?
- figma because aren't most revoltechs for boys? O_o that, and they're EXPENSIVE!!! T_T
which do you prefer, big or small conventions?
- big! i especially like the annual events such as tagcom, toycon, mangaholix, ozine, and cosplaymania since it's much more worth going
inside with the larger number of exhibitors, and cosplay friends
do you have any cosplayers you look up to? do give your top 3 and why
- kipi! i got my maddie smile from her! it's a smile without showing my teeth then with big eyes like from anime :))
- cvy because of her crossplays. I got the heero yuy idea from her!
- bea araneta because one of my friends thought i was her when i still wasn't cosplaying. my friend saw a picture of her on DA and asked me if that was me!
what do you think would be your most ridiculous cosplay plan ever?
- insane black rock shooter because i was prohibited due to the fact that its' too daring and her bazooka's too heavy! but it would be really cool, though!
what's your dream? (cosplay and non-cosplay)
- to ride a gundam!!
- to cosplay heero yuy in pilot suit!! kyaaaaa!!!
do you like sweets? what's your favorite dessert?
Ube, ice cream and cheese!! i like eating the cheese bars at home :3
have you ever had any cosplay mishaps?
i believe there will always be circumstances when there would be sudden change of plans.
there was a time when our just be friends photoshoot ended up not having a miku in the set because our miku had to go home early
and it was getting pretty late that time
what's your favorite holiday?
- Christmas! i like giving gifts and i'm always thankful for having a year filled with good memories and friends
what's your most unique cosplay?
- ayumi yamada from honey and clover. it was very simple! i actually, just pulled my attire from my closet and wore a blond wig!
any advice to our newbies and would-be cosplayers?
- dream believe survive :)) LOL starstruck XD
words for your friends, family, fans?
- Thank you for all the love and support "Mahal ko kayo" 8D
do you have any sites you want to promote?
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinoshi/
- majekashop.multiply.com
Niko Shinn Cruz - Rider Power!
Photo by anonymous
For this week, we have a man who's evolved his cosplay from simple to intricate during the span of his years of cosplaying. Started with Tenma Kodou's outfit from Gransazers one of the Kamen Riders that people love today. When you look at him at first glance, you might think he's the type who would just keep his thoughts to himself. But once you get to know him, he'll prove you wrong. He's pretty lively and quite the knowledgeable person to boot. Ask him anything gadget-related, and you're sure to get the answers you're looking for. I've been able to join shoots with him and it has always been fun.
A henshin enthusiast and friend to Denggoy, he's been entertaining fans with his cool poses and his fellow cosplayers with his wonderful pictures. He's currently inactive/retired in cosplaying, and has been frequenting conventions as a photographer. If I were to describe him in a nutshell, I'd say he's the Kamen Rider Black RX of local cosplay. Has 3 forms, but still the same person at the end of the day.
Enough chit-chat, time to dive in headfirst and see what this cool dude has to say! woo woo!!
-----------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- I'm Niko Miguel M. Cruz. aka Niko Shinn or simply just "niko" or "shin". Shinn
it was my codename when I joined various anime text clans like Anime Clan Unlimited (acu) I was a big fan of Shinn Asuka from GSD back in High school
how long have you been cosplaying?
- Well, that's complicated. I started back in Toycon 2006. I cosplayed Tenma Kodou from Gransazers. His outfit somewhat resembled Minami Kotaro's (KR Black)
When it was 2007, I cosplayed a L Lawliet from the manga/anime Death note. That was during the 1st Mangaholix Manga Mania event.
Yun yung event na unang nauso yung Cosplay pre registration. So many cosplayer
during that time were having a hard time registering. i was the first cosplayer able to register. "I was cosplayer number 1". That's why some people during that time called me "L number 1". In my early cosplay years, my cosplays were very very simple and effortless, The type you'd get from the closet or UK
But thanks to my long time tokusatsu mentor and friend, Dennis Isidoro aka Sharivan, he helped me to fullfill my dream cosplay, and that's Kamen rider Agito!
I debuted as Kamen Rider Agito at Cosplaymania 2008 It was not very accurate as compared to the Rider Cos'ers you'd see today, but I was very satisfied.I'm very happy to have been given the chance to meet tons of friendly and cool people from the local cosplay community. I also got to meet people with the same fields of interest in the otaku subculture like gundams and tokusatsu. I've a total of 5 years but I only consider it being 3 because the first two years were, in my opinion, too simple
What are your other hobbies?
- Well, I'm a geek! I like techie stuffs. And also a love listening to various Music genres from Jpop to death metal, even world music.
Currently,Digital photography is my most loved hobby I started that hobby 4yrs ago. When my mom bought a second hand Canon Powershot A400. A simple point and shoot camera. Also when i was in 2nd year college, Most of my school friends got a DSLR camera. Which ignited my interest in photography.
Also, I'm collecting some Tokusatsu,anime and Gundam figures. When i was in Cavite, i love biking. I am also in to jogging in UST or UP with my mother during weekends.
what makes cosplaying different?
- Whoa that's a tough question. Well Cosplay is different for me. Because it is like a deep expression of being a otaku. In a way that to dressed up amd act like
your favorite anime/manga/game/tokusatsu character.But nowdays, i observed that cosplay now is not just limited to Japanese pop culture. It cross overs now with western characters like Or even Koreandrama characters.I hate it when some people consider cosplay as a
usual everylife fashion. Or some people that think cosplay is childish and stupid. When cosplay is just a subculture. Don't take it too seriouslt that some people forget the real world. Cosplay is just cosplay. DIGS?
HH - DIGS!
what's your ultimate dream?
- In life? or in my cosplay career? Well, in life, a want to become a execlutive for a PR firm someday. Or become a photo journalist. In my cosplay career, I want to become a judge for a major cosplay competion. I think i can do it. Because i'm attending conventions since 2005. And i both experience cosplaying and as a cosplay photographer. Simply, a judge representing a typical Otaku/con-goer. I hope someday it will happen.
what type of bike would you like to have?
- Denggoy! i mean his Kamen rider accel cosplay! Coz accel can transform/henshin into a bike! An urban bicycle that is lightweight and SHIMANO
equipped. Or an exact replica of Kamen rider Agito's Machine Tornador Motorbike.
HH - whoa~ sounds cool!
do you like branded gear?
- Sometimes, if you trust the brand and use it for several years. But i'm not into branded stuff just because it's the trend. I buy ones for their use and durability
For example, All the point and shoot cameras here in our home are Canons. Because those camera were user friendly and delivers good image quality.
what equipment do you use?
Currenly i got a Canon Powershot S5 IS, it is a Prosumer, Bridge compact camera. It has 12x optical zoom(37mm-460mm) and it has manual exposure controls. I've been using this for 3yrs. A Nikon F801s, a film autofocus 35mm SLR, i rarely use this. it's been used only in 3 cosplay photoshoots(BRS, Kamen rider W, Megurine Luka) And recently a New Nikon D3100, today
what made you dwell into photography?
- I wasn't really expecting myself to get into this hobby. I was really into computers back in HS. But since the cameras today are much more user-friendly, it's become a sort of advantage for people. I'm one of those people who were affected by photography's modernization. I like it more so now because it's related to my course, Mass-Com and to Cosplay!does this hobby make you feel at ease?
Yes, because now you can shoot and shoot until a memory card is full. It is like a creative freedom to me. i can interpret simple thing in my own artistic or expressive point of view.
as a congoer and photographer, what have you noticed?
- Many people nowaday use DSLRS. Some were true otaku at heart, some were just curious.
could you share with us some cosplay photography etiquette? I believe a number of people need to know these~
- Ask permission to the csoplayer that you will take a photographer of him or her. - after shooting thank him or her. Sometimes i do a bow.
- Delete some accindental "echii" shots or dont upload them never! example is you're taking a photo of you certain female cosplayer and
suddendly there's a strong wind that blew her skirt upwards
- build rapport, tete-a-tete with them. - And give the site where do you upload the photos.
DIGS?HH - DIGS!
any advice to our would-be cosplayers and photographers?
- For cosplayer, follow your passion. But be in moderation. School and family must be the 1st priority. Cosplay can wait! kasi halos every week na kasi may mga conventions. Be humble, you're a cosplayer not a diva,celebrity or primadonna. Choose your friends in cosplay. Not all of them are good. (I'm not saying the cosplay world is full of evil people) And learn and value of saving and being resourceful. For photographers, follow your dreams! Don't be shy, just shoot! Think possitive, don't give up and always go to www.dpreview.com And don't really massively on Photoshop. You're a photographer, not a graphic artist. And most importantly, read your Camera's user manual! DIGS?
HH - DIGS!!
shoutouts to your friends, family, and fans?
- *kirah!* Let's always love and understand each other. Quoting Ms. Trisha Rueda, "Keep the passion burning!"
* Ms.Trisha Rueda, a photographer from analog camera collector from Bulacan*visit his sites to see more of his works!!niko26.multiply.comnikocruz.deviantart.com
A henshin enthusiast and friend to Denggoy, he's been entertaining fans with his cool poses and his fellow cosplayers with his wonderful pictures. He's currently inactive/retired in cosplaying, and has been frequenting conventions as a photographer. If I were to describe him in a nutshell, I'd say he's the Kamen Rider Black RX of local cosplay. Has 3 forms, but still the same person at the end of the day.
Enough chit-chat, time to dive in headfirst and see what this cool dude has to say! woo woo!!
-----------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- I'm Niko Miguel M. Cruz. aka Niko Shinn or simply just "niko" or "shin". Shinn
it was my codename when I joined various anime text clans like Anime Clan Unlimited (acu) I was a big fan of Shinn Asuka from GSD back in High school
how long have you been cosplaying?
- Well, that's complicated. I started back in Toycon 2006. I cosplayed Tenma Kodou from Gransazers. His outfit somewhat resembled Minami Kotaro's (KR Black)
When it was 2007, I cosplayed a L Lawliet from the manga/anime Death note. That was during the 1st Mangaholix Manga Mania event.
Yun yung event na unang nauso yung Cosplay pre registration. So many cosplayer
during that time were having a hard time registering. i was the first cosplayer able to register. "I was cosplayer number 1". That's why some people during that time called me "L number 1". In my early cosplay years, my cosplays were very very simple and effortless, The type you'd get from the closet or UK
But thanks to my long time tokusatsu mentor and friend, Dennis Isidoro aka Sharivan, he helped me to fullfill my dream cosplay, and that's Kamen rider Agito!
I debuted as Kamen Rider Agito at Cosplaymania 2008 It was not very accurate as compared to the Rider Cos'ers you'd see today, but I was very satisfied.I'm very happy to have been given the chance to meet tons of friendly and cool people from the local cosplay community. I also got to meet people with the same fields of interest in the otaku subculture like gundams and tokusatsu. I've a total of 5 years but I only consider it being 3 because the first two years were, in my opinion, too simple
What are your other hobbies?
- Well, I'm a geek! I like techie stuffs. And also a love listening to various Music genres from Jpop to death metal, even world music.
Currently,Digital photography is my most loved hobby I started that hobby 4yrs ago. When my mom bought a second hand Canon Powershot A400. A simple point and shoot camera. Also when i was in 2nd year college, Most of my school friends got a DSLR camera. Which ignited my interest in photography.
Also, I'm collecting some Tokusatsu,anime and Gundam figures. When i was in Cavite, i love biking. I am also in to jogging in UST or UP with my mother during weekends.
what makes cosplaying different?
- Whoa that's a tough question. Well Cosplay is different for me. Because it is like a deep expression of being a otaku. In a way that to dressed up amd act like
your favorite anime/manga/game/tokusatsu character.But nowdays, i observed that cosplay now is not just limited to Japanese pop culture. It cross overs now with western characters like Or even Koreandrama characters.I hate it when some people consider cosplay as a
usual everylife fashion. Or some people that think cosplay is childish and stupid. When cosplay is just a subculture. Don't take it too seriouslt that some people forget the real world. Cosplay is just cosplay. DIGS?
HH - DIGS!
what's your ultimate dream?
- In life? or in my cosplay career? Well, in life, a want to become a execlutive for a PR firm someday. Or become a photo journalist. In my cosplay career, I want to become a judge for a major cosplay competion. I think i can do it. Because i'm attending conventions since 2005. And i both experience cosplaying and as a cosplay photographer. Simply, a judge representing a typical Otaku/con-goer. I hope someday it will happen.
what type of bike would you like to have?
- Denggoy! i mean his Kamen rider accel cosplay! Coz accel can transform/henshin into a bike! An urban bicycle that is lightweight and SHIMANO
equipped. Or an exact replica of Kamen rider Agito's Machine Tornador Motorbike.
HH - whoa~ sounds cool!
do you like branded gear?
- Sometimes, if you trust the brand and use it for several years. But i'm not into branded stuff just because it's the trend. I buy ones for their use and durability
For example, All the point and shoot cameras here in our home are Canons. Because those camera were user friendly and delivers good image quality.
what equipment do you use?
Currenly i got a Canon Powershot S5 IS, it is a Prosumer, Bridge compact camera. It has 12x optical zoom(37mm-460mm) and it has manual exposure controls. I've been using this for 3yrs. A Nikon F801s, a film autofocus 35mm SLR, i rarely use this. it's been used only in 3 cosplay photoshoots(BRS, Kamen rider W, Megurine Luka) And recently a New Nikon D3100, today
what made you dwell into photography?
- I wasn't really expecting myself to get into this hobby. I was really into computers back in HS. But since the cameras today are much more user-friendly, it's become a sort of advantage for people. I'm one of those people who were affected by photography's modernization. I like it more so now because it's related to my course, Mass-Com and to Cosplay!does this hobby make you feel at ease?
Yes, because now you can shoot and shoot until a memory card is full. It is like a creative freedom to me. i can interpret simple thing in my own artistic or expressive point of view.
as a congoer and photographer, what have you noticed?
- Many people nowaday use DSLRS. Some were true otaku at heart, some were just curious.
could you share with us some cosplay photography etiquette? I believe a number of people need to know these~
- Ask permission to the csoplayer that you will take a photographer of him or her. - after shooting thank him or her. Sometimes i do a bow.
- Delete some accindental "echii" shots or dont upload them never! example is you're taking a photo of you certain female cosplayer and
suddendly there's a strong wind that blew her skirt upwards
- build rapport, tete-a-tete with them. - And give the site where do you upload the photos.
DIGS?HH - DIGS!
any advice to our would-be cosplayers and photographers?
- For cosplayer, follow your passion. But be in moderation. School and family must be the 1st priority. Cosplay can wait! kasi halos every week na kasi may mga conventions. Be humble, you're a cosplayer not a diva,celebrity or primadonna. Choose your friends in cosplay. Not all of them are good. (I'm not saying the cosplay world is full of evil people) And learn and value of saving and being resourceful. For photographers, follow your dreams! Don't be shy, just shoot! Think possitive, don't give up and always go to www.dpreview.com And don't really massively on Photoshop. You're a photographer, not a graphic artist. And most importantly, read your Camera's user manual! DIGS?
HH - DIGS!!
shoutouts to your friends, family, and fans?
- *kirah!* Let's always love and understand each other. Quoting Ms. Trisha Rueda, "Keep the passion burning!"
* Ms.Trisha Rueda, a photographer from analog camera collector from Bulacan*visit his sites to see more of his works!!niko26.multiply.comnikocruz.deviantart.com
Roddz - A Needle filled with Fantasy
Photo by Happy Hario
This week's feature is one of the first people I've gotten acquainted to since I started cosplay photography back in 2009. He's a very interesting individual and a more intriguing cosplayer. His choices of characters are not the ones you would often see in conventions, and I believe this to be a good thing. In my opinion, to be able to bring a character to life is to first have a liking to it. That way, one would have the drive to study the character more, and in turn, be able to express the character's personality.
He goes by the name of Roddz, and has been a veteran of 4 years. He's definitely got the talent and the passion in anything that he does. Dedication always apparent, he always bring his A-game whether in cosplay, LEGO, or work. 3 of my favorite cosplays he's done are Kazehaya from Kimi Ni Todoke, Bartz Klauser from Final Fantasy IV, and Son Goku from Dragonball Z.
A very inspiring person, he is. He always steps up to the plate and delivers stunning cosplays one after the other. A great cosplayer he may be, there's not a hint of air that you can feel from his words, nor his actions. There's more to this cosplayer than what I can possibly write down. Here's what I can say, though. Get to know him and learn what he really is from your own point of view.
P.S. I really envy the fact that he's able to sew his own costumes.... I have zero talent with the needle and thread T^T
*cries in a corner*
-----------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- My name is Rod Ayson. Most of my friends call me roddz, others Cross, and for some unknown reason, a handful of people prefer to call me "Jon".
how long have you cosplayed?
- I've been cosplaying for 4 years now, starting from early 2007. Back then, I preferred to only portray characters from RPGs, but as time went on, I also tried different genres like anime, manga, and even western animation.
who's your favorite character?
- I love most of the characters I cosplayed (who doesn't XP), but unfortunately, my most favorite one is a female: Mizuho Kazami from Please Teacher. Too bad I'm a guy, so I won't be able to portray her myself, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for someone who (hopefully) will.
do you like sports?
- Sports? It's not that I don't like it. I'm just not into it. I often go to the gym, though--to keep myself fit.
how about video games?
- As for video games, I really love them, but nowadays I find myself to get easily bored especially with the ones that take a lot of time to finish. I still keep myself updated with the latest ones, though! ^^
what is your dream? (not cosplay)
- My dream... Let's see... I think it would be to get a house of my own. And not just any other house! I want it to be a mansion with lots of open space! And I want it to be all white, too! XDD
do you like competiting?
- It depends on what I'm competing for, but most of the time I just didn't care whether I win or not, as long as I finish what I'm doing. In cosplay, I seldom compete at all! XP
what type of character do you like? (cosplay)
- Most of the characters that I like to cosplay are mostly from fantasy RPGs--mostly the ones who carry swords. I also want to cosplay characters from Tokusatsu, but I still haven't done those. T^T
who makes your costumes?
- Most of my costumes are hand made by me--from the main outfit and the props, but there are also times that I have it done by my seamstress when I don't have the free time.
what makes you busy these days? (hobby)
- Well, aside from cosplaying, I also have other hobbies like writing scripts and building with LEGOs. Thing is, I don't have time to do even a single one of them for a couple of weeks now because of my training. QAQ
are you a lego-holic? why?
- YES, I AM! AND I'M PROUD TO BE ONE! ...I can't really say why, but ever since I was a kid, I really loved building with LEGOs. Unlike today, I wasn't able to buy the big sets back then, so perhaps a part of it is that I'm trying to fill in the gaps of my big-lego-set-less childhood. T^T
what's your favorite LEGO set?
- Right now it's the Medieval Market Village, which I got around 2 months ago. It's a 2009 set for the Fantasy Era Castle theme, and is also the biggest set in the theme. I really like the RPG-like atmosphere that it gives off. There are also other sets that I want like Harry Potter's Hogwarts Castle and The Burrows sets, and also the new Pirates of the Caribbean sets. Gaaaahhh!! I want them so much!! ...Okay, I'm being such a geek again. Haha!
what time do you usually sleep?
- Nowadays, I sleep at around 2 to 4 AM., even when I have an early morning schedule. I really have to fix my body clock one of these days. =o=;
who are your top 3 cosplay idols?
- My top 3 cosplay idols...Well, first is Jin Joson. Do I still have to explain why? XPP
- Second is a cosplayer named "ayaka". She's from Japan, and I really love her portrayal of Mizuho Kazami! ♥♥♥
- Third would be...hmm... gijin? He's also a cosplayer from Japan, and a very good one at that. He's very friendly, too! ^^
what do you do whenever you come across costume malfunctions?
- Well, whenever my costume malfunctions, all I have to do is to fix it with my handy-dandy super glue!
do you always bring grecco/a sewing kit?
- I don't really access to grecco, so I just bring whatever is available. Come to think of it, I don't bring a sewing kit with me when I cosplay...perhaps I should start doing so. O___O;
what's your favorite kind of prop?
- My favorite prop? SWORDS! ...Or any other kind of weapon that I can mess around with. XP
advice for newbies
- My advice for new cosplayers is to do the hobby not because you want attention or to be appreciated by others, but instead to show value to the characters that we love so much. And while you're at it, just enjoy! XDD
shoutouts
- I just want to say to everyone to LOVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND ALWAYS BE HAPPY!
for promotion (sites, shops, etc)- I can't really think of anything to promote...my dA perhaps?
http://roddzki.deviantart.com/ (for my cosplays)
http://roddz-art.deviantart.com/ (for my drawings) XP
He goes by the name of Roddz, and has been a veteran of 4 years. He's definitely got the talent and the passion in anything that he does. Dedication always apparent, he always bring his A-game whether in cosplay, LEGO, or work. 3 of my favorite cosplays he's done are Kazehaya from Kimi Ni Todoke, Bartz Klauser from Final Fantasy IV, and Son Goku from Dragonball Z.
A very inspiring person, he is. He always steps up to the plate and delivers stunning cosplays one after the other. A great cosplayer he may be, there's not a hint of air that you can feel from his words, nor his actions. There's more to this cosplayer than what I can possibly write down. Here's what I can say, though. Get to know him and learn what he really is from your own point of view.
P.S. I really envy the fact that he's able to sew his own costumes.... I have zero talent with the needle and thread T^T
*cries in a corner*
-----------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- My name is Rod Ayson. Most of my friends call me roddz, others Cross, and for some unknown reason, a handful of people prefer to call me "Jon".
how long have you cosplayed?
- I've been cosplaying for 4 years now, starting from early 2007. Back then, I preferred to only portray characters from RPGs, but as time went on, I also tried different genres like anime, manga, and even western animation.
who's your favorite character?
- I love most of the characters I cosplayed (who doesn't XP), but unfortunately, my most favorite one is a female: Mizuho Kazami from Please Teacher. Too bad I'm a guy, so I won't be able to portray her myself, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for someone who (hopefully) will.
do you like sports?
- Sports? It's not that I don't like it. I'm just not into it. I often go to the gym, though--to keep myself fit.
how about video games?
- As for video games, I really love them, but nowadays I find myself to get easily bored especially with the ones that take a lot of time to finish. I still keep myself updated with the latest ones, though! ^^
what is your dream? (not cosplay)
- My dream... Let's see... I think it would be to get a house of my own. And not just any other house! I want it to be a mansion with lots of open space! And I want it to be all white, too! XDD
do you like competiting?
- It depends on what I'm competing for, but most of the time I just didn't care whether I win or not, as long as I finish what I'm doing. In cosplay, I seldom compete at all! XP
what type of character do you like? (cosplay)
- Most of the characters that I like to cosplay are mostly from fantasy RPGs--mostly the ones who carry swords. I also want to cosplay characters from Tokusatsu, but I still haven't done those. T^T
who makes your costumes?
- Most of my costumes are hand made by me--from the main outfit and the props, but there are also times that I have it done by my seamstress when I don't have the free time.
what makes you busy these days? (hobby)
- Well, aside from cosplaying, I also have other hobbies like writing scripts and building with LEGOs. Thing is, I don't have time to do even a single one of them for a couple of weeks now because of my training. QAQ
are you a lego-holic? why?
- YES, I AM! AND I'M PROUD TO BE ONE! ...I can't really say why, but ever since I was a kid, I really loved building with LEGOs. Unlike today, I wasn't able to buy the big sets back then, so perhaps a part of it is that I'm trying to fill in the gaps of my big-lego-set-less childhood. T^T
what's your favorite LEGO set?
- Right now it's the Medieval Market Village, which I got around 2 months ago. It's a 2009 set for the Fantasy Era Castle theme, and is also the biggest set in the theme. I really like the RPG-like atmosphere that it gives off. There are also other sets that I want like Harry Potter's Hogwarts Castle and The Burrows sets, and also the new Pirates of the Caribbean sets. Gaaaahhh!! I want them so much!! ...Okay, I'm being such a geek again. Haha!
what time do you usually sleep?
- Nowadays, I sleep at around 2 to 4 AM., even when I have an early morning schedule. I really have to fix my body clock one of these days. =o=;
who are your top 3 cosplay idols?
- My top 3 cosplay idols...Well, first is Jin Joson. Do I still have to explain why? XPP
- Second is a cosplayer named "ayaka". She's from Japan, and I really love her portrayal of Mizuho Kazami! ♥♥♥
- Third would be...hmm... gijin? He's also a cosplayer from Japan, and a very good one at that. He's very friendly, too! ^^
what do you do whenever you come across costume malfunctions?
- Well, whenever my costume malfunctions, all I have to do is to fix it with my handy-dandy super glue!
do you always bring grecco/a sewing kit?
- I don't really access to grecco, so I just bring whatever is available. Come to think of it, I don't bring a sewing kit with me when I cosplay...perhaps I should start doing so. O___O;
what's your favorite kind of prop?
- My favorite prop? SWORDS! ...Or any other kind of weapon that I can mess around with. XP
advice for newbies
- My advice for new cosplayers is to do the hobby not because you want attention or to be appreciated by others, but instead to show value to the characters that we love so much. And while you're at it, just enjoy! XDD
shoutouts
- I just want to say to everyone to LOVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND ALWAYS BE HAPPY!
for promotion (sites, shops, etc)- I can't really think of anything to promote...my dA perhaps?
http://roddzki.deviantart.com/ (for my cosplays)
http://roddz-art.deviantart.com/ (for my drawings) XP
Yuu - A Joyful Soul
Photo by Zell de Belen
Howdy, reader! It's time once again for a new feature! Today, I have been blessed by the deities to be granted the opportunity of having a wonderful interview with one highly-admirable young lady who goes by the name of Shomura Yuu. Yuu, as called by all of her friends, is an expert in character portrayal, and selection. As I drink through my 1.5 bottle of Cola for energy, I can't help but be envious of Yuu's energy. Always full of vigor and wearing an uplifting smile, it makes the people around her, close or not, be influenced by the positive vibe she emmits.
I was fortunate enough to be able to pair up with her for School Rumble. She surprised me when she brought out a couple of stick-on emotions to boost the animated feel for the characters! Simple yet ingenius! Who'd have thought that a couple of cut-outs could help bring characters more to life! Very well-played, very well-played~
Yuu is quite capable with the needle and the power of grecco. If you check out her cosplays, note that her props were made by her! Her notable cosplays include Tsukamoto Tenma of School Rumble(as shown in the picture), Megurine Luka of Vocaloids, and Sunako from Yamato Nadeshiko no Shichi Henge. Honestly speaking, I've long wanted to feature her here, but due to her seemingly hectic schedule, I was hesitant. But I ish very very happy to have asked now. After reading this, dive into her DA account headfirst to see what her cosplay is all about! Enjoy! BANG BANG!!
------------------------------------------------
1.) what's your name?
- yuu shomura from the beautiful city of caloocan! *does a beauty queen wave* heheheeheh
2.) when and why did you start cosplaying?
- me and my sister minami started cosplaying in 2009. actually we saw alodia and ashley hahahahhaha when u really like anime, you research about the characters that you like and almost always, cosplays of that anime or character will also pop up, we though that "hey, we could do that, too!" we were jealous, to tell you the truth. hahahahah and at that time, i was supposed to leave soon, it seemed ridiculous to cosplay coz you'd only end up envious but what the heck, since i was leaving, and wanted more time with my sister so, that was how it began. it used to be just jealousy but eventually turned into passion XD wow, funny how things turned out, right? heheheeheh
HH - aye! but it's a good thing because we now get to see outstanding cosplays from you!
3.) what are some of your hobbies?
- me, im really an artsy person, i like doodling and coloring. Reading is also another thing that eats up my time. random dancing and doing random things hahahahhaa to kill boredom, you would usually see me cutting off spilt ends hahahaha texting my best buds, the tropang kalabit penge feat. berting!
i also like making lists XD and being an earth warrior *strikes a sentai pose*
HH - I laughed out loud with the sentai pose XDDDDDD WIN!!
4.) what makes you, yuu?
- tough question, harima-kun!!!! hmmmmmmm... what makes yuu yuu is yuu. i am different, there is something inside me that only i have. i dont know what it is exactly but i know i have it hehehheheh
5.) Are you into fashion?
- fashion.... hmmmmm im not really sure. i have a weird personality, i dont know what i like sometimes. ehhehehhe but maybe yes, coz it is a good way to express art. ^^
6.) who makes your costumes? props?
- for costumes it is a combination of me and my most trusted seamstress, ate mercy. for the actual sewing, she makes the basic clothes. Yes, i am not ashamed to say that i dont sew my own costumes. i have no skills in sewing especially with a machine XD but i would like to learn XD but for the details, if she says that she cant do it then i make it. props too, usually me. it is so fun XD props making is my favorite aspect of cosplay.^^
HH - do you like using grecco?
- grecco, yes, is so love, cheap and effective plus the pain theit causes when it comes in contact with the skin is electrifying heheheeheh masochist much? i have so much fun picking it off when it dries on my hand heheheeheh
7.) what is your dream cosplay?
- hahahahah is? it should be are! i have so many! uhmmmmmm sailormoon!!!! oMIAgad!!! XD lulu of final fantasy, yuuko ichihara of xxxholic and sheryl nome!!!!!
HH - LULU!!! YUUKOO!!! *spazzes* It seems you like long-haired characters, or is it just a coincidence? extra question: where do you get all that energy? you're always full of life! any secrets to being genki?
- in truth, i grew my hair cos i wanted to cosplay lulu and yuuko using my real hair XD coincidence maybe? XD you see i am NOT at all classy nor mysterious. that is why i would really like to cosplay those types of ladies. so for even a few glorious hours i'd be proud to say i was classy XD hahahahhha sleep and sweets and friends. when i am alone, or lack any of those three, i am the biggest grouch you would so regret meeting down the street XD
8.) who are your top 3 cosplay idols?
- top 3..... 1st is arisa mizuhara, so cute, her face always makes me smile thats why she i number 1 for me.
2nd is jesuke, no words, no words XD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3rd is jin joson coz she is so nice, no air of being a celebrity or what not.
9.) chocolate or chips?
- chocolate! no matter what form it is! and it has so many uses! plus u can dip chips in chocolate but you cant dip chocolate in chips XD
HH - good point! good point!
10.) have you cosplayed outside manila?
- yis! in singapore for afa x, with my lovely zhel. good times, good times *reminisces while scratching chin*
HH - *envy* XDDD
11.) who's your favorite character of all time?
- hmmmmmm.... luka megurine XD most prolly XD
12.) what's your favorite season?
- as long as it is not hot, it is my favorite XD
13.) Bishounen or Bishoku-ya?
- bishounen please^^ laaaaaaaa~ *troll face*
14.) Cosplay petpeeve?
- hmmmmmm XD another tough one XD why you doing this to me harima-kun?! *cries*
prolly, cosplaying just to say that you are cosplayer. i think almost all my pet peeves spawn from this. cosplaying with out knowing what it is, cosplaying coz you think it will propel you to super stardom, cosplaying coz you think it is the in thing, cosplaying a fashion etc. XD i have so many, but basically, not knowing what cosplaying is and judging it already and creating assumptions really piss me off. XD i'm so sorry, this is just what i think XD
HH - *salutes* I agree with this :D
15.) advice for newbies
- in cosplay, same as in everything you do in life, every thing needs effort and patience. keep working on improving yourself and never settle for the "pwede na yan" coz it limits your abilities. also, dont be afraid to ask questions AND look for answers. no matter how many times you ask, if you are asking a blank wall, it will never answer back. so dont just sit around and wait. act on it. ^^
16.) shoutouts
- i would like to greet my inay and sister minami!
inay me nag interview sakin, oh! waahahahahahahah minami, look! weeeeeeeeeeee and i'd like to glomp and give words of sincerest appreciation to my friends in and out of cosplay for all the support and the pang aasar, with out those annoyingly wonderful people, life would be one heck of a boring bag of cat poo XD
and hi to junjun hahahahaha ayiiiiiii
thanks so much to you as well, hario. i am so humbled by this, this interview made me think about some things hahahah
HH - it was an absolute pleasure~ :3 Thank you so much for this chance! woo hoo!! *trumpets*
17.) promotion of your site/store/anything
- i'd like to promote awareness on the environment, people please do your best to care for our earth. it is dying and we only have ourselves to blame. please do not make pa simple tapon of your trash or i'll seriously hit you behind the headdddddddd!!! grrrrrrr!!!! cliched but still the best and simplest way to help out the environment is to REDUCE, RE USE AND RECYCLE.
i has a blog on cosplay related stuff that i hope could help some people out and on everything under the jarouka sun
- http://jaroukaparade.blogspot.com/
da - http://jaroukasama.deviantart.com/
costume rental shop - megamija11.multiply.com
I was fortunate enough to be able to pair up with her for School Rumble. She surprised me when she brought out a couple of stick-on emotions to boost the animated feel for the characters! Simple yet ingenius! Who'd have thought that a couple of cut-outs could help bring characters more to life! Very well-played, very well-played~
Yuu is quite capable with the needle and the power of grecco. If you check out her cosplays, note that her props were made by her! Her notable cosplays include Tsukamoto Tenma of School Rumble(as shown in the picture), Megurine Luka of Vocaloids, and Sunako from Yamato Nadeshiko no Shichi Henge. Honestly speaking, I've long wanted to feature her here, but due to her seemingly hectic schedule, I was hesitant. But I ish very very happy to have asked now. After reading this, dive into her DA account headfirst to see what her cosplay is all about! Enjoy! BANG BANG!!
------------------------------------------------
1.) what's your name?
- yuu shomura from the beautiful city of caloocan! *does a beauty queen wave* heheheeheh
2.) when and why did you start cosplaying?
- me and my sister minami started cosplaying in 2009. actually we saw alodia and ashley hahahahhaha when u really like anime, you research about the characters that you like and almost always, cosplays of that anime or character will also pop up, we though that "hey, we could do that, too!" we were jealous, to tell you the truth. hahahahah and at that time, i was supposed to leave soon, it seemed ridiculous to cosplay coz you'd only end up envious but what the heck, since i was leaving, and wanted more time with my sister so, that was how it began. it used to be just jealousy but eventually turned into passion XD wow, funny how things turned out, right? heheheeheh
HH - aye! but it's a good thing because we now get to see outstanding cosplays from you!
3.) what are some of your hobbies?
- me, im really an artsy person, i like doodling and coloring. Reading is also another thing that eats up my time. random dancing and doing random things hahahahhaa to kill boredom, you would usually see me cutting off spilt ends hahahaha texting my best buds, the tropang kalabit penge feat. berting!
i also like making lists XD and being an earth warrior *strikes a sentai pose*
HH - I laughed out loud with the sentai pose XDDDDDD WIN!!
4.) what makes you, yuu?
- tough question, harima-kun!!!! hmmmmmmm... what makes yuu yuu is yuu. i am different, there is something inside me that only i have. i dont know what it is exactly but i know i have it hehehheheh
5.) Are you into fashion?
- fashion.... hmmmmm im not really sure. i have a weird personality, i dont know what i like sometimes. ehhehehhe but maybe yes, coz it is a good way to express art. ^^
6.) who makes your costumes? props?
- for costumes it is a combination of me and my most trusted seamstress, ate mercy. for the actual sewing, she makes the basic clothes. Yes, i am not ashamed to say that i dont sew my own costumes. i have no skills in sewing especially with a machine XD but i would like to learn XD but for the details, if she says that she cant do it then i make it. props too, usually me. it is so fun XD props making is my favorite aspect of cosplay.^^
HH - do you like using grecco?
- grecco, yes, is so love, cheap and effective plus the pain theit causes when it comes in contact with the skin is electrifying heheheeheh masochist much? i have so much fun picking it off when it dries on my hand heheheeheh
7.) what is your dream cosplay?
- hahahahah is? it should be are! i have so many! uhmmmmmm sailormoon!!!! oMIAgad!!! XD lulu of final fantasy, yuuko ichihara of xxxholic and sheryl nome!!!!!
HH - LULU!!! YUUKOO!!! *spazzes* It seems you like long-haired characters, or is it just a coincidence? extra question: where do you get all that energy? you're always full of life! any secrets to being genki?
- in truth, i grew my hair cos i wanted to cosplay lulu and yuuko using my real hair XD coincidence maybe? XD you see i am NOT at all classy nor mysterious. that is why i would really like to cosplay those types of ladies. so for even a few glorious hours i'd be proud to say i was classy XD hahahahhha sleep and sweets and friends. when i am alone, or lack any of those three, i am the biggest grouch you would so regret meeting down the street XD
8.) who are your top 3 cosplay idols?
- top 3..... 1st is arisa mizuhara, so cute, her face always makes me smile thats why she i number 1 for me.
2nd is jesuke, no words, no words XD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3rd is jin joson coz she is so nice, no air of being a celebrity or what not.
9.) chocolate or chips?
- chocolate! no matter what form it is! and it has so many uses! plus u can dip chips in chocolate but you cant dip chocolate in chips XD
HH - good point! good point!
10.) have you cosplayed outside manila?
- yis! in singapore for afa x, with my lovely zhel. good times, good times *reminisces while scratching chin*
HH - *envy* XDDD
11.) who's your favorite character of all time?
- hmmmmmm.... luka megurine XD most prolly XD
12.) what's your favorite season?
- as long as it is not hot, it is my favorite XD
13.) Bishounen or Bishoku-ya?
- bishounen please^^ laaaaaaaa~ *troll face*
14.) Cosplay petpeeve?
- hmmmmmm XD another tough one XD why you doing this to me harima-kun?! *cries*
prolly, cosplaying just to say that you are cosplayer. i think almost all my pet peeves spawn from this. cosplaying with out knowing what it is, cosplaying coz you think it will propel you to super stardom, cosplaying coz you think it is the in thing, cosplaying a fashion etc. XD i have so many, but basically, not knowing what cosplaying is and judging it already and creating assumptions really piss me off. XD i'm so sorry, this is just what i think XD
HH - *salutes* I agree with this :D
15.) advice for newbies
- in cosplay, same as in everything you do in life, every thing needs effort and patience. keep working on improving yourself and never settle for the "pwede na yan" coz it limits your abilities. also, dont be afraid to ask questions AND look for answers. no matter how many times you ask, if you are asking a blank wall, it will never answer back. so dont just sit around and wait. act on it. ^^
16.) shoutouts
- i would like to greet my inay and sister minami!
inay me nag interview sakin, oh! waahahahahahahah minami, look! weeeeeeeeeeee and i'd like to glomp and give words of sincerest appreciation to my friends in and out of cosplay for all the support and the pang aasar, with out those annoyingly wonderful people, life would be one heck of a boring bag of cat poo XD
and hi to junjun hahahahaha ayiiiiiii
thanks so much to you as well, hario. i am so humbled by this, this interview made me think about some things hahahah
HH - it was an absolute pleasure~ :3 Thank you so much for this chance! woo hoo!! *trumpets*
17.) promotion of your site/store/anything
- i'd like to promote awareness on the environment, people please do your best to care for our earth. it is dying and we only have ourselves to blame. please do not make pa simple tapon of your trash or i'll seriously hit you behind the headdddddddd!!! grrrrrrr!!!! cliched but still the best and simplest way to help out the environment is to REDUCE, RE USE AND RECYCLE.
i has a blog on cosplay related stuff that i hope could help some people out and on everything under the jarouka sun
- http://jaroukaparade.blogspot.com/
da - http://jaroukasama.deviantart.com/
costume rental shop - megamija11.multiply.com
Ikumi - The Make-up Maestro and Props Afficionado
Photo by Ikumi (self-taken)
For this feature, I will be sharing an interview from another cosplayer hailing from the province of Davao. She's the third Davao resident that I've featured here, and as you can very well see, She's also quite the talent. I'd like to point out that, bishie may be, this person is a SHE (rhyming!). I kid you not. Good buddies with both AC Hernandez and Zhel Guiral, it's obvious that birds of a feather, really do flock together.
Make-up, stating the obvious, is really essential to a cosplayer. It helps you look more like the character you're portraying, and even help in making scars, or whatnots you can find in your character's physical appearance. Being one adept with the ways of the mirror and face applications, Ikumi is able to easily transform herself from one character to another. It doesn't end there, she's also capable of sewing and crafting her own props.
Though quite fairly new to the industry, one of her most noteable cosplays was her rendition of the ever-famous Cloud Strife, giant sword and stoic persona. It has been well-received and favored by people both here and abroad. Another would be her Lord Knight cosplay from the popular game, Ragnarok Online. What's really interesting about this cosplay is the story behind its completion. Do read on, friend. :D
---------------------------------------------------------
What's your name?
- Ces Ignacio, most of my friends call me Ces or sometimes Ikumi, my cosplay ID
Why Ikumi?
- I kind of used it as my screen name online. It caught on and became one of the many nicknames I have,
and I find it unique so I went with it up to present.
How long have you been cosplaying?
- I started year end of 2008, that was my first time going to an event. I had no idea
back then but thought it would be fun, so I tried it. ^.^
What made you dwell on cosplaying?
- It's really fun. I can't explain the feeling I get everytime I cosplay. Im an art geek and anime/gaming fan
so its a great outlet for creativity. Also, Ive met so many interesting people through cosplaying. It makes me feel happy~
Have you ever tried cosplaying in Manila or other parts of the Philippines?
- I haven't tried going to a con to Manila. I was able to go out of Davao recently though, to Gensan and attended the event there >u<.
Im hoping I can attend some cons in manila in the future--
I want to meet my friends who stay there and my cosplay idols. >3<. lol
HH - I'll be looking forward to that fateful day!
What's your favorite anime series of all time?
- o oooh. thats hard lol. I have so many favs, but if I'd have to pick it'd be Gensomaden Saiyuki.
I really liked how wide the character line up was. Knowing each of their backgrounds as the story progressed just swept me away.
The artwork was great too! The storyline for me was very interesting and having the mix of drama, comedy and the fight scenes was love.
Plus I just love the OP and END songs. (>.<\m/
Do you make your own costumes?
- o Not all of them, unfortunately I have yet to achieve the right level of skill in sewing XD. I do make some of the simpler details and most of my props.
My friends have helped me a lot in this too, tips and all. ^__^
HH - i envy your sewing skills... T_T and your lord knight was epic! just two days? kindly share some of the story~
IC - aww.. I definitely think others are way better and I still have so much to learn. Originally, the chest piece of the costume was made by Mr. AC long ago.
We just retouched it and finished the whole costume The lord knight was one of the projects of our props making team, Pahimo-bai.
Haha it was a lil crammed and sudden. But everyone worked hard and we were able to get it done. It was great working with everyone on the team.
how was the pressure of making a grand costume in such a short span of two days?
- It was hectic and crazy to boot! But definitely fun, haha we divided the tasks so everything turned out fine
did you encounter any particular difficulty in the costume?
- mmm..it was my first costume in full armor, so It was a bit weird moving about. I learned that it's actually pretty hard to move in it, thats why I fully respect those who wear mecha and armor types >.<...
I was't able to have any time for practice wearing it once so~ needs a bit of getting used to lol everything was on the spot in the event
HH - whoa, but you held on in a splendid fashion, and bagged a win, right? congratulations~~
IC - yes, thank you very much. I was really overjoyed and didn't expect to win twice in a row for this costume. It was amazing >~<
HH - oooh! twice? congratulations again! o/ banzai!! banzai!!
IC - yay! haha thank you very much ^__^
what's your favorite dessert?
- Im big fan of sweets. Ultimately, Im a sucker for Chocolate mousse. You can throw in ice cream and mango float too
HH - ooh, another sweet tooth! welcome, matey!
IC - ahahaha! hoooray >3<
western or eastern comics, which do you prefer reading?
- I usually read eastern comics and less of western. Although, both do have their own perks and are great but I'm just more of a manga reader.
any particular manga you're into right now?
- most recent is Zone-00. Also, planning to check out Claymore.
HH - ooh~ claymore is good. i recommend it~
Who are your Top 3 idols?
- My top 3 would be- 1. Jesuke 2. Jin Joson 3. Kaname
* Beyond this answer lies a myriad of squeals and screams and fandom. Ergo, It has been removed for our viewers' convenience XDD
do you have any advice for our newbies out there?
- Let's see, my advice would be just to keep on going! Just be yourself and just have fun with it.
Everything you'll learn and gain in the process are just bonuses and will just fall in if you try your best, so just keep on giving it your all and help inspire others to do the same~
any shoutouts to your friends, fans, and family?
- I can't put into words how grateful I am to everyone really,
Everything has just been great. I'd just like to say thank you very much for all
the support everyone has given to me- and to you~ for this opportunity!
To see more of her works:
http://cesuriju.deviantart.com/
If you need help with props and the like:http://www.facebook.com/Pahimo.bai
Gene Akizuki - The Man Behind The Mask... Rider
Photo by Happy Hario
So far, I've had 11 interviews and am hoping to talk to more people. I'm really hoping that what this page would somehow help in promoting the talents here in our motherland. It's about time the whole world found out how great we are at anything that we do and love. Cosplaying is still in its wee state but it's very obvious that the media's starting to buzz around a passion of many individuals. Let these people in this page guide you and your friends how it is to cosplay. It's not about popularity, and it most certainly isn't about profit. It's about having fun and showing your love for the characters you are portraying. It's difficult to express a character you know nothing about aside from the name. That, I believe is not cosplay, but just wearing a costume. At least have the time to learn about the characters you plan on cosplaying. Yes, I've put those words in bold to make a point.
This week, I'll be featuring someone who's been a veteran of over 6 years and counting. He has done a lot from cosplay to crossplay. He's recently entered the world of Cosplay Photography a year ago and is also a household name in the industry. Some of the many cosplays I really admire from his resume are Starkiller from the Star Wars franchise, Hannibal from the A-team and Kamen Rider Faiz, and am looking forward to his upcoming cosplay of Captain Harlock this Ozine! Let's give it up for the man, the cosplayer, the photographer, Gene Akizuki! yay! yay! yay!!
---------------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
Gene Caralde, but Im known in the community as Gene Akizuki.
HH - I've always wondered what your last name was! :D
how long have you cosplayed?
I started cosplaying back in late 2005. But I already attended cons as early as 2003.
HH - whoa~ long time!
what was your first costume? why?
My first costume is Kamen Rider Ichigo from Kamen Rider THE FIRST movie. I really love Kamen Rider and Ichigo's costume is easy enough for a noob cosplayer like me back then. The costume was completely handbuilt by me, with the help of Polidread of Filcosplay.
do you make your own costumes?
Yes, but sometimes I also have them commisioned.
HH - ditto!
what kind of satisfaction do you get from this hobby?
Fun. I love being in costume, I love to see the people's appreciation, and I love the spirit of friendship and camaraderie of cosplayers. I found the place where I truly belong.
HH - true that!
who do you look up to?
I have a lot of cosplay idols. My main inspiration when I was starting was Miss Alodia Gosiengfiao (Im proud to say that). Now I idolize legendary cosplayers such as Robert Wong, Polidread, Pablo Bairan, JM Chua and Jin Joson. I also have a deep respect and admiration to modern mecha cosplayers like DonRobert Torio and Guy Singzon. In term of international cosplayers, my idols include Hikaru-Jan, Jesuke Jess, Amin Rider and Usagi-chan, most of them are my online friends.
Hh - good names, my friend! :D
what do you dislike about cosplay?
Politics. Nuff said.
which character would you like to see in a convention?
I would really want to see characters from classic animes like Gatchaman, Yamato, Galaxy Express 999, and others.
HH - It'd be really neat a whole team of Gatchamen!
what's your favorite japanese animation? how about american?
Works by my favorite mangakas Go Nagai, Leiji Matsumoto and Oh!Great.
what's the difference for you between manga and western comics?
Western comics look more realistically human, but IMHO mangas have more heart and soul into them.
HH - hmmmm.... *nods in agreement*
what other hobbies do you have?
I love collecting action figures, and now because of cosplay I became interested in photography. In fact I am more of a photographer today rather than a cosplayer. I enjoy taking pictures more than actually getting my picture taken.
HH - it's pretty fun being behind the camera, aye? :D
what do you think about foreign cosplay?
They are good, but I think we can hold our own. We have lots of talented cosplayers here that are truly world-class. I have lots of cosplay friends from abroad, and frankly they have the same situation (and same drama) as our community here.
what object would you like to have right now?
A Learjet would be nice, LOL. I would really want to have 1,000 Sohryu Asuka Langley collectibles. I have 20, so I still need to collect 980 more, haha. Oh, and a Canon EOS 5D Mark II would be nice too....
HH - Learjet!! woo woo!!
threads or rubber sheets?
Rubber and grecobishie or gar?GAR!!!! Or bishojo...
shoutouts to your friends, family, and loved onesI would like to take this opportunity to thank Hario for this interview. I am deeply honored and humbled. Also I would like to greet the Mugen Shinten (MuShin) cosplayers, and my cosplay friends, you guys know who you are.
HH - It was my pleasure! :)
sites for promotion
Add me up on FB, just search for Gene Akizuki, and you can view my photography on my deviantart, http://geneakizuki.deviantart.com/
GCP - The One who is Infested
Photo by Kira Hokuten
My feature this time around is another photographer. Popularly known as the "infested one", he has been making a lot of cosplayers, including myself, happy with his share of photos. He's a 5-year veteran in photography and a very easy person to get along with. Giann Potente or GCP, has worked with hundreds of cosplayers (I'm pretty sure it's around that much) and still continues to amaze me with his stunning images and enthralling technique.
The first time I came across this artistic mind was back in 2009, when I re-entered the world of cosplay for the 3rd time. (I've been in hiatus twice, each with years apart XDD) I was cosplaying Jeff Hardy that time when I met him. I saw his work in multiply and was thoroughly impressed with the pictures he took. I've been following his work from then on.
There are three easy steps to unlock the mystery behind this man with an enveloped visage (as seen in the photo)
1.) read this entry
2.) check out his sites
3.) talk to him when you see him in cons
pretty easy, right? XDD
-------------------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- Giann Carlo Potente. You can call me GCP since I have lots of people who have the same name as mine. =)
HH - Your nickname reminds me of George "Rush" St. Pierre!!!
why did you try cosplay photography?
- Umm... It was an accident actually. I never knew that one of my main subjects in shooting photos are Cosplayers. I'm enjoying it, but of course, I also want to explore more not only in cosplay but in other fields like landscapes, events etc.
HH - of course, to broaden horizons! :)
how long have you been shooting?
- I'm shooting for almost five years. 2 years of training grounds and 3 years of seriousness... LOL.
HH - whoa~~ 5 years is long!
what equipment do you use?
- Canon 20D, Canon 430EX, kit and 50mm prime lens. We also have a studio in Cavite in which some people in the cosplay community have visited already.
HH - Aaah!! Canon!! ENEMY!!! kidding~
what kind of style do you incorporate in your shots?
- I don't have any particular style. It varies from photoshoots or it depends on the theme of the shoot.
HH - ooh~ good point. One can't really stick to just one particular style
would you like to try cosplaying? if so, which character would you love to cosplay?
- It once strucked my mind. But I already threw it. Hehehe... But if I am, I want to cosplay Wild Dog of Time Crisis series. =)
HH - Wild Dog? The dude with a machine gun arm? I honestly didn't expect this character!
ambient or artificial?
- Both. It's a matter of playing with it. =)
what was the most difficult shoot you've had? (cosplay or non-cosplay related)
- Hmmmm... A lot actually. One was shooting 15 models and I'm the only photographer. Another was people ar watching and I can't concentrate that much. But most of the time, I'm having difficulties in shooting events in which I would like to master it.
HH - 15 MODELS?!?!!? PHYSICALLY TAXING!!! *bows down to you* I'm amazed at how you were able to survive that
Would you say cosplaying is an art form?
- Yes.
do you participate in photocontests?
- Ummm... Not really. Only once during the Cosmania Photo Contest and I can't believe that I was one of the Top 20!
HH - woo hoo!! congratulations! your entry was awesome!
Once my friend said that you have to really think hard when joining a contest
yung sali ka ng sali kahit di ka magaling pero kada sali mo nag iimprove ka o yung magpapraktis ka muna tapos pag magaling ka na saka ka sasali?
would you rather keep on joining eventhough you're not good but the process makes you improve or practice a lot until you're confident with your skills before joining?
^which makes sense to me. =)
HH - a good question to ponder on
what's your dream related to photography?
- To have a photoshoot with Kim Chiu. After that, I can either retire or die a happy man =)
matte or glossy prints? why?
- Glossy prints. I dunno why. I just find them pleasing to the eyes when in-print. Hehehehe...
sources of inspiration for photography?
- A lot. Out of nowhere ideas, inspiration from other photogs like Hexlord, Shiro Ang, my brother (who is a photographer too!) basta marami. There's one more but I'll keep that person a secret because people might follow suit.
HH - now I'm really interested with the photographer shrouded in mystery! *scratches chin*
shoutouts to fans, family, and friends?
- Family. Nothing much, I love them even though they sometimes can't understand my quirks.
- Friends. Keep Rockin'
- Fans. Do I even have any? =))
tips or advice for would-be and novice photographers?
- Keep shooting. There's no better learning than experiencing it in hand. You may have all the knowledge in the world, but if not put into practice, then it's just the same as not knowing anything. It's a matter of "Experiential Learning".
any sites you want to promote?
- my Facebook: facebook.com/giannpotente
- Multiply: infestedone.multiply.com
- DA (though it's just filled with cobwebs, there'll be upcoming photos for it very soon): crossfireblitz.deviantart.com
The first time I came across this artistic mind was back in 2009, when I re-entered the world of cosplay for the 3rd time. (I've been in hiatus twice, each with years apart XDD) I was cosplaying Jeff Hardy that time when I met him. I saw his work in multiply and was thoroughly impressed with the pictures he took. I've been following his work from then on.
There are three easy steps to unlock the mystery behind this man with an enveloped visage (as seen in the photo)
1.) read this entry
2.) check out his sites
3.) talk to him when you see him in cons
pretty easy, right? XDD
-------------------------------------------------------------
what's your name?
- Giann Carlo Potente. You can call me GCP since I have lots of people who have the same name as mine. =)
HH - Your nickname reminds me of George "Rush" St. Pierre!!!
why did you try cosplay photography?
- Umm... It was an accident actually. I never knew that one of my main subjects in shooting photos are Cosplayers. I'm enjoying it, but of course, I also want to explore more not only in cosplay but in other fields like landscapes, events etc.
HH - of course, to broaden horizons! :)
how long have you been shooting?
- I'm shooting for almost five years. 2 years of training grounds and 3 years of seriousness... LOL.
HH - whoa~~ 5 years is long!
what equipment do you use?
- Canon 20D, Canon 430EX, kit and 50mm prime lens. We also have a studio in Cavite in which some people in the cosplay community have visited already.
HH - Aaah!! Canon!! ENEMY!!! kidding~
what kind of style do you incorporate in your shots?
- I don't have any particular style. It varies from photoshoots or it depends on the theme of the shoot.
HH - ooh~ good point. One can't really stick to just one particular style
would you like to try cosplaying? if so, which character would you love to cosplay?
- It once strucked my mind. But I already threw it. Hehehe... But if I am, I want to cosplay Wild Dog of Time Crisis series. =)
HH - Wild Dog? The dude with a machine gun arm? I honestly didn't expect this character!
ambient or artificial?
- Both. It's a matter of playing with it. =)
what was the most difficult shoot you've had? (cosplay or non-cosplay related)
- Hmmmm... A lot actually. One was shooting 15 models and I'm the only photographer. Another was people ar watching and I can't concentrate that much. But most of the time, I'm having difficulties in shooting events in which I would like to master it.
HH - 15 MODELS?!?!!? PHYSICALLY TAXING!!! *bows down to you* I'm amazed at how you were able to survive that
Would you say cosplaying is an art form?
- Yes.
do you participate in photocontests?
- Ummm... Not really. Only once during the Cosmania Photo Contest and I can't believe that I was one of the Top 20!
HH - woo hoo!! congratulations! your entry was awesome!
Once my friend said that you have to really think hard when joining a contest
yung sali ka ng sali kahit di ka magaling pero kada sali mo nag iimprove ka o yung magpapraktis ka muna tapos pag magaling ka na saka ka sasali?
would you rather keep on joining eventhough you're not good but the process makes you improve or practice a lot until you're confident with your skills before joining?
^which makes sense to me. =)
HH - a good question to ponder on
what's your dream related to photography?
- To have a photoshoot with Kim Chiu. After that, I can either retire or die a happy man =)
matte or glossy prints? why?
- Glossy prints. I dunno why. I just find them pleasing to the eyes when in-print. Hehehehe...
sources of inspiration for photography?
- A lot. Out of nowhere ideas, inspiration from other photogs like Hexlord, Shiro Ang, my brother (who is a photographer too!) basta marami. There's one more but I'll keep that person a secret because people might follow suit.
HH - now I'm really interested with the photographer shrouded in mystery! *scratches chin*
shoutouts to fans, family, and friends?
- Family. Nothing much, I love them even though they sometimes can't understand my quirks.
- Friends. Keep Rockin'
- Fans. Do I even have any? =))
tips or advice for would-be and novice photographers?
- Keep shooting. There's no better learning than experiencing it in hand. You may have all the knowledge in the world, but if not put into practice, then it's just the same as not knowing anything. It's a matter of "Experiential Learning".
any sites you want to promote?
- my Facebook: facebook.com/giannpotente
- Multiply: infestedone.multiply.com
- DA (though it's just filled with cobwebs, there'll be upcoming photos for it very soon): crossfireblitz.deviantart.com
Z3LL - The man behind the lens
Photo by G
I’ve been featuring amazing cosplayers all this
time. Each one was stellar and I’d tip my hat to every one of them. But this
time, I won’t be featuring a cosplayer, but a cosplay photographer. Why, you
ask? It’s pretty simple. It’s because They too, deserve to be given their due
recognition and this is the best way I can show my respect to them I could
think of. I will now face the spotlight to cosplay photographers as well! No, I’m
not turning my back on the cos-ers. Rather, I’m just making this project
broader. Yahoo!! DIG IT! DIG IT! DIIIIIG IIIIIIT!!!!!! *rolls on the floor*
nyarharhar!!
For this feature, I was graced by a person who’s considered to be one of the most popular cosplay photographers here in the Philippines. He’s a High-Key photographer with a knack for bringing the characters we know and love come to life with his way of capturing stills. He’s definitely someone people can look up to in terms of photography. He’s never selfish when sharing his techniques to anyone who’s curious and willing to learn. He and his works have been featured and won a number of contests but remains to be humble despite his success.
The person I’m talking about is none other than Z3LL! BANG! BANG!! KAPOW!! KAPOW!! ZING!! ZING!!! ZING!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.) what's your name?
z3LL (pronounced as Zell)
HH - i've been curious all this time... what's reason behind the name, Zell? rather, what's the story? i'm sure other people are curious too!
Z3 – I’ve been using the nickname z3LL since highschool.. it was my counter strike name at that time LOL. Me and my highschool friends are FF8 fans.. some of them even used Squall, Irvine, etc haha besides, and Jonathan is too long and too common hahaha
2.) how long have you been cosphotographing?
Started attending cons in July 2007 (Mangaholix 2007). By that time, I was using my camera phone to take photos. A year later, I got myself a DSLR, Mangaholix 2008 was my first convention using a DSLR.
3.) what made you decide to go into it?
I like taking photos using my phone camera and digicam back then. My friends influenced me to buy a DSLR and I was lucky to bought one that time for a reasonable price.
4.) do you have any inspirations?
Ofcourse! Lots of em.. most of them from the deviantArt community like Hexlord, Shiroang, Shiroin, Hellsign, Hybridre, and more (too many to mention).
5.) what's your most memorable shoot?
Rizal Highschool shoot last Jan 2010, hey i think u were there too XD
I helped in organizing that shoot, invited most of my friends
HH – oh yes, I was! XDD that was a blast!
6.) who are your favorite cosplayers int'l and local
Jin Joson, Dukesa, Ayi Cuencia, Tin Reflejo, Anne Riel Athienza, Lyron Aquino, Bram, Macky Martinez, Nikki Gevana, Yuu Shomura Kaika, Reiko, Cvy
I admire them for their dedication and love for the hobby ^^ you can certainly see them work hard to create props as accurate as possible, being in character, especially during photoshoots while sharing their knowledge
7.) what have you learned throughout the years behind the lens?
Practice helps a lot! Don't judge browse the net, learn to read EXIFs, it helps a lot! SRSLY!
8.) what's your dream shoot?
A complete vocaloid cosplay PV.
More Naruto action shots.
9.) what makes photography fun for you?
Continuous learning, exploring new locations, meeting new people, capturing moments.
10.) what makes cosplay photography different from other genres for you?
Cosplay photography is very diverse, depending on the character being portrayed. It can be full of action, spontaneous and wild, sometimes it's dark and mysterious and sometimes it's bright and fresh. I think it is more challenging because you have to help bring the character to life, choose a location that suits the character, capture their best angle, and of course tell a story using your photo.
11.) do you have any advice to budding cosplay photographers?
Practice helps a lot. Don't be afraid to experiment ^^ Know your camera and maximize it first before upgrading. study the theme/series and look for the best location if possible.
12.) if you were to choose any character to shoot right now, who would it be and why?
a full gintama group! hehehe I've been watching gintama these past few days and the series is really fun to watch ^^ You guys should watch it too!
13.) do you have any shoutouts to your friends, fans, and loved ones?
Many thanks for the feature! More power to you and your blog!
Never stop learningggggg!
view more of his masterpieces by checking out these sites!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Z3LL-photography/162430720443161
http://z3LLphotography.blogspot.com
http://z3LLLL.deviantart.com
For this feature, I was graced by a person who’s considered to be one of the most popular cosplay photographers here in the Philippines. He’s a High-Key photographer with a knack for bringing the characters we know and love come to life with his way of capturing stills. He’s definitely someone people can look up to in terms of photography. He’s never selfish when sharing his techniques to anyone who’s curious and willing to learn. He and his works have been featured and won a number of contests but remains to be humble despite his success.
The person I’m talking about is none other than Z3LL! BANG! BANG!! KAPOW!! KAPOW!! ZING!! ZING!!! ZING!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.) what's your name?
z3LL (pronounced as Zell)
HH - i've been curious all this time... what's reason behind the name, Zell? rather, what's the story? i'm sure other people are curious too!
Z3 – I’ve been using the nickname z3LL since highschool.. it was my counter strike name at that time LOL. Me and my highschool friends are FF8 fans.. some of them even used Squall, Irvine, etc haha besides, and Jonathan is too long and too common hahaha
2.) how long have you been cosphotographing?
Started attending cons in July 2007 (Mangaholix 2007). By that time, I was using my camera phone to take photos. A year later, I got myself a DSLR, Mangaholix 2008 was my first convention using a DSLR.
3.) what made you decide to go into it?
I like taking photos using my phone camera and digicam back then. My friends influenced me to buy a DSLR and I was lucky to bought one that time for a reasonable price.
4.) do you have any inspirations?
Ofcourse! Lots of em.. most of them from the deviantArt community like Hexlord, Shiroang, Shiroin, Hellsign, Hybridre, and more (too many to mention).
5.) what's your most memorable shoot?
Rizal Highschool shoot last Jan 2010, hey i think u were there too XD
I helped in organizing that shoot, invited most of my friends
HH – oh yes, I was! XDD that was a blast!
6.) who are your favorite cosplayers int'l and local
Jin Joson, Dukesa, Ayi Cuencia, Tin Reflejo, Anne Riel Athienza, Lyron Aquino, Bram, Macky Martinez, Nikki Gevana, Yuu Shomura Kaika, Reiko, Cvy
I admire them for their dedication and love for the hobby ^^ you can certainly see them work hard to create props as accurate as possible, being in character, especially during photoshoots while sharing their knowledge
7.) what have you learned throughout the years behind the lens?
Practice helps a lot! Don't judge browse the net, learn to read EXIFs, it helps a lot! SRSLY!
8.) what's your dream shoot?
A complete vocaloid cosplay PV.
More Naruto action shots.
9.) what makes photography fun for you?
Continuous learning, exploring new locations, meeting new people, capturing moments.
10.) what makes cosplay photography different from other genres for you?
Cosplay photography is very diverse, depending on the character being portrayed. It can be full of action, spontaneous and wild, sometimes it's dark and mysterious and sometimes it's bright and fresh. I think it is more challenging because you have to help bring the character to life, choose a location that suits the character, capture their best angle, and of course tell a story using your photo.
11.) do you have any advice to budding cosplay photographers?
Practice helps a lot. Don't be afraid to experiment ^^ Know your camera and maximize it first before upgrading. study the theme/series and look for the best location if possible.
12.) if you were to choose any character to shoot right now, who would it be and why?
a full gintama group! hehehe I've been watching gintama these past few days and the series is really fun to watch ^^ You guys should watch it too!
13.) do you have any shoutouts to your friends, fans, and loved ones?
Many thanks for the feature! More power to you and your blog!
Never stop learningggggg!
view more of his masterpieces by checking out these sites!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Z3LL-photography/162430720443161
http://z3LLphotography.blogspot.com
http://z3LLLL.deviantart.com
Zhel - Crossing Borders
Photo by Dennis "Shoti" Li
I promised
before that I would bring out a feature once a week. Unfortunately, I haven’t
been keeping my word. I’m very sorry for that! m(_ _)m Stating any reason would just be an
excuse, so I’d be better off holding my tongue. But I do hope you, dear reader,
would forgive me after sharing this featured cosplayer for today/this week/this
month. *inserts rocky theme* She hails from Davao, has a total of 17 cosplays
under her belt, and is still going strong! One visit from her DA account and
you’ll be an instant admirer. The Charming, the talented, the humble, the
kind-hearted, the hardworking, the admirable, Ms. Zhel Guiral!! *inserts
fireworks here* HOORAY!! HOORAY!! HOORAY!!!
With all honesty, I became an instant admirer after seeing her DA account. You can and will see high-level cosplays from her, even though she believes her work are only mediocre. She is a very well-grounded person, and has a bubbly personality. I’ve not had the honor of talking to her personally, but I’m happy enough as it is to have been given the opportunity to have this little session with her. I’m hoping and praying that in the future, I could have the chance to have a cosplay shoot, let alone take pictures in a later convention. I’m very thankful to our common friend who would rather be anonymous for suggesting that I push through with interviewing such an existing talent because as you know, I’m a shy person. ( I speaketh the truth and yes, this feature has been delayed yet again because of me ///OTL) Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------
HH - hi! good evening! thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to have this little interview
Z - and thank you as well for giving me this opportunity
HH - it's an honor for me
Z - wow likewise here.
HH - i was browsing through your DA one time thanks to a common friend of ours, and i'd have to say, i was blown away!
Z - wow thanks i mean well for me it's kinda mediocre though
considering the high end cosplay internationally
i guess i just want to learn more~ but still thanks
i owe it to my photographers ^^
HH - well, both sides did their parts very well ^_^
Z - okies!
HH - ok! let's do this! kindly tell us your name or nickname
Z - My name is Zhel Guiral~ ^^ or just plainly Zhel..I prefer that~ XD
HH - a pleasure to meet you, Zhel! errr... online that is XP
Z - hahaha pleasure to meet you too hario ^3^
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
Z - well, I’ve started cosplaying back in 2006 but stopped a month later due to my busy schedule in school. I came back into cosplaying last 2008 and I still do it until now.
HH - ooh~ 4 years, and how has it been for you?
Z - it's been doing great~ ^3^/
HH - what has been your most memorable cosplaying experience?
Z - hmmmmm,... a lot actually!~ I mean each cosplay that I have gives me a new experience and each cosplay experience that I have is unique. It may be in the same annual cosplay event but each experience is different.
HH - ah! you have a good point there!
HH - how many cosplays have you done? do name a few
Z - hmmm, from 2006-2010. 17 cosplays and the rest are original characters. The 17 cosplays i did were:
a. Kagura Sohma (Fruits Basket)
b. Rin Sohma (Fruits Basket)
c. Millay Ashford (Code Geass)
d. Nanao Ise (Bleach)
e. Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji)
f. Sheryl Nome (Macross Frontier)
g. Kanda Yu (D-Gray man)
h. Lili Rochefort (Tekken)
i. Gakupo Sandplay and Magnet Version (Vocaloid)
j. Lisa Yadomaru (Bleach)
k. Nana Osaki (Nana)
l. Tender Shall (Dream of Dolls)
m. Noctis Caelum (Final Fantasy 13 Versus)
n. Raimi Aikawa (Dolls –Naked ape-)
o. Madam Red (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji)
p. Takuma Ichijou (Vampire Knight)
q. Yuki Cross (Vampire Knight)
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/164181_1531020790874_1095382799_31124268_757692_n.jpg <=== if you want a pic..here it is ^^
HH - among your cosplays, do you have a particular favorite? why?
Z - again. a lot!~ but recently, I like the noctis cosplay that I did because I love the character so much plus I did a lot of effort patching up with my costume and doing crossplay make-up experiments. My friend, Kevin Alfoja also did a great job materializing the weapon that I truly adore!
HH - oh, your noctis cosplay was quite the notable one! it had that tough-guy-aura. splendid work on that
Z - yay!! thanks~ I'm glad you appreciated our efforts somehow~ ^__^. It truly makes it worthwhile. ^^
Oh I give tons of thanks to my best friend and photographer "Dennis Li". He took great shots of that cosplay of mine during our impromptu shoots. Hugs to him also~ X3 heheh
HH - do you have a character you've been dreaming of cosplaying?
Z - characterssssssss..emphasis with the "S". I have t admit I have tons of characters that I would LOVE to cosplay but for now, I'm particularly dreaming for a Bubble Gum Crisis Sylvia or Priss cosplay.
It may be old school but they were one of my loved characters back in childhood,
HH - oooh! the armored version?
Z - yeap~ armored and the casual one~ I would love to do it on the same day~ ^^
HH - man! that would be epic! I hope I get the chance to take photos when that day comes! ooohohohoho~
Z - I really hope you can too. I'm even hoping I can do that cosplay too if possible. XD We'll take tons of pictures~ X3
HH - YEAH!!! *writes down in to-do list*
Z - hahahaha...me too! *marking more colorful highlights to that cosplay* hahaha
HH - in your 4 years of cosplaying, how do you see the local industry's progression right now?
Z - Well, I can't really tell because I can't seem to be fully updated with the cosplay all over Philippines right now. I do cosplay in other places in the Philippines but I've only attended one or two events. I do notice that cosplay in the Philippines isn't concentrated in Manila/Luzon anymore just like it was before. It's spreading throughout the Phil. right now. Places like Cebu, Ilo-ilo, Butuan, CDO, Gensan and my hometown Davao. Now, this is what I would truly call Philippine Cosplay. It doesn't stop us from sharing this art and hobby to people from other parts of the Phil. even though we are separated into thousands of islands.
HH - oh, so true! there are lots of great cosplayers all around the phils! I hope it reaches other parts as well!
Z - I do hope there will be a train to go to different islands in the Philippines but I guess that would be impossible considering the number of islands that we have. Oh well, I guess i just have to do with the airplane...Adieu my moolah~ XD I kid I kid... hahaha
HH – XDDD
HH - How's Davao's cosplay right now?
Z - It's doing pretty well. I have to admit that our number of cosplayers isn’t topping up like that in Manila but cosplay here is somehow improving year by year. Plus the people (the non-cosplay oriented) here are getting recognition with the culture of cosplay unlike before where they have no clue what cosplay is.
HH - ah! that be a good sign! now, this is making me want to go to a future con in Davao!
Z - GO HERE NOW!!!! Taste our beloved Durian!! ahhaha Just kidding!
HH - XDD now, if only i had the dough XDD *checks pockets* nope! not in here! ///OTL
Z - I know how that feels. ahahah XD .. there there~
HH - T^T ahem! *recomposes self* next question! who are your cosplay idols! name a few~ local or international
Z - http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/17180_1209563954654_1095382799_30472338_3425740_n.jpg <===just one of the few idols that I have additional to the Philippine cosplay idols would be my friend Ping-ping Ong = for inspiring me to do and learn more with this hobby back when cosplay was still not rampant here in Davao.
HH - ooh! what makes these people stand from the rest of the crew?
Z - I feel like every time I look at their cosplays I learn a lot of things and I try out or experiment stuffs 'coz of this motivation that I get from them. I still have lots of idols here in my list but I might give the readers more eye strain. hahaha XD
HH - how would you like to remembered as a cosplayer?
Z - To put it simply, I would just like be remembered as someone who has motivated and shared this love and passion of mine not only to the cosplay community but to the audience (enthusiasts or non-enthusiast) as well,
HH - what advice would you give to our newbies and to those planning on entering this hobby?
Z - Learn the real nature or culture of cosplaying. Learn the character/s well and portray him/her with heart but most importantly don't forget to have FUN most especially when you're with your wonderful friends/companions. Inspire and share your love for your hobby without shame. Always thank those who have helped you out with your cosplays and with your everyday life most especially The BIG GUY up there in Heaven, your loved ones,family, friends and supporters. Just put into heart and passion the things that you truly love to do and everything will be ok~
HH - any shoutouts to your friends, fans, family, and loved ones?
Z - Hello guys!!! well, Hope your doing well!! I'm hoping to see you guys again in my next cosplays~ Take care always and don't be shy to be yourself ( in a good way~)!!! * Big hugs to all of you guys!!* Nyaaao!
To see more of her work, do check out her sites
http://darkdiety.deviantart.com/ , http://www.facebook.com/4DLteam
You can also visit her shop
http://www.facebook.com/shuffleshop
With all honesty, I became an instant admirer after seeing her DA account. You can and will see high-level cosplays from her, even though she believes her work are only mediocre. She is a very well-grounded person, and has a bubbly personality. I’ve not had the honor of talking to her personally, but I’m happy enough as it is to have been given the opportunity to have this little session with her. I’m hoping and praying that in the future, I could have the chance to have a cosplay shoot, let alone take pictures in a later convention. I’m very thankful to our common friend who would rather be anonymous for suggesting that I push through with interviewing such an existing talent because as you know, I’m a shy person. ( I speaketh the truth and yes, this feature has been delayed yet again because of me ///OTL) Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------
HH - hi! good evening! thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to have this little interview
Z - and thank you as well for giving me this opportunity
HH - it's an honor for me
Z - wow likewise here.
HH - i was browsing through your DA one time thanks to a common friend of ours, and i'd have to say, i was blown away!
Z - wow thanks i mean well for me it's kinda mediocre though
considering the high end cosplay internationally
i guess i just want to learn more~ but still thanks
i owe it to my photographers ^^
HH - well, both sides did their parts very well ^_^
Z - okies!
HH - ok! let's do this! kindly tell us your name or nickname
Z - My name is Zhel Guiral~ ^^ or just plainly Zhel..I prefer that~ XD
HH - a pleasure to meet you, Zhel! errr... online that is XP
Z - hahaha pleasure to meet you too hario ^3^
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
Z - well, I’ve started cosplaying back in 2006 but stopped a month later due to my busy schedule in school. I came back into cosplaying last 2008 and I still do it until now.
HH - ooh~ 4 years, and how has it been for you?
Z - it's been doing great~ ^3^/
HH - what has been your most memorable cosplaying experience?
Z - hmmmmm,... a lot actually!~ I mean each cosplay that I have gives me a new experience and each cosplay experience that I have is unique. It may be in the same annual cosplay event but each experience is different.
HH - ah! you have a good point there!
HH - how many cosplays have you done? do name a few
Z - hmmm, from 2006-2010. 17 cosplays and the rest are original characters. The 17 cosplays i did were:
a. Kagura Sohma (Fruits Basket)
b. Rin Sohma (Fruits Basket)
c. Millay Ashford (Code Geass)
d. Nanao Ise (Bleach)
e. Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji)
f. Sheryl Nome (Macross Frontier)
g. Kanda Yu (D-Gray man)
h. Lili Rochefort (Tekken)
i. Gakupo Sandplay and Magnet Version (Vocaloid)
j. Lisa Yadomaru (Bleach)
k. Nana Osaki (Nana)
l. Tender Shall (Dream of Dolls)
m. Noctis Caelum (Final Fantasy 13 Versus)
n. Raimi Aikawa (Dolls –Naked ape-)
o. Madam Red (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji)
p. Takuma Ichijou (Vampire Knight)
q. Yuki Cross (Vampire Knight)
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/164181_1531020790874_1095382799_31124268_757692_n.jpg <=== if you want a pic..here it is ^^
HH - among your cosplays, do you have a particular favorite? why?
Z - again. a lot!~ but recently, I like the noctis cosplay that I did because I love the character so much plus I did a lot of effort patching up with my costume and doing crossplay make-up experiments. My friend, Kevin Alfoja also did a great job materializing the weapon that I truly adore!
HH - oh, your noctis cosplay was quite the notable one! it had that tough-guy-aura. splendid work on that
Z - yay!! thanks~ I'm glad you appreciated our efforts somehow~ ^__^. It truly makes it worthwhile. ^^
Oh I give tons of thanks to my best friend and photographer "Dennis Li". He took great shots of that cosplay of mine during our impromptu shoots. Hugs to him also~ X3 heheh
HH - do you have a character you've been dreaming of cosplaying?
Z - characterssssssss..emphasis with the "S". I have t admit I have tons of characters that I would LOVE to cosplay but for now, I'm particularly dreaming for a Bubble Gum Crisis Sylvia or Priss cosplay.
It may be old school but they were one of my loved characters back in childhood,
HH - oooh! the armored version?
Z - yeap~ armored and the casual one~ I would love to do it on the same day~ ^^
HH - man! that would be epic! I hope I get the chance to take photos when that day comes! ooohohohoho~
Z - I really hope you can too. I'm even hoping I can do that cosplay too if possible. XD We'll take tons of pictures~ X3
HH - YEAH!!! *writes down in to-do list*
Z - hahahaha...me too! *marking more colorful highlights to that cosplay* hahaha
HH - in your 4 years of cosplaying, how do you see the local industry's progression right now?
Z - Well, I can't really tell because I can't seem to be fully updated with the cosplay all over Philippines right now. I do cosplay in other places in the Philippines but I've only attended one or two events. I do notice that cosplay in the Philippines isn't concentrated in Manila/Luzon anymore just like it was before. It's spreading throughout the Phil. right now. Places like Cebu, Ilo-ilo, Butuan, CDO, Gensan and my hometown Davao. Now, this is what I would truly call Philippine Cosplay. It doesn't stop us from sharing this art and hobby to people from other parts of the Phil. even though we are separated into thousands of islands.
HH - oh, so true! there are lots of great cosplayers all around the phils! I hope it reaches other parts as well!
Z - I do hope there will be a train to go to different islands in the Philippines but I guess that would be impossible considering the number of islands that we have. Oh well, I guess i just have to do with the airplane...Adieu my moolah~ XD I kid I kid... hahaha
HH – XDDD
HH - How's Davao's cosplay right now?
Z - It's doing pretty well. I have to admit that our number of cosplayers isn’t topping up like that in Manila but cosplay here is somehow improving year by year. Plus the people (the non-cosplay oriented) here are getting recognition with the culture of cosplay unlike before where they have no clue what cosplay is.
HH - ah! that be a good sign! now, this is making me want to go to a future con in Davao!
Z - GO HERE NOW!!!! Taste our beloved Durian!! ahhaha Just kidding!
HH - XDD now, if only i had the dough XDD *checks pockets* nope! not in here! ///OTL
Z - I know how that feels. ahahah XD .. there there~
HH - T^T ahem! *recomposes self* next question! who are your cosplay idols! name a few~ local or international
Z - http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/17180_1209563954654_1095382799_30472338_3425740_n.jpg <===just one of the few idols that I have additional to the Philippine cosplay idols would be my friend Ping-ping Ong = for inspiring me to do and learn more with this hobby back when cosplay was still not rampant here in Davao.
HH - ooh! what makes these people stand from the rest of the crew?
Z - I feel like every time I look at their cosplays I learn a lot of things and I try out or experiment stuffs 'coz of this motivation that I get from them. I still have lots of idols here in my list but I might give the readers more eye strain. hahaha XD
HH - how would you like to remembered as a cosplayer?
Z - To put it simply, I would just like be remembered as someone who has motivated and shared this love and passion of mine not only to the cosplay community but to the audience (enthusiasts or non-enthusiast) as well,
HH - what advice would you give to our newbies and to those planning on entering this hobby?
Z - Learn the real nature or culture of cosplaying. Learn the character/s well and portray him/her with heart but most importantly don't forget to have FUN most especially when you're with your wonderful friends/companions. Inspire and share your love for your hobby without shame. Always thank those who have helped you out with your cosplays and with your everyday life most especially The BIG GUY up there in Heaven, your loved ones,family, friends and supporters. Just put into heart and passion the things that you truly love to do and everything will be ok~
HH - any shoutouts to your friends, fans, family, and loved ones?
Z - Hello guys!!! well, Hope your doing well!! I'm hoping to see you guys again in my next cosplays~ Take care always and don't be shy to be yourself ( in a good way~)!!! * Big hugs to all of you guys!!* Nyaaao!
To see more of her work, do check out her sites
http://darkdiety.deviantart.com/ , http://www.facebook.com/4DLteam
You can also visit her shop
http://www.facebook.com/shuffleshop
AC - A Passion-Driven Champion
Photo by James Oliva
Whoa! Long time
no see, friend! I believe it’s been almost a month since I added a cosplay
feature. If you’ve been waiting for eons, then apologies are in order. Everyone’s
busy with their lives, and I am of no exception. I’ve been doing this and that
while handling these and those. Let’s just say I’ve had my hands full :D Moving on~~~
Today’s cosplayer is no stranger to the industry. He’s a great costume maker, an expert prop-crafter, and someone who knows how a cosplay should be done. He’s won numerous awards, one of which is the coveted title “champion of champions” in the recent Cosplaymania’s TorCH competition held at the SMX convention center in October of 2010. The man who doppelganged the Joker of the late and great Heath Ledger, is none other than, AC Hernandez!
4 years in cosplaying, his craft is definitely something aspiring cosplayers should take note of. The blood, sweat and tears he puts are evident in the quality of each of his masterpieces. Though he can be considered as one of the top guns in local cosplay, it doesn’t let it get to him, and is still someone you can walk up to and exchange words, a real friendly chap.
I hope you guys have as much fun reading as I’ve had interviewing this talented individual. Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------------
HH - thanks for sharing a bit of your time
AC - no probs
HH - what's your name?
AC - i'm AC Hernandez
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
AC - i've been cosplaying for about 4 years now ( well going 4 years
this coming March ), My first event was the 1st Philippine Cosplay Convention,i
cosplayed Jiraiya from Naruto that day
HH - 4 years? wow~ you sure have come a long way in your cosplay
career!
AC - well i just got back from haitus, i stopped for about a year,
actually I just got back from the cosplay scene
HH - ah, i see~ do you mind telling why? hiatus, i mean
AC – I stopped because I had to go back to my home, i started
cosplaying during my vacation in manila. I was having so much fun that I extended my vacation for a year until it reached the point that i really had to go back home
HH - where are you residing, exactly?
AC - i'm currently residing at Butuan City in the province of Agusan
del Norte... its somewhere in central Mindanao around 8 hours bus ride from Davao City
HH - wow~ i heard the cosplayers there are epic!
HH - what makes cosplaying a worthwhile hobby for you?
AC -The awesome people you meet in the hobby makes it really
worthwhile. It's not that often you get a chance to meet such amazing people.I
also learned alot from the hobby specially in the field of arts.
HH - We've been witness to a lot of your amazing cosplays, but
which one holds a special place in your heart?
AC - it would be the War Machine Cosplay we made for 2nd PCC. it means
alot to me because it was a collaboration work between me and my dear friend
Bram, we did alot of stuffs together but that costume really gave us a hard time
and alot of things happen when we made that costume, we passed a lot of trials
just to make it to the event >.<
HH - ah, that was an amazing cosplay, i'd have to say
AC - thank you
HH - you also make prosthetics, right?
AC - somewhat... its kinda hard to look for prosthetics materials here
in our country so i do it out of household items >.< some of which i'm not sure
if its safe to use. much of it is improvisation
HH - you're the first person i know that can make prosthetics!
where did you learn how to make them?
AC - the net, youtube... most of the tutorials i found online mentions
alot of materials that can't be found here so i had to look up for its basic
components and find a suitable substitute for the material
HH - that's dedication! *thumbs up*
AC - nyaha
HH - are there any cosplayers you look up to either locally or
internationally?
AC - yes there are, a lot of them actually locally i look up to Guy
Singzon,Mark Cerezo, Polidread, Pablo Bairan,Robert Wong and the Tuxedo Team...
i learned alot from them.i got everything i know about our hobby from these
guys. internationally, clive lee, goldy-japan, saber-france, orochi x-indonesia, their
works are awesome
HH - they're all crafters, am i right?
AC - yup all crafters
HH - what made you decide to craft your own armor?
AC - hmmmm i started out in this hobby as a craftsman, making
props/weapon and stuff... so it would be kinda weird if i ask other people to do
it for me. and well in my opinion , making your own props/costume is a big part
of the whole cosplay experience.Figuring out how to do the costume, how to do
the mechanism to get certain effects, and doing it with friends. its what makes
the hobby much much more awesome and different from other hobbies
HH - it does give more satisfaction when you do it yourself!
HH - what would you like to be remembered as? i mean in cosplay
AC - >.< a very hard question for me to answer.. to be remembered means
for some reason i stop cosplaying, i can’t really picture myself stopping, the
reason why i started cosplaying is because i really love crafting and i'll be
doing it till the end of this earth
AC - well i want to have the reputation of being one of the most
awesome, of course! nyahahaha
HH - hahaha~ i like your answer! *thumbs up*
AC -not neccesarily the most awesome. I’m satisfied with being one of the best :D
HH - you won the coveted title of the best last cosmania X. How did
you feel about it?
AC - it felt awesome of course, but there's that part of me that wasn't
satisfied enough with our performance, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and i
really wanted to show everybody what we have... >.<
HH - do you have plans on participating again next year?
AC -Yup,super psyched already for the event, i really hope we make
it again in the grand finals
HH - and i'm looking forward to seeing your team again next year!
HH - do you have any advice to our newbies? shoutouts to your
friends and fans?
AC - research!!! everything is on the net,from all the how to's to
character references, so before doing a character make sure you research first
the things you need to know like if your planning to make the costume yourself
you can find a tutorial online on how to make the costume... internet is your
friend kaya use wisely a shout out to all my friends specially Bram miss na
kita *-* chatmate you know who you are O_O where na you? di na kita na kikitang
online >.<
HH - hahaha nice nice, we hope to see more of your work soon!
AC - nyahaha
HH - thank you very much! that wraps it up
AC - well thank you din po sa inyo, more power
HH - see you in the future cons!
AC - i want to see you do that butterfly thingy again nyahaha
HH -hahahahaha~ i'll keep that in mind XD
Today’s cosplayer is no stranger to the industry. He’s a great costume maker, an expert prop-crafter, and someone who knows how a cosplay should be done. He’s won numerous awards, one of which is the coveted title “champion of champions” in the recent Cosplaymania’s TorCH competition held at the SMX convention center in October of 2010. The man who doppelganged the Joker of the late and great Heath Ledger, is none other than, AC Hernandez!
4 years in cosplaying, his craft is definitely something aspiring cosplayers should take note of. The blood, sweat and tears he puts are evident in the quality of each of his masterpieces. Though he can be considered as one of the top guns in local cosplay, it doesn’t let it get to him, and is still someone you can walk up to and exchange words, a real friendly chap.
I hope you guys have as much fun reading as I’ve had interviewing this talented individual. Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------------
HH - thanks for sharing a bit of your time
AC - no probs
HH - what's your name?
AC - i'm AC Hernandez
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
AC - i've been cosplaying for about 4 years now ( well going 4 years
this coming March ), My first event was the 1st Philippine Cosplay Convention,i
cosplayed Jiraiya from Naruto that day
HH - 4 years? wow~ you sure have come a long way in your cosplay
career!
AC - well i just got back from haitus, i stopped for about a year,
actually I just got back from the cosplay scene
HH - ah, i see~ do you mind telling why? hiatus, i mean
AC – I stopped because I had to go back to my home, i started
cosplaying during my vacation in manila. I was having so much fun that I extended my vacation for a year until it reached the point that i really had to go back home
HH - where are you residing, exactly?
AC - i'm currently residing at Butuan City in the province of Agusan
del Norte... its somewhere in central Mindanao around 8 hours bus ride from Davao City
HH - wow~ i heard the cosplayers there are epic!
HH - what makes cosplaying a worthwhile hobby for you?
AC -The awesome people you meet in the hobby makes it really
worthwhile. It's not that often you get a chance to meet such amazing people.I
also learned alot from the hobby specially in the field of arts.
HH - We've been witness to a lot of your amazing cosplays, but
which one holds a special place in your heart?
AC - it would be the War Machine Cosplay we made for 2nd PCC. it means
alot to me because it was a collaboration work between me and my dear friend
Bram, we did alot of stuffs together but that costume really gave us a hard time
and alot of things happen when we made that costume, we passed a lot of trials
just to make it to the event >.<
HH - ah, that was an amazing cosplay, i'd have to say
AC - thank you
HH - you also make prosthetics, right?
AC - somewhat... its kinda hard to look for prosthetics materials here
in our country so i do it out of household items >.< some of which i'm not sure
if its safe to use. much of it is improvisation
HH - you're the first person i know that can make prosthetics!
where did you learn how to make them?
AC - the net, youtube... most of the tutorials i found online mentions
alot of materials that can't be found here so i had to look up for its basic
components and find a suitable substitute for the material
HH - that's dedication! *thumbs up*
AC - nyaha
HH - are there any cosplayers you look up to either locally or
internationally?
AC - yes there are, a lot of them actually locally i look up to Guy
Singzon,Mark Cerezo, Polidread, Pablo Bairan,Robert Wong and the Tuxedo Team...
i learned alot from them.i got everything i know about our hobby from these
guys. internationally, clive lee, goldy-japan, saber-france, orochi x-indonesia, their
works are awesome
HH - they're all crafters, am i right?
AC - yup all crafters
HH - what made you decide to craft your own armor?
AC - hmmmm i started out in this hobby as a craftsman, making
props/weapon and stuff... so it would be kinda weird if i ask other people to do
it for me. and well in my opinion , making your own props/costume is a big part
of the whole cosplay experience.Figuring out how to do the costume, how to do
the mechanism to get certain effects, and doing it with friends. its what makes
the hobby much much more awesome and different from other hobbies
HH - it does give more satisfaction when you do it yourself!
HH - what would you like to be remembered as? i mean in cosplay
AC - >.< a very hard question for me to answer.. to be remembered means
for some reason i stop cosplaying, i can’t really picture myself stopping, the
reason why i started cosplaying is because i really love crafting and i'll be
doing it till the end of this earth
AC - well i want to have the reputation of being one of the most
awesome, of course! nyahahaha
HH - hahaha~ i like your answer! *thumbs up*
AC -not neccesarily the most awesome. I’m satisfied with being one of the best :D
HH - you won the coveted title of the best last cosmania X. How did
you feel about it?
AC - it felt awesome of course, but there's that part of me that wasn't
satisfied enough with our performance, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and i
really wanted to show everybody what we have... >.<
HH - do you have plans on participating again next year?
AC -Yup,super psyched already for the event, i really hope we make
it again in the grand finals
HH - and i'm looking forward to seeing your team again next year!
HH - do you have any advice to our newbies? shoutouts to your
friends and fans?
AC - research!!! everything is on the net,from all the how to's to
character references, so before doing a character make sure you research first
the things you need to know like if your planning to make the costume yourself
you can find a tutorial online on how to make the costume... internet is your
friend kaya use wisely a shout out to all my friends specially Bram miss na
kita *-* chatmate you know who you are O_O where na you? di na kita na kikitang
online >.<
HH - hahaha nice nice, we hope to see more of your work soon!
AC - nyahaha
HH - thank you very much! that wraps it up
AC - well thank you din po sa inyo, more power
HH - see you in the future cons!
AC - i want to see you do that butterfly thingy again nyahaha
HH -hahahahaha~ i'll keep that in mind XD
Kyn - Eagle-Eyed Virtuoso
Photo by Hayase
For anything that you want done flawlessly, you have to sacrifice a lot. Nothing great can come out when one does something half-heartedly. Let me give some examples: In sports, one must be dedicated to training to acheive physical greatness and earn a chance to become the top of the contenders. In business, one must know everything that’s happening around him/her so as not to be left out by rival companies. The list of examples can go on and on and on, but will only lead to what I’m trying to say, you always have to give it your all to succeed.
In cosplaying, for you to be considered to be good, you have to take note of three things: first, you have to “know” the character. Second, accuracy in the costumes is a must. Lastly, the character, of course has to suit you. I will not be dwelling on these further because I would like to let this week’s feature show you how it’s done.
This week’s cosplayer is none other than Keen Kyn! For people who’ve worked with her and those who’ve seen her work, you would know immediately that she most certainly lives up to this pun of mine. From head to toe, those eagle eyes of hers are sure to analyze every inch of detail that she could possibly squeeze out of her would-be cosplays. Anyway, I’ll just get things started XP
---------------------------------------------------------
HH - good evening! thank you for spending a bit of your time for this interview!
KY – Good evening, dear friend!
HH - how was your christmas vacation?
KY – Ahahaha nothing fabulous per se! I just felt it was a long weekend
HH - really? but i hope you had fun during christmas and new year!
KY – I did, I did. Especially New Year’s. and you?
HH - it was ok for me, nothing fancy but had a good time with the
family~ thanks!
HH - are you ready? i'll begin bombarding you with questions kukuku
KY - I'm prepared!(@>.<)=@
HH - hahaha~ love the emoticon! ok! let's start~ what's your name?
KY – I prefer to call myself Kyn. It sounds the same as my other "spelled" nickname "Keen" ahahhaa!
HH - i see~ Keen like the word "keen"? meaning you're into details?
KY – is that a pun? Ahahaha but I live up to that nickname actually
HH - no pun intended XDD I was just curious as to why keen
KY – it’s shortened from my "original". My friends shortened it to Keen, then I just played with the spelling~ result is Kyn
HH - ah! mystery solved! hahaha but based from my experience, you
really do have a kyn eye for things, right, Kyn? pun intended this time hahaha
KY – I have to agree with that XD I make sure things such as costume details, props, wigs are 80-90% if we can't achieve it to 100% It's a challenge for me and some sort of discipline I guess
HH - and a good one, at that
KY – why thank you ^^
HH - how long have you been in this hobby?
KY – I started in April 2003, so in April, it's going to be 7 years… wait. 7 years! WOW, it's been that long?! O_O I'm surprised!
HH - XD that's quite a number! I'm pretty sure you have a lot of
people you know! how would you say your experience has been over the past 7 years?
KY – Ahahaha I only know a few people in the community. Most of them are my friends
HH - oh really? color me shocked!
KY – As for experience, it was really fun! Especially
when not only I can say that I've improved, I've seen a lot of people improved and bring surprises with their costumes. It fancies me
HH - fancies you in what way, exactly?
KY – I easily get excited when I encounter new ideas during events. Let's take an example from LU Live 2007 when I saw Kuya Robert Wong's costume. It was the first time I've seen that kind of costume in my years in cosplaying. here's the photo: http://www.cosplay.ph/resume/viewcostume.php?costume_id=265
HH - oh my goodnes... i'm officially awestruck right now O_O goodness... now i'm starting to have typos XD
KY - See? Told you! And every time I see a costume like that, or even if it's not mecha, let's say more of the fabric type I would really stare at its details and be in awe. You can say I like appreciating costumes and cosplay per se
HH - wow... i hope i can see more cosplays like this in the future!
KY – I hope so too!
HH - what makes cosplay a worthwhile hobby for you?
KY – Cosplay became a worthwhile
hobby not only because I've met so many people and become friends with them but also every time I plan with my cosplay projects it gets me into an adrenaline rush. I don't usually have that in my everyday life, well besides stress ahahaha! I always say I like the challenge in every project but there are times I ask help from people who are much better than me in working with props, but also through them I gain knowledge in crafts~
HH - have you ever been stressed with one of your cosplays in the
past?
KY - Stressed? AHAHAHAHAH GOOD QUESTION!!! Photoshoot schedules and participating in events were giving me a lot of stress. As in seriously or may be because I don't have much patience to begin with. But as they say, "all's well that ends well" and that's what usually happens. Stress is inevitable
XD but if a person can handle it well, it's no big deal. And I know I'm the least person to say that ahahhaa!!
HH - but you have a very good point there
HH - how many cosplays have you done in total? do give some
examples
KY - I've lost count! Wait, let me check my record~
HH – THAT MANY?!?!? WHOA!!!
KY – Ahahahaa I am surprised as well! XD Anyway I've cosplayed 31 characters and the number of times I cosplayed is 45. I have never thought I'd get more than 20 cosplays in my long years of cosplay O_O
HH - i see, so you also do different versions of characters!
KY – of course~
HH - 31 is a number I'm not sure I'll ever reach right now XD
KY - Oho? You say that now but you can never tell KUFUFUFUFUFU don't worry, I'll make sure you do AHAHAHAH
HH – I SEEK GUIDANCE, MASTER! *bows down*
KY – Ah now, now .I'm not worthy to be called as such
HH - so far, which cosplay has been your favorite? your most
difficult?
KY – Ahh now that's a difficult question XD I cannot say I only have one favored cosplay because all my cosplays have tales during its progress. But my most faves are: Allen Walker (Omega version), Sora, Freya, Assassin Cross and Zidane Tribal. Most difficult:
hmmm... in every cosplay I've worn and portrayed they all have difficulties in different aspects XD
HH - ok, i'll pick one of your faves: why allen walker?
KY - Allen Walker was a challenge to myself. I idolize a group called CNCos and there was this Allen Walker cosplayer who did so well. So I put myself into that challenge if I can do well in my level XD And then voila~ I never thought I'd get a lot of appreciation from DGM fans ^^;;; Aside from the fact that Allen Walker is my favorite character in DGM, I made sure to portray him well.
HH - and you did a fine job~ i know a lot of people who loved your
allen walker! myself included, of course!
KY – Aww man, thanks! >///////<
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
KY - Dream
cosplay? I want to do Lenneth Valkyrie. And a few more characters
from the games I've played in PSX XD
HH - oh! nice pick! why her?
KY – Lenneth is my most favorite game character. I'm a fan of Valkyrie Profile. I've even memorized some of her lines before.
HH - wow! dedication fits you like a glove
KY - Maybe I'm just a VP otaku
HH - who are your cosplay idols? do name a few~
KY - oho~ in our local community:
Kuya Robert Wong, Kuya Polidread, and Team Tux. In asia: Noeru, Rainertachibana, Lennethxvii, Cvy, KANAME, Ring, Tasha, Eki, Ryusei, miyoC, Lalaax, Yuegene. In the west: Lillyxandra, ryoko-demon, socophdpepper~ and many more~~~
HH – what makes these people stand out from the rest of the pack?
KY – hmm well most of the names I've mentioned do well in portraying their characters
and they all have accuracy in their costumes. Another would be their awesome skill in making props
HH - how do you see our local cosplay community 10 years from now?
KY – Hmm there's a positive and negative. Positive, because a lot more would eventually give me an awestruck moment from their improvement. Negative because a lot of people have noticed our community,
we are no longer small. If you notice, there are events that even held cosplays as part of their program even though it’s not supposed to be there.So the people who are clueless towards cosplay, would get used to the idea of just mixing and matching clothes from their closets and call it cosplaying.
HH - i see, so it'll eventually turn into a dress up hobby
KY – I hope it doesn't end that way T_T I know that we can't teach them all what cosplay really is, but kids like them like to be spoon-fed. They should at least do a bit of research on their part.
HH - what are the pros and cons of today's and before's?
KY - Before:[Pros] less drama, less cosplay politics, people you've just met will eventually
be your friend and they’re much kinder. Plus, people help each other, as in no hesitation. Lastly, it's all fun!
Before:[Cons] Difficulty with resources, events were hard to come by, less Wow factor in costumes- considering the difficulty
with resources as well.
Today:[Pros] a lot of improvement and resources for our cosplay needs, easy to tag people to organize a group cosplay project
Today:[Cons] a lot of dramu as in left and right you'll hear one, I've heard a lot of modus operandi concerning costume-making scammers. But they’re gone now...hopefully.
another is that a lot of kids who see cosplay as a stepping stone to fame. Sad reality.
HH - now if only everyone can just get along and have fun
KY - yeah, but that's hard to achieve today
HH - do you have any advice to our newbies?
KY – Hmm well as i've mentioned above: Research is very very important.
Before I got into cosplaying
I did a lot of research. And if you're overwhelmed with some cosplays you'll see, don't be discouraged. Instead, be creative. Failure is part of one's success. And lastly, have fun. Of course, it's a must because this is just a hobby. A very expensive one
HH - any shoutouts to your fans, friends, and loved ones?
KY - Fans? Do I have fans? Weeeeehhhhh Well first of all, I'd like to thank my friends who had been putting up with my stress-driven projects and of course for helping and being there with me throughout these years.
HH - thank you very much, Kyn! I'm certainly looking forward to
your upcoming works!
KY - Thank
you too for having me here~ and see you in our projects KUFUFUFUFU
Do check her past works and watch out for her future posts in her DA account
http://kynkyn.deviantart.com
In cosplaying, for you to be considered to be good, you have to take note of three things: first, you have to “know” the character. Second, accuracy in the costumes is a must. Lastly, the character, of course has to suit you. I will not be dwelling on these further because I would like to let this week’s feature show you how it’s done.
This week’s cosplayer is none other than Keen Kyn! For people who’ve worked with her and those who’ve seen her work, you would know immediately that she most certainly lives up to this pun of mine. From head to toe, those eagle eyes of hers are sure to analyze every inch of detail that she could possibly squeeze out of her would-be cosplays. Anyway, I’ll just get things started XP
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HH - good evening! thank you for spending a bit of your time for this interview!
KY – Good evening, dear friend!
HH - how was your christmas vacation?
KY – Ahahaha nothing fabulous per se! I just felt it was a long weekend
HH - really? but i hope you had fun during christmas and new year!
KY – I did, I did. Especially New Year’s. and you?
HH - it was ok for me, nothing fancy but had a good time with the
family~ thanks!
HH - are you ready? i'll begin bombarding you with questions kukuku
KY - I'm prepared!(@>.<)=@
HH - hahaha~ love the emoticon! ok! let's start~ what's your name?
KY – I prefer to call myself Kyn. It sounds the same as my other "spelled" nickname "Keen" ahahhaa!
HH - i see~ Keen like the word "keen"? meaning you're into details?
KY – is that a pun? Ahahaha but I live up to that nickname actually
HH - no pun intended XDD I was just curious as to why keen
KY – it’s shortened from my "original". My friends shortened it to Keen, then I just played with the spelling~ result is Kyn
HH - ah! mystery solved! hahaha but based from my experience, you
really do have a kyn eye for things, right, Kyn? pun intended this time hahaha
KY – I have to agree with that XD I make sure things such as costume details, props, wigs are 80-90% if we can't achieve it to 100% It's a challenge for me and some sort of discipline I guess
HH - and a good one, at that
KY – why thank you ^^
HH - how long have you been in this hobby?
KY – I started in April 2003, so in April, it's going to be 7 years… wait. 7 years! WOW, it's been that long?! O_O I'm surprised!
HH - XD that's quite a number! I'm pretty sure you have a lot of
people you know! how would you say your experience has been over the past 7 years?
KY – Ahahaha I only know a few people in the community. Most of them are my friends
HH - oh really? color me shocked!
KY – As for experience, it was really fun! Especially
when not only I can say that I've improved, I've seen a lot of people improved and bring surprises with their costumes. It fancies me
HH - fancies you in what way, exactly?
KY – I easily get excited when I encounter new ideas during events. Let's take an example from LU Live 2007 when I saw Kuya Robert Wong's costume. It was the first time I've seen that kind of costume in my years in cosplaying. here's the photo: http://www.cosplay.ph/resume/viewcostume.php?costume_id=265
HH - oh my goodnes... i'm officially awestruck right now O_O goodness... now i'm starting to have typos XD
KY - See? Told you! And every time I see a costume like that, or even if it's not mecha, let's say more of the fabric type I would really stare at its details and be in awe. You can say I like appreciating costumes and cosplay per se
HH - wow... i hope i can see more cosplays like this in the future!
KY – I hope so too!
HH - what makes cosplay a worthwhile hobby for you?
KY – Cosplay became a worthwhile
hobby not only because I've met so many people and become friends with them but also every time I plan with my cosplay projects it gets me into an adrenaline rush. I don't usually have that in my everyday life, well besides stress ahahaha! I always say I like the challenge in every project but there are times I ask help from people who are much better than me in working with props, but also through them I gain knowledge in crafts~
HH - have you ever been stressed with one of your cosplays in the
past?
KY - Stressed? AHAHAHAHAH GOOD QUESTION!!! Photoshoot schedules and participating in events were giving me a lot of stress. As in seriously or may be because I don't have much patience to begin with. But as they say, "all's well that ends well" and that's what usually happens. Stress is inevitable
XD but if a person can handle it well, it's no big deal. And I know I'm the least person to say that ahahhaa!!
HH - but you have a very good point there
HH - how many cosplays have you done in total? do give some
examples
KY - I've lost count! Wait, let me check my record~
HH – THAT MANY?!?!? WHOA!!!
KY – Ahahahaa I am surprised as well! XD Anyway I've cosplayed 31 characters and the number of times I cosplayed is 45. I have never thought I'd get more than 20 cosplays in my long years of cosplay O_O
HH - i see, so you also do different versions of characters!
KY – of course~
HH - 31 is a number I'm not sure I'll ever reach right now XD
KY - Oho? You say that now but you can never tell KUFUFUFUFUFU don't worry, I'll make sure you do AHAHAHAH
HH – I SEEK GUIDANCE, MASTER! *bows down*
KY – Ah now, now .I'm not worthy to be called as such
HH - so far, which cosplay has been your favorite? your most
difficult?
KY – Ahh now that's a difficult question XD I cannot say I only have one favored cosplay because all my cosplays have tales during its progress. But my most faves are: Allen Walker (Omega version), Sora, Freya, Assassin Cross and Zidane Tribal. Most difficult:
hmmm... in every cosplay I've worn and portrayed they all have difficulties in different aspects XD
HH - ok, i'll pick one of your faves: why allen walker?
KY - Allen Walker was a challenge to myself. I idolize a group called CNCos and there was this Allen Walker cosplayer who did so well. So I put myself into that challenge if I can do well in my level XD And then voila~ I never thought I'd get a lot of appreciation from DGM fans ^^;;; Aside from the fact that Allen Walker is my favorite character in DGM, I made sure to portray him well.
HH - and you did a fine job~ i know a lot of people who loved your
allen walker! myself included, of course!
KY – Aww man, thanks! >///////<
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
KY - Dream
cosplay? I want to do Lenneth Valkyrie. And a few more characters
from the games I've played in PSX XD
HH - oh! nice pick! why her?
KY – Lenneth is my most favorite game character. I'm a fan of Valkyrie Profile. I've even memorized some of her lines before.
HH - wow! dedication fits you like a glove
KY - Maybe I'm just a VP otaku
HH - who are your cosplay idols? do name a few~
KY - oho~ in our local community:
Kuya Robert Wong, Kuya Polidread, and Team Tux. In asia: Noeru, Rainertachibana, Lennethxvii, Cvy, KANAME, Ring, Tasha, Eki, Ryusei, miyoC, Lalaax, Yuegene. In the west: Lillyxandra, ryoko-demon, socophdpepper~ and many more~~~
HH – what makes these people stand out from the rest of the pack?
KY – hmm well most of the names I've mentioned do well in portraying their characters
and they all have accuracy in their costumes. Another would be their awesome skill in making props
HH - how do you see our local cosplay community 10 years from now?
KY – Hmm there's a positive and negative. Positive, because a lot more would eventually give me an awestruck moment from their improvement. Negative because a lot of people have noticed our community,
we are no longer small. If you notice, there are events that even held cosplays as part of their program even though it’s not supposed to be there.So the people who are clueless towards cosplay, would get used to the idea of just mixing and matching clothes from their closets and call it cosplaying.
HH - i see, so it'll eventually turn into a dress up hobby
KY – I hope it doesn't end that way T_T I know that we can't teach them all what cosplay really is, but kids like them like to be spoon-fed. They should at least do a bit of research on their part.
HH - what are the pros and cons of today's and before's?
KY - Before:[Pros] less drama, less cosplay politics, people you've just met will eventually
be your friend and they’re much kinder. Plus, people help each other, as in no hesitation. Lastly, it's all fun!
Before:[Cons] Difficulty with resources, events were hard to come by, less Wow factor in costumes- considering the difficulty
with resources as well.
Today:[Pros] a lot of improvement and resources for our cosplay needs, easy to tag people to organize a group cosplay project
Today:[Cons] a lot of dramu as in left and right you'll hear one, I've heard a lot of modus operandi concerning costume-making scammers. But they’re gone now...hopefully.
another is that a lot of kids who see cosplay as a stepping stone to fame. Sad reality.
HH - now if only everyone can just get along and have fun
KY - yeah, but that's hard to achieve today
HH - do you have any advice to our newbies?
KY – Hmm well as i've mentioned above: Research is very very important.
Before I got into cosplaying
I did a lot of research. And if you're overwhelmed with some cosplays you'll see, don't be discouraged. Instead, be creative. Failure is part of one's success. And lastly, have fun. Of course, it's a must because this is just a hobby. A very expensive one
HH - any shoutouts to your fans, friends, and loved ones?
KY - Fans? Do I have fans? Weeeeehhhhh Well first of all, I'd like to thank my friends who had been putting up with my stress-driven projects and of course for helping and being there with me throughout these years.
HH - thank you very much, Kyn! I'm certainly looking forward to
your upcoming works!
KY - Thank
you too for having me here~ and see you in our projects KUFUFUFUFU
Do check her past works and watch out for her future posts in her DA account
http://kynkyn.deviantart.com
Denggoy a.k.a. Uchuu Keiji Sharivan! - The Defender of Smiles
Photo by Anonymous
When I was just a kid, I dreamt of becoming a defender of justice. Someone people could count on in their times of peril, someone who would come at any individual’s darkest hour if need be. Someone people would call a hero. I’m absolutely sure that I was not the only toddler who yearned for this fantasy turning into a reality someday. Unfortunately for me, it never came into realization.
Back then, Shaider was at the apex of heroes that I, and most other boys my age, looked up to. With a shiny armor, a cool cache of weaponry, and most of all, an eye-popping ship that turns transforms into a super robot with a blast capable of turning black to white in a matter of milliseconds, Shaider made me want to become… a Space Sheriff!! Those were the good ol’ days! *sips tea* (gaaah… I feel so old XDD)
With that kind of introduction, I’m hoping you already have an idea what kind of cosplayer I’m featuring this week. This cosplayer has 8 years of experience in cosplaying in his belt, crafted helmets we would like to don, a fire in his soul, and a heart of gold. He’s most certainly no stranger to the catwalk and Karaoke competitions, Denggoy a.k.a. Sharivan! He’s a hero in his own right for he has been giving hopes to the children of today and tapping the young-once with their childhood dreams. So enjoy, you true believers! :D
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HH – What’s your name?
D – I’m Denggoy Isidro but just call me Denggoy, better known as Sharivan!
HH – What made you enter this hobby and how long have you been doing it?
D – Mr. Hiroshi Tsuburaya, most people might have remembered him as the legendary space sheriff shaider.. the 1st toku show to be dubbed in tagalog... he’s the guy who gave armor in my childhood. It was a huge throwback for me when I read from a blog that he died July 21, 2001. That gave me a huge motivation to cosplay a metal hero
HH – same goes for me too… He was such and awesome hero and a big inspiration to millions
HH – What makes cosplaying a worthwhile hobby for you?
D - that shining space cop. Anyhow, the smiles you see on events when people are taking pictures of you and they smile back... and also seeing my friends there who are very supportive and as i said, seeing smiles wether adult or child alike..
HH - it does have this different sense of satisfaction, doesn't it?
D - it does even if you don’t win in the events... at least you get something better; getting and seeing smiles are better rewards.
HH - how many cosplays have you done and who's your favorite so far?
D - actually 8 sharivan, juspion, kamen rider delta, megasilver, kamen rider ixa rising form, kamen rider decade complete form, kamen rider accel and kamen rider1... my favorite will always be sharivan and decade complete form comes close 2nd it's hard to portray a character who's an a**hole yet fights for justice like decade
HH - an intriguing set of cosplays! why choose to be a metal hero?
D – shadier, of course! He was my 1st dose of toku addiction and also i heard he was the 1st show to be tagalized. i was a religious follower as a kid i even posed like that space sheriff on our backyard at Pampanga.
HH - i too, am guilty of mimicking the great space sheriff!
HH – What’s your dream cosplay?
D – My dream cosplay would be a fiberglass-crafted sharivan.. i know I’m kinda biased but sharivan is my favorite among the 3. BUT, gavan, sharivan and shaider have a great place in my heart as the heroes that moulded me
HH – That would take your Sharivan cosplay to a whole new level!
D - ofcourse! Being a fully armored cosplayer is hard but fun and challenging
HH – Which cosplay is the most taxing?
D – Accel, it’s both hot and heavy, considering the outfit is made out of leather.
HH - ugh... so hot!! it makes you tired more quickly, am i right?
D - not much but my stamina is just right the main problem is dehydration so I drink a lot of water
HH – a good countermeasure!
HH – How long have you been cosplaying?
D - 7-8 years started on animequest 2003
HH – As a veteran, how do you see the hobby’s evolution through the years? Locally, I mean
D - i can say it’s going ok.. but some people do not know how to value this hobby or in my term my passion lots of people think just wearing a costume makes you a cosplayer.. cosplay means costume play it means you have to act as a character and be always in character and people confuse fashion from cosplay they are totally different genres
HH – Are there cosplayers you look up to?
D - YES too many.. niko cruz, paolo garcia, sir guy singson, abraham cruz, sir pablo bairan and neoknives and i forgot cykah those guys are soooooo much win and i forgot gene akizuki too! Oh! Francis Veloso and Clark Navarro as well!! Hehe
HH - all rubbercrafters!
D - yap they PUT hard work for their costumes and hard effort too they are INSPIRATIONS in my hobby
HH - why do you think that more and more people are entering the world of cosplaying?
D - they need to understand how to love this hobby and not think it as a way to get famous as i said or even get into a relationship and also let's not forget that this hobby is not as easy as they think
HH - i see~ but, would you encourage people to try?
D - yes i will and im not against newer people cosplaying aslong as they have the heart and the passion i won't mind giving them advice and even give a helping hand
HH – Do you have any advice to the newbies out there?
D – a bit of advice: cosplaying is a hobby that you must love it's not a way to get famous, seek a relationship or an escape to reality it's just a hobby that will put out your creativity and make your life more fun and enjoyable.. do not mistake this hobby pls do love it as it if is part of your life. also if you are cosplaying always be in character that's my advice to most newbies
HH – any shoutouts to your fans, friends, and family?
D - hey guys, your smiles are important... a smile is always and worth protecting and dying for please do cherish it
Watch out for our hero when you visit a convention! SEKISHA!! UCHUU KEIJI!! SHARIVAN!!!!!
Back then, Shaider was at the apex of heroes that I, and most other boys my age, looked up to. With a shiny armor, a cool cache of weaponry, and most of all, an eye-popping ship that turns transforms into a super robot with a blast capable of turning black to white in a matter of milliseconds, Shaider made me want to become… a Space Sheriff!! Those were the good ol’ days! *sips tea* (gaaah… I feel so old XDD)
With that kind of introduction, I’m hoping you already have an idea what kind of cosplayer I’m featuring this week. This cosplayer has 8 years of experience in cosplaying in his belt, crafted helmets we would like to don, a fire in his soul, and a heart of gold. He’s most certainly no stranger to the catwalk and Karaoke competitions, Denggoy a.k.a. Sharivan! He’s a hero in his own right for he has been giving hopes to the children of today and tapping the young-once with their childhood dreams. So enjoy, you true believers! :D
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HH – What’s your name?
D – I’m Denggoy Isidro but just call me Denggoy, better known as Sharivan!
HH – What made you enter this hobby and how long have you been doing it?
D – Mr. Hiroshi Tsuburaya, most people might have remembered him as the legendary space sheriff shaider.. the 1st toku show to be dubbed in tagalog... he’s the guy who gave armor in my childhood. It was a huge throwback for me when I read from a blog that he died July 21, 2001. That gave me a huge motivation to cosplay a metal hero
HH – same goes for me too… He was such and awesome hero and a big inspiration to millions
HH – What makes cosplaying a worthwhile hobby for you?
D - that shining space cop. Anyhow, the smiles you see on events when people are taking pictures of you and they smile back... and also seeing my friends there who are very supportive and as i said, seeing smiles wether adult or child alike..
HH - it does have this different sense of satisfaction, doesn't it?
D - it does even if you don’t win in the events... at least you get something better; getting and seeing smiles are better rewards.
HH - how many cosplays have you done and who's your favorite so far?
D - actually 8 sharivan, juspion, kamen rider delta, megasilver, kamen rider ixa rising form, kamen rider decade complete form, kamen rider accel and kamen rider1... my favorite will always be sharivan and decade complete form comes close 2nd it's hard to portray a character who's an a**hole yet fights for justice like decade
HH - an intriguing set of cosplays! why choose to be a metal hero?
D – shadier, of course! He was my 1st dose of toku addiction and also i heard he was the 1st show to be tagalized. i was a religious follower as a kid i even posed like that space sheriff on our backyard at Pampanga.
HH - i too, am guilty of mimicking the great space sheriff!
HH – What’s your dream cosplay?
D – My dream cosplay would be a fiberglass-crafted sharivan.. i know I’m kinda biased but sharivan is my favorite among the 3. BUT, gavan, sharivan and shaider have a great place in my heart as the heroes that moulded me
HH – That would take your Sharivan cosplay to a whole new level!
D - ofcourse! Being a fully armored cosplayer is hard but fun and challenging
HH – Which cosplay is the most taxing?
D – Accel, it’s both hot and heavy, considering the outfit is made out of leather.
HH - ugh... so hot!! it makes you tired more quickly, am i right?
D - not much but my stamina is just right the main problem is dehydration so I drink a lot of water
HH – a good countermeasure!
HH – How long have you been cosplaying?
D - 7-8 years started on animequest 2003
HH – As a veteran, how do you see the hobby’s evolution through the years? Locally, I mean
D - i can say it’s going ok.. but some people do not know how to value this hobby or in my term my passion lots of people think just wearing a costume makes you a cosplayer.. cosplay means costume play it means you have to act as a character and be always in character and people confuse fashion from cosplay they are totally different genres
HH – Are there cosplayers you look up to?
D - YES too many.. niko cruz, paolo garcia, sir guy singson, abraham cruz, sir pablo bairan and neoknives and i forgot cykah those guys are soooooo much win and i forgot gene akizuki too! Oh! Francis Veloso and Clark Navarro as well!! Hehe
HH - all rubbercrafters!
D - yap they PUT hard work for their costumes and hard effort too they are INSPIRATIONS in my hobby
HH - why do you think that more and more people are entering the world of cosplaying?
D - they need to understand how to love this hobby and not think it as a way to get famous as i said or even get into a relationship and also let's not forget that this hobby is not as easy as they think
HH - i see~ but, would you encourage people to try?
D - yes i will and im not against newer people cosplaying aslong as they have the heart and the passion i won't mind giving them advice and even give a helping hand
HH – Do you have any advice to the newbies out there?
D – a bit of advice: cosplaying is a hobby that you must love it's not a way to get famous, seek a relationship or an escape to reality it's just a hobby that will put out your creativity and make your life more fun and enjoyable.. do not mistake this hobby pls do love it as it if is part of your life. also if you are cosplaying always be in character that's my advice to most newbies
HH – any shoutouts to your fans, friends, and family?
D - hey guys, your smiles are important... a smile is always and worth protecting and dying for please do cherish it
Watch out for our hero when you visit a convention! SEKISHA!! UCHUU KEIJI!! SHARIVAN!!!!!
Wild Quakey - The Resident Fun Machine
Photo by Hexlord
Hello! It’s Christmas time once again! I’m praying everyone is in good spirits! Tis the season to be jolly, so good ol’ Hario’s decided to add another feature for this special day! A season of giving is the game to play right now so I’ll do just that. To top it off, I believe today’s feature fits the season perfectly. This cosplayer is all about having fun. He’s known to be “wild” and really bouncy. He can be called the “Tigger of Philippine cosplay” from my perspective. Always jolly, never ceasing to share and give smiles and laughs to anyone and everyone he meets. Don’t let the word fun mislead you, though. In terms of cosplay, he’s really eager to improve and keep on improving. He strives for accuracy, both costume-wise and persona.
I’ve gotten to know him a few months ago, when he was still starting out. I’ve witnessed his growth as a cosplayer and I can safely say that he’s treading the right path. An avid anime fan, a rising cosplayer, a linguist acrobat, a resident funny man, and an individual loved by many friends. I bring you, Romeo a.k.a. Wild Quakey!
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HH - yo yo!
WQ - hey there
HH - are you available right now?
WQ - sure am
HH - awesome! do you mind if i interview you?
WQ - nope nope it's okay
HH - yahoo! let's get this ball rolling!
HH - what's your name? or how would you like me to introduce you?
WQ - people know me as romeo, roms, romie, just recently i've taken up the "quakey" moniker and so far only a few have called me that
HH - quakey! i've been eager to know the reason for the nickname~
WQ - well for my most accounts online "wildquaker" has always
been my username and i thought it was too long so i cut it down a syllable and hence "quakey"
"wildquaker" came up from '99 back when quake 3 arena was a big thing in online FPS games
people called me wild 'cause i was jumping around like a loon, got to know some people online and they called me "wildquaker"
HH - ah! i see! so it came from quake, aye? this is a nice story behind the name~
WQ - it sure is. it's great recalling it every time
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
WQ - less than a year, 8 months to be exact, a newbie if you will
HH -but quite the popular newbie you are! if you still consider yourself a young gun in the business!
WQ - right you are! i'm still new to the hobby there are younger ones out there who have been cosplaying way longer that i've been
HH - hmmm~~ how is the cosplay experience for you, so far?
WQ - great!
HH - glad to hear that
WQ - i've come to love the hobby so much! it is always a fullfilling experience every time i do the cosplaying
HH - how many cosplays have you done? which characters?
WQ - so far i've done 9 cosplays; only one for a photoshoot and the rest in conventions
i've done lelouch lamperouge in his zero costume from code geass, the fanmade character, taito from vocaloid, hijikata toshirou of gintama, yazoo from final fantasy 7: the advent children, male professor of ragnarok online, alexander jagi III from DMC, alto saotome of macross frontier, eirin yagokoro from the touhou project, and the one i cosplayed from the photoshoot, kiyoteru hiyama
HH - wow! so much cosplays in a span of 8 months!
WQ - yes, i try to cosplay characters which i really want to cosplay
HH - out of all of those you mentioned, which one is your favorite?
WQ - regardless if there's a convention coming up or not. can i name two? LOL
HH - sure!
WQ - those would have to be the yazoo and the hijikata ones
HH - do you mind if i ask why?
WQ - not at all. well for the yazoo one...i always wanted to wear wigs that are long (reaching up to the back) and for some strange reason i find silver haired
characters awesome
HH - sephiroth!
WQ - ABSOLUTELY
HH - so when we talked about cosplaying the three SHMs from advent children i immediately chose yazoo
HH - because of his long silver locks?
WQ - for two reasons, one of which i already mentioned the
other reason is that yazoo's costume have those wing-like part in the lower half of the long jacket
HH - ah! yes yes~ i remember that! awesome~
WQ - make that three reasons LOL last reason is that yazoo's personality is quite
captivating for me among the three brothers. he's that obnoxious type who only smirks at the face of peril
HH -hehehe~ which adds to his epicness~ stone cold
WQ - that's the right term...stone cold
WQ - as for hijikata... he's just plain awesome
HH - how so?
WQ -'cause of his allure. this allure comes from his loyalty to kondo isao who is
less capable of being the commander of the shinsengumi. that's just the half of it
the other half of his awesomeBBQsauce is his short-temperedness added with a bit of quirkiness which is his devotion to mayonnaise LOL
HH - XDD a very interesting character, he is! character-wise, these two are polar opposites
looks-wise as well
HH - what made you decide to cosplay?
WQ - even before i even began to think of cosplaying, i always knew that there's a bit of theatrics in me. i like to act as someone like how comedians imitate people and i came to realize that there's a part of cosplaying that allows people to do that, so i gave it a try and now i help on planning with group cosplays
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
WQ - oh gosh...here we go. the count of monte cristo from gankutsuou
HH - oh! a unique character! why the count?
WQ - thanks to how the writers twist the story the count came off as the villain in the series, an evil count...that's enough reason for me to cosplay that. and then came his costume and appearance. back then when i saw an official artwork of the series, i saw the count and i exclaimed "soon."
HH - hahaha~ how soon is "soon"?
WQ - if my fate allows me...next year
HH - wow! i'll have to watch out for that!
HH -what has been your most challenging cosplay to date?
WQ - hmmm i guess that'd have to be the jagi one. back then my knowledge of anything regarding cosplay was close to nil. that and my incompetence with handywork made it hard for
me. i didn't know where to buy fabrics for the costume or what fabric should i get, i don't know any tailors who can help me make the
costume, and i've no experience with make up. so you could pretty much say i don't know where to start
HH - but you were still able to pull him off well! evident proof of the makings of a great cosplayer
WQ - all thanks to my wonderful friends who helped out a clueless noobie on that cosplay of mine
HH - how would you like to be known in the industry?
WQ - oh just someone who really just wanted to make friends to enjoy the hobby with or a loko fanboy LOL
HH - You've been a witness to AFA 2010, your thoughts?
WQ - it was really a new experience for me. the ratio of boy cosplayers to girl cosplayers is very different from what we have here. there are more girl cosplayers there than here
HH - really? that IS different
WQ - estrogen reigned supreme LOL
HH - Would you like to participate in the AFA as a contestant, given the chance?
WQ - i'd rather not. competition isn't my thing in cosplaying, though i am willing to help out friends if they were to compete in the AFA cosplay competition
HH - how do you see cosplay in the years to come?
WQ - i've seen the cosplays from last year and in this year. i've to say cosplayers are getting more serious now. not only that... the choices of cosplays are getting more and more diverse
HH - it's starting to get a lot of media attention, especially these days. your thoughts?
WQ - the hobby is going mainstream now and in more years to come the hobby will get to experience more exposure and some cosplayer's trouble with acceptance in the
society will benefit from this media attention. however i feel there may be a bad side to this
HH - how so?
WQ - the media tends to misinterpret things and cosplaying is not exactly a hobby easily understood and so my hopes to the media shedding light to cosplaying will for the most part be good on the cosplayers
HH -any words of advice to people thinking about joining the
cosplay world?
WQ- nothing can go wrong if you just enjoy the hobby. just don't spoil the fun of others and make friends along the way cosplaying is way more fun that way
HH - any special shoutouts to your fans and friends?
WQ - KIRA!!!
to know more about the man behind the make-up, check out his websites!
http://twitter.com/wildquaker
http://www.plurk.com/wildquaker
http://wildquaker.deviantart.com
http://wildquaker.tumblr.com
http://wildquaker.wordpress.com
http://en.curecos.com/profile/?ch=201409
I’ve gotten to know him a few months ago, when he was still starting out. I’ve witnessed his growth as a cosplayer and I can safely say that he’s treading the right path. An avid anime fan, a rising cosplayer, a linguist acrobat, a resident funny man, and an individual loved by many friends. I bring you, Romeo a.k.a. Wild Quakey!
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HH - yo yo!
WQ - hey there
HH - are you available right now?
WQ - sure am
HH - awesome! do you mind if i interview you?
WQ - nope nope it's okay
HH - yahoo! let's get this ball rolling!
HH - what's your name? or how would you like me to introduce you?
WQ - people know me as romeo, roms, romie, just recently i've taken up the "quakey" moniker and so far only a few have called me that
HH - quakey! i've been eager to know the reason for the nickname~
WQ - well for my most accounts online "wildquaker" has always
been my username and i thought it was too long so i cut it down a syllable and hence "quakey"
"wildquaker" came up from '99 back when quake 3 arena was a big thing in online FPS games
people called me wild 'cause i was jumping around like a loon, got to know some people online and they called me "wildquaker"
HH - ah! i see! so it came from quake, aye? this is a nice story behind the name~
WQ - it sure is. it's great recalling it every time
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
WQ - less than a year, 8 months to be exact, a newbie if you will
HH -but quite the popular newbie you are! if you still consider yourself a young gun in the business!
WQ - right you are! i'm still new to the hobby there are younger ones out there who have been cosplaying way longer that i've been
HH - hmmm~~ how is the cosplay experience for you, so far?
WQ - great!
HH - glad to hear that
WQ - i've come to love the hobby so much! it is always a fullfilling experience every time i do the cosplaying
HH - how many cosplays have you done? which characters?
WQ - so far i've done 9 cosplays; only one for a photoshoot and the rest in conventions
i've done lelouch lamperouge in his zero costume from code geass, the fanmade character, taito from vocaloid, hijikata toshirou of gintama, yazoo from final fantasy 7: the advent children, male professor of ragnarok online, alexander jagi III from DMC, alto saotome of macross frontier, eirin yagokoro from the touhou project, and the one i cosplayed from the photoshoot, kiyoteru hiyama
HH - wow! so much cosplays in a span of 8 months!
WQ - yes, i try to cosplay characters which i really want to cosplay
HH - out of all of those you mentioned, which one is your favorite?
WQ - regardless if there's a convention coming up or not. can i name two? LOL
HH - sure!
WQ - those would have to be the yazoo and the hijikata ones
HH - do you mind if i ask why?
WQ - not at all. well for the yazoo one...i always wanted to wear wigs that are long (reaching up to the back) and for some strange reason i find silver haired
characters awesome
HH - sephiroth!
WQ - ABSOLUTELY
HH - so when we talked about cosplaying the three SHMs from advent children i immediately chose yazoo
HH - because of his long silver locks?
WQ - for two reasons, one of which i already mentioned the
other reason is that yazoo's costume have those wing-like part in the lower half of the long jacket
HH - ah! yes yes~ i remember that! awesome~
WQ - make that three reasons LOL last reason is that yazoo's personality is quite
captivating for me among the three brothers. he's that obnoxious type who only smirks at the face of peril
HH -hehehe~ which adds to his epicness~ stone cold
WQ - that's the right term...stone cold
WQ - as for hijikata... he's just plain awesome
HH - how so?
WQ -'cause of his allure. this allure comes from his loyalty to kondo isao who is
less capable of being the commander of the shinsengumi. that's just the half of it
the other half of his awesomeBBQsauce is his short-temperedness added with a bit of quirkiness which is his devotion to mayonnaise LOL
HH - XDD a very interesting character, he is! character-wise, these two are polar opposites
looks-wise as well
HH - what made you decide to cosplay?
WQ - even before i even began to think of cosplaying, i always knew that there's a bit of theatrics in me. i like to act as someone like how comedians imitate people and i came to realize that there's a part of cosplaying that allows people to do that, so i gave it a try and now i help on planning with group cosplays
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
WQ - oh gosh...here we go. the count of monte cristo from gankutsuou
HH - oh! a unique character! why the count?
WQ - thanks to how the writers twist the story the count came off as the villain in the series, an evil count...that's enough reason for me to cosplay that. and then came his costume and appearance. back then when i saw an official artwork of the series, i saw the count and i exclaimed "soon."
HH - hahaha~ how soon is "soon"?
WQ - if my fate allows me...next year
HH - wow! i'll have to watch out for that!
HH -what has been your most challenging cosplay to date?
WQ - hmmm i guess that'd have to be the jagi one. back then my knowledge of anything regarding cosplay was close to nil. that and my incompetence with handywork made it hard for
me. i didn't know where to buy fabrics for the costume or what fabric should i get, i don't know any tailors who can help me make the
costume, and i've no experience with make up. so you could pretty much say i don't know where to start
HH - but you were still able to pull him off well! evident proof of the makings of a great cosplayer
WQ - all thanks to my wonderful friends who helped out a clueless noobie on that cosplay of mine
HH - how would you like to be known in the industry?
WQ - oh just someone who really just wanted to make friends to enjoy the hobby with or a loko fanboy LOL
HH - You've been a witness to AFA 2010, your thoughts?
WQ - it was really a new experience for me. the ratio of boy cosplayers to girl cosplayers is very different from what we have here. there are more girl cosplayers there than here
HH - really? that IS different
WQ - estrogen reigned supreme LOL
HH - Would you like to participate in the AFA as a contestant, given the chance?
WQ - i'd rather not. competition isn't my thing in cosplaying, though i am willing to help out friends if they were to compete in the AFA cosplay competition
HH - how do you see cosplay in the years to come?
WQ - i've seen the cosplays from last year and in this year. i've to say cosplayers are getting more serious now. not only that... the choices of cosplays are getting more and more diverse
HH - it's starting to get a lot of media attention, especially these days. your thoughts?
WQ - the hobby is going mainstream now and in more years to come the hobby will get to experience more exposure and some cosplayer's trouble with acceptance in the
society will benefit from this media attention. however i feel there may be a bad side to this
HH - how so?
WQ - the media tends to misinterpret things and cosplaying is not exactly a hobby easily understood and so my hopes to the media shedding light to cosplaying will for the most part be good on the cosplayers
HH -any words of advice to people thinking about joining the
cosplay world?
WQ- nothing can go wrong if you just enjoy the hobby. just don't spoil the fun of others and make friends along the way cosplaying is way more fun that way
HH - any special shoutouts to your fans and friends?
WQ - KIRA!!!
to know more about the man behind the make-up, check out his websites!
http://twitter.com/wildquaker
http://www.plurk.com/wildquaker
http://wildquaker.deviantart.com
http://wildquaker.tumblr.com
http://wildquaker.wordpress.com
http://en.curecos.com/profile/?ch=201409
Aruki - EXTREME!!!!
Photo by Aruki
Talent is something everybody has. Whether it be in sports, arts, or business; talent is always a factor in the realm of excellence. A whole lot of us have frustrations over why we don’t have this kind or that kind (I am of no exception, of course! *coughs*) Saying “why didn’t I just become good at this!” or “Why not that instead?” and so on. But some people are really fortunate to be showered with multiple talents and they are the type of people most of us either look up to or turn green with envy.
This leads me to my feature for this time. This week’s featured cosplayer is amazing in a lot of aspects. A mild-mannered, kind, and not to mention a multi-talented individual, that will surely pique your interest. She goes by the nickname of Aruki, and one I would say, is a natural artist. She is one of those cosplayers possessing wonderful strokes for drawing, an eye for photography, and a keen sense of cosplay accuracy. I can probably add more from her myriad of talents, but I believe it would be better to let you discover them yourself. It’s just about time for me to introduce to you, the reader, Irene or more widely known as Aruki!
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HH - good evening~
AR - konbanwa! 8D
HH - yo yo! how was your day today? good, i hope~
AR - yeah, so far so good. hope your day went well too!
HH - yeah, it was pretty good, for a day without talking to people face to face XD
hikkikomori moodo~
AR - Haha, I hear ya. XD I'm kinda like that, too Hikkikomori. I avoid talking to people as much as possible. ^^;
HH - anyway, i'm really thankful for you accepting my interview request~
AR - Me too! I mean, thank you for this opportunity. *bows*
HH - domo domo *bows* Are you ready? Kukuku~~
AR – Hahaha, I think so (wipes sweat) LOL, I’m actually getting nervous, I dunno why. (laughs)
HH - XD don't be~ it'll be a cinch! 1st question: what's your name?
AR - I'm called Irene by my close friends, but some people from the cosplay community know me by aruki. Haha, is it okay if we leave my name at that? I kinda don't fancy people knowing my whole name.. ^^;
HH - no problem at all! ^_^
AR – Thanks!
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
AR - About two years now. I started coslplaying around January 2007 but only became active around late 2008.
HH - i see~~ what made you decide entering this hobby?
AR - It's quite a long story: I tagged along my classmate back in 3rd year high school to C3Con. That was around 2003, I think. That's where we saw many cosplayers who donned these complicated and simple costumes, wielding these weapons and having the smiles on their faces. We got inspired to portray characters from a particular series, but never really had the chance to realize the dream. (laughs) But when I was watching the series Tenjou Tenge, a particular character's personality struck me real hard and I thought, I'll cosplay you someday.
I found that wearing costumes and working on props is a real challenge and I wanted to take up the challenge so I came to like this hobby. Plus, portraying the character I really like, or somewhat transforming it into flesh inspires me, too.
HH – OH! I was there too!
AR - Waaaa, you were there? XD Did you cosplay?
HH – YUP! I cosplayed Dante from Pasig XDD
AR - OMG THAT WAS YOU?! My friends were following PASIG then and we were so in awe when somebody cosplayed Dante and... the girl character. (Ugh, my memory sucks, I forgot the name of the character)
HH - ahehe~ it may not have been me because there were a lot of dantes that time XD I was the one who rolled, then did some kicks and stuff XD her name was mina, i believe hahaha
AR - Oh, yeah, Mina! Haha, LOL, I can't remember if there were a lot of Dantes, but still, it's cool!!! \o/ C3Con had been a blast, my friends and I were devastated when there hadn't been another one after that. Then PASIG ceased production. ;A;
HH - it was a blast, indeed! i really wish it was still ongoing~ the story was really good
AR – HEAR, HEAR!!
HH - next question~ who are your idols? local and international
AR - Oh, idols-- I have several: Locally, the TuxTeam. They were actually my inspiration
when I became active in cosplaying again. But I have come to know more people in the
Philippines who are equally inspiring, like Nanami, Tin and Ayi, and Zhel, to name a few.
Internationally, well, there's Cvy, Kanasai*, Lenneth and Sara from Singapore, Kazeki from
Malaysia, Yolkler and Yuegene from Thailand, KANAME and Zaka-san from Japan
HH - ah, yes! these people are all good cosplayers~
AR – Hehe, yeah they are! :D compared to others, my list is short!
HH – I have to research on the international people. I only know a few XP I have to dwell into DA(Deviant Art) more
AR – heehee, that’s ok. Same here! And we must frequent CureCos, too. More epic cosplayers are there, haha!
HH – Ah, yes! The site considered to be a mecca for cosplaying!
HH – up next, what makes this hobby worthwhile?
AR - Ah, now a tough question. For me, what makes it worthwhile is when I finally see the "final product" eliciting positive responses from people. Aside from that, it makes me feel satisfied and fulfilled when people compliment my efforts. I'm the type of person who actually needs to be affirmed to be able to function better, so when people commend me for the efforts I give into my cosplay, it makes me happy beyond words. That I gain friends who share the same hobby as I do also makes the world rose-colored.
HH - ah~ true! it gives one a great sense of accomplishment and pride ^_^
AR - Exactly! (LOL, I can't express myself that much, haha!)
HH – As a veteran, what are your thoughts on our local cosplay’s evolution?
AR - Local cosplay evolution, hmm. To be honest I sort of view it split to two extreme sides, meaning there are those who continuously excel in their craft, while there are people who believe that they are cosplaying when in fact what they're doing is far from the definition of the word; in short, those who simply don their costumes for the sake of saying "Hey, I'm a cosplayer."
HH - do you think this would change in the future?
AR - Hopefully, yes. If these people who are also into anime, manga, sentai, mecha would be enlightened,
then hopefully the bad side or wrong notion of cosplaying would change.
HH – What is your dream cosplay?
AR - Haha, this is what I like answering, really. My dream cosplay's Abarai Renji. The Pineapple (just kidding). He's cool and we're so alike in so many ways, especially his serious side. His dilemma of catching up to the person he looks up to and/or defeating him as his driving force is just... so strong (for the lack of a better word)! So strong, it moves me to tears every time I watch him struggle!
HH - oh! renji! he's a tough one, but i'm sure you can pull him off! His drive is really something else!
AR - True that-- he's extremely a challenging character, costume and personality-wise.
Thank you! I shall plan ahead for this dream cosplay (which won't be until I'm fully confident)!
HH - i'll definitely be looking forward to that time!
AR - Wee~ Thanks! I'll make it so you guys can be proud of me, LOL!
HH - what has been your most challenging cosplay to date?
AR - Most challenging cosplay, hmm.. it would be my Leviathan cosplay. It debuted last AOF 2009 along with my Varia Family. I remember cramming for it in three weeks: two weeks having the base leather coat commissioned, while contemplating which materials to use for the "umbrellas" and searching for the wig and other materials for small details, three days for finalizing the straps with eyelets and the props... and finally done a few hours before the event, haha! Rushed costume is rushed, indeed! (My Levi cosplay actually started from a joke where I said, "Levi needs more love. Game, I'm gonna cosplay him!" Then everything was just a blur--it happened that fast!)
HH - honestly speaking, your leviathan was one of my most favorite cosplays locally of all time!
AR - Waaahh~ Thank you! I was proud of it as well!
HH - it was really friggin' awesome! i was really surprised when i found out it was you! i really thought you were a guy that time. AH! DON'T HIT ME!!
AR - Haha! Don't worry, I kind of.. get that all the time. After all, my features are nothing like those moe girls, or loli's. And I haven't done female cosplays, so... I think that's a normal reaction. Plus, Levi's make-up was so hardcore, so that explains it. Takes me an hour and a half to two to finish his make-up, and that makes a whole lot MORE challenging!
HH - true! the make-up was TOTALLY hardcore!!! -ends fanboy mode-ahem... XDD i just never thought about a girl would cosplay leviathan, of all characters XP still, mad props to you!
AR - Thank you, thank you! It makes me so happy, yey!
HH – How many cosplays have you done through the years?
AR - I've cosplayed only 18 characters to date.
HH – WOW! A LOT! Which one is your favorite?
AR - Among all my cosplays, my favorite's Sasagawa Ryohei! It's so much fun acting and shouting "Kyokugen!" or "To the EXTREME!!!" with so much gusto. I didn't like the character at first, but we're so much alike in terms of being an idiot, or an overly simple-minded person, I immediately fell in love with it when we had our shoot back in August 2009. HAHAHA! I'm still hoping I'll be able to be SUPER hyper when I cosplay him again.
HH - EXTREME!!!!
AR - EXTREEEEEEEEEEEME!!! XDDD
HH - MAXIMUM CANNON! ack! i'm zoning in again! XDD
AR – XDDD
HH - how would you like to be known in the industry?
AR - Wow, this kind of caught me off guard. I'd like to be known as "That OZM Levi Cosplayer". Haha, just kidding. I'm not actually hoping for some sort of popularity, but I would like to be known as a person who, through her own efforts and friends' support, comes to realize the dream of continuing to portray characters who share a part of who she really is.
HH - very well said! it brings tears to my eyes T^T
AR – awwww *pats back*
HH - *sniffs* thanks!
HH - Last question, what would be your advice to both the newbies and the ones still planning on trying cosplaying?
AR - Cosplaying is a hobby (a costly and taxing one at that), but it shouldn't hinder you on what you really want to do in real life. It must not clash on your priorities, be at the top of your list especially if you're still studying, or be the source of bad relationship or miscommunication with your friends and families. If you've promised to follow that, then all will be well. Do it at your own pace so you can put on every detail if you're the meticulous type, but don't make it haphazardly that you neglect the important parts, or it will come out really half-assed. Take up those rubber sheets, papers, pens, paints, scissors, and Grecco (and get burned in the process); strike a pose, be in character, gain friends, and HAVE FUN!
To learn more about Aruki and her works, check her sites
http://aruki.deviantart.com
http://esclashier.tumblr.com
This leads me to my feature for this time. This week’s featured cosplayer is amazing in a lot of aspects. A mild-mannered, kind, and not to mention a multi-talented individual, that will surely pique your interest. She goes by the nickname of Aruki, and one I would say, is a natural artist. She is one of those cosplayers possessing wonderful strokes for drawing, an eye for photography, and a keen sense of cosplay accuracy. I can probably add more from her myriad of talents, but I believe it would be better to let you discover them yourself. It’s just about time for me to introduce to you, the reader, Irene or more widely known as Aruki!
----------------------------------------------------------------
HH - good evening~
AR - konbanwa! 8D
HH - yo yo! how was your day today? good, i hope~
AR - yeah, so far so good. hope your day went well too!
HH - yeah, it was pretty good, for a day without talking to people face to face XD
hikkikomori moodo~
AR - Haha, I hear ya. XD I'm kinda like that, too Hikkikomori. I avoid talking to people as much as possible. ^^;
HH - anyway, i'm really thankful for you accepting my interview request~
AR - Me too! I mean, thank you for this opportunity. *bows*
HH - domo domo *bows* Are you ready? Kukuku~~
AR – Hahaha, I think so (wipes sweat) LOL, I’m actually getting nervous, I dunno why. (laughs)
HH - XD don't be~ it'll be a cinch! 1st question: what's your name?
AR - I'm called Irene by my close friends, but some people from the cosplay community know me by aruki. Haha, is it okay if we leave my name at that? I kinda don't fancy people knowing my whole name.. ^^;
HH - no problem at all! ^_^
AR – Thanks!
HH - how long have you been cosplaying?
AR - About two years now. I started coslplaying around January 2007 but only became active around late 2008.
HH - i see~~ what made you decide entering this hobby?
AR - It's quite a long story: I tagged along my classmate back in 3rd year high school to C3Con. That was around 2003, I think. That's where we saw many cosplayers who donned these complicated and simple costumes, wielding these weapons and having the smiles on their faces. We got inspired to portray characters from a particular series, but never really had the chance to realize the dream. (laughs) But when I was watching the series Tenjou Tenge, a particular character's personality struck me real hard and I thought, I'll cosplay you someday.
I found that wearing costumes and working on props is a real challenge and I wanted to take up the challenge so I came to like this hobby. Plus, portraying the character I really like, or somewhat transforming it into flesh inspires me, too.
HH – OH! I was there too!
AR - Waaaa, you were there? XD Did you cosplay?
HH – YUP! I cosplayed Dante from Pasig XDD
AR - OMG THAT WAS YOU?! My friends were following PASIG then and we were so in awe when somebody cosplayed Dante and... the girl character. (Ugh, my memory sucks, I forgot the name of the character)
HH - ahehe~ it may not have been me because there were a lot of dantes that time XD I was the one who rolled, then did some kicks and stuff XD her name was mina, i believe hahaha
AR - Oh, yeah, Mina! Haha, LOL, I can't remember if there were a lot of Dantes, but still, it's cool!!! \o/ C3Con had been a blast, my friends and I were devastated when there hadn't been another one after that. Then PASIG ceased production. ;A;
HH - it was a blast, indeed! i really wish it was still ongoing~ the story was really good
AR – HEAR, HEAR!!
HH - next question~ who are your idols? local and international
AR - Oh, idols-- I have several: Locally, the TuxTeam. They were actually my inspiration
when I became active in cosplaying again. But I have come to know more people in the
Philippines who are equally inspiring, like Nanami, Tin and Ayi, and Zhel, to name a few.
Internationally, well, there's Cvy, Kanasai*, Lenneth and Sara from Singapore, Kazeki from
Malaysia, Yolkler and Yuegene from Thailand, KANAME and Zaka-san from Japan
HH - ah, yes! these people are all good cosplayers~
AR – Hehe, yeah they are! :D compared to others, my list is short!
HH – I have to research on the international people. I only know a few XP I have to dwell into DA(Deviant Art) more
AR – heehee, that’s ok. Same here! And we must frequent CureCos, too. More epic cosplayers are there, haha!
HH – Ah, yes! The site considered to be a mecca for cosplaying!
HH – up next, what makes this hobby worthwhile?
AR - Ah, now a tough question. For me, what makes it worthwhile is when I finally see the "final product" eliciting positive responses from people. Aside from that, it makes me feel satisfied and fulfilled when people compliment my efforts. I'm the type of person who actually needs to be affirmed to be able to function better, so when people commend me for the efforts I give into my cosplay, it makes me happy beyond words. That I gain friends who share the same hobby as I do also makes the world rose-colored.
HH - ah~ true! it gives one a great sense of accomplishment and pride ^_^
AR - Exactly! (LOL, I can't express myself that much, haha!)
HH – As a veteran, what are your thoughts on our local cosplay’s evolution?
AR - Local cosplay evolution, hmm. To be honest I sort of view it split to two extreme sides, meaning there are those who continuously excel in their craft, while there are people who believe that they are cosplaying when in fact what they're doing is far from the definition of the word; in short, those who simply don their costumes for the sake of saying "Hey, I'm a cosplayer."
HH - do you think this would change in the future?
AR - Hopefully, yes. If these people who are also into anime, manga, sentai, mecha would be enlightened,
then hopefully the bad side or wrong notion of cosplaying would change.
HH – What is your dream cosplay?
AR - Haha, this is what I like answering, really. My dream cosplay's Abarai Renji. The Pineapple (just kidding). He's cool and we're so alike in so many ways, especially his serious side. His dilemma of catching up to the person he looks up to and/or defeating him as his driving force is just... so strong (for the lack of a better word)! So strong, it moves me to tears every time I watch him struggle!
HH - oh! renji! he's a tough one, but i'm sure you can pull him off! His drive is really something else!
AR - True that-- he's extremely a challenging character, costume and personality-wise.
Thank you! I shall plan ahead for this dream cosplay (which won't be until I'm fully confident)!
HH - i'll definitely be looking forward to that time!
AR - Wee~ Thanks! I'll make it so you guys can be proud of me, LOL!
HH - what has been your most challenging cosplay to date?
AR - Most challenging cosplay, hmm.. it would be my Leviathan cosplay. It debuted last AOF 2009 along with my Varia Family. I remember cramming for it in three weeks: two weeks having the base leather coat commissioned, while contemplating which materials to use for the "umbrellas" and searching for the wig and other materials for small details, three days for finalizing the straps with eyelets and the props... and finally done a few hours before the event, haha! Rushed costume is rushed, indeed! (My Levi cosplay actually started from a joke where I said, "Levi needs more love. Game, I'm gonna cosplay him!" Then everything was just a blur--it happened that fast!)
HH - honestly speaking, your leviathan was one of my most favorite cosplays locally of all time!
AR - Waaahh~ Thank you! I was proud of it as well!
HH - it was really friggin' awesome! i was really surprised when i found out it was you! i really thought you were a guy that time. AH! DON'T HIT ME!!
AR - Haha! Don't worry, I kind of.. get that all the time. After all, my features are nothing like those moe girls, or loli's. And I haven't done female cosplays, so... I think that's a normal reaction. Plus, Levi's make-up was so hardcore, so that explains it. Takes me an hour and a half to two to finish his make-up, and that makes a whole lot MORE challenging!
HH - true! the make-up was TOTALLY hardcore!!! -ends fanboy mode-ahem... XDD i just never thought about a girl would cosplay leviathan, of all characters XP still, mad props to you!
AR - Thank you, thank you! It makes me so happy, yey!
HH – How many cosplays have you done through the years?
AR - I've cosplayed only 18 characters to date.
HH – WOW! A LOT! Which one is your favorite?
AR - Among all my cosplays, my favorite's Sasagawa Ryohei! It's so much fun acting and shouting "Kyokugen!" or "To the EXTREME!!!" with so much gusto. I didn't like the character at first, but we're so much alike in terms of being an idiot, or an overly simple-minded person, I immediately fell in love with it when we had our shoot back in August 2009. HAHAHA! I'm still hoping I'll be able to be SUPER hyper when I cosplay him again.
HH - EXTREME!!!!
AR - EXTREEEEEEEEEEEME!!! XDDD
HH - MAXIMUM CANNON! ack! i'm zoning in again! XDD
AR – XDDD
HH - how would you like to be known in the industry?
AR - Wow, this kind of caught me off guard. I'd like to be known as "That OZM Levi Cosplayer". Haha, just kidding. I'm not actually hoping for some sort of popularity, but I would like to be known as a person who, through her own efforts and friends' support, comes to realize the dream of continuing to portray characters who share a part of who she really is.
HH - very well said! it brings tears to my eyes T^T
AR – awwww *pats back*
HH - *sniffs* thanks!
HH - Last question, what would be your advice to both the newbies and the ones still planning on trying cosplaying?
AR - Cosplaying is a hobby (a costly and taxing one at that), but it shouldn't hinder you on what you really want to do in real life. It must not clash on your priorities, be at the top of your list especially if you're still studying, or be the source of bad relationship or miscommunication with your friends and families. If you've promised to follow that, then all will be well. Do it at your own pace so you can put on every detail if you're the meticulous type, but don't make it haphazardly that you neglect the important parts, or it will come out really half-assed. Take up those rubber sheets, papers, pens, paints, scissors, and Grecco (and get burned in the process); strike a pose, be in character, gain friends, and HAVE FUN!
To learn more about Aruki and her works, check her sites
http://aruki.deviantart.com
http://esclashier.tumblr.com
Sese Ramirez - Passion and Commitment
Photo by Alfred Bayle
Since time immemorial, Fire has been associated with a lot of things, a god, a friend, an enemy. It has also been used to define the very beings of historical figures we can read in our history books. What does fire symbolize? It represents strength, passion, and warmth. All of the three traits that one can see in the first, and this week's, feature. For our first interview release, I was very fortunate enough to be able to have a very interesting and fun conversation with a veteran cosplayer who’s one half of team Bajina, the team which honored the Philippines with a very splendid performance in Singapore’s AFA competition of 2010, regrettably, one that I was not able to watch with my own two eyes . The one and only, Sese Ramirez!! Let her words ignite your cosplay flame!
She’s an individual who has a keen eye for detail in her costumes, a theatrical expert, and a very poignant cosplayer. Her devotion to the craft can be seen in all of her cosplays. Now, let me stall you no further, and let me share my simple interview with one so renowned. Enjoy!
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What’s your name?
SR – My name is Nepherteri Ramirez, but I prefer people to call me Sese J
How long have you been cosplaying?
SR – Let’s see, I’ve been cosplaying since 2006, so I’ve been cosplaying for 5 years now! J
HH – Wow! That’s pretty long! How do you see our local industry’s progression?
SR - At the moment, I can see that we are improving in terms of cosplay and there are a lot of new cosplayers around. Most of them are much younger than me. However, what I don't like about the current situation. is how other people view cosplay here. They think cosplayers / cosplay is equal to modelling or fashion, which is not.
HH - aha~~ but nowadays, there's more variety, right?
SR - yes there's more variety now. It’s good to see that cosplayers are cosplaying characters from games and manga. Before, you can only see cosplayers cos-ing from mainstream anime
HH - these days, there are some really big anime titles and people
can't seem to get enough of titles like bleach, naruto, and KHR. do you have any
plans on cosplaying characters from shonen jump?
SR - hmm actually I wanted to cosplay someone from Yuu Yuu Hakusho.
If you remember Sniper I would love to cosplay him
HH - oh! i've never seen anyone cosplay him ^_^ why choose sniper?
SR - one i find it sad that Sniper is such an underrated character when he’s so cool-looking and all! If I could find a group who is willing to cosplay sensui's group that would be awesome!
HH - what made you decide to enter cosplaying?
SR - Actually at first, I wasn’t really interested in it. Then my
friend persuaded me and after that, I got addicted. I think what made me decide
to be serious about cosplaying was that I could actually put some theater acting in it since I used to be a part of theatrical activities before. Also it honed my creativity and skills in make-up and wig
styling
HH - i see~ you were into theater or still?
SR – I did, before. But not anymore, I think I need to refresh my skills in
theater arts but for now, I just focus on cosplaying
HH - follow-up question: would you consider cosplay an art?
SR - yes, for me cosplay is an art. Cosplay shows the creativity in a person.
HH - what makes cosplay a worthwhile hobby?
SR - It's a worthwhile hobby for me because I was able to show that I
can be someone else and I can be accurate on it. It is worth it not because I
get attention or become famous by it. It’s worth it because I’m able to share
and show my creativity through it. Also I was able to make a lot of friends not only here but in other
countries too
HH - 2010, you are one half of team bajina. How did it feel to
represent the Philippines in such a prestigious cosplay event? Congratulations, by the way for such an awesome job! ^_^
SR - Thanks for that Well I felt really proud that we were able to
represent the Philippines. I felt that we were able to show the other countries what is
cosplay like here in our country. Joining competitions like the RCC of AFA is really something I
could consider worthwhile and something to be proud off. Win or lose, it's okay.
HH - How was the AFA experience?
SR - It was awesome and fun. Despite the stress it was really fun.
You can't feel any tension or competetive-aura from the other participants. They were all so friendly and nice that it made the whole AFA experience really awesome. Meeting Kaname and Aira up close and personal was really awesome too. I got star-strucked!
HH - you guys had to compete against different countries. how did
feel for you? i mean, is it way different from the competition here?
SR - Well it was really different. You get nervous and all but since
the other participants are really nice, you'll get nervous on how you'll perform not really if you're gonna win or not. It's really different from here because, I feel its more
organized and they really do inspect the costumes from head to toe. I mean
Kaname and Aira checked every detail of our costumes. Kaname even checked if our make-up was appropriate for the character we're cosplaying.
HH - wow! even the make-up! they have a different set of standards
SR - yeah I think having Japanese judges like them added to the idea
of making sure your costumes must be accurate
HH - how long did it take you to prepare for AFA?
SR - around 2 months? Yes only 2 months. We had people like Pepz
Soltura and Andre Soltura to help us out in the armor. We got help from Kune's
friends Xandra Zapanta and Catherine De Jesus too.
HH - how difficult was it to cram such a jaw-dropping cosplay in a
very short span of 2 months?
SR - Very difficult, to the point we sacrificed sleep and I, myself
got really sick 1 week before AFA XD
HH - whoa! it's a good thing you got better before the event!
SR - Yes, I consider it a miracle
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
SR - My dream cosplay, Gundam Miku http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6848/3245199.jpg
actually I have a lot of dream cosplays but this is one I would want to see myself doing
HH - wow! it's very cute! that would be something to look forward to!
HH - how would you like to be remembered as in our industry?
SR - I would like to be remembered as someone who is friendly and is
willing to help out new cosplayers out there.
HH - who are your cosplay idols? local and international
SR - Locally: Jin Joson - Because she is awesome and I've been a fan
of her ever since her Kurama cosplay
Zhel Guiral from Davao - she is one of the best in Davao and she is very accurate in all of her cosplays
JM Chua - He's a veteran in our cosplay community and I've always been a fan ever since he started out in the community
Kynkyn - I fell in love with her D-Gray Man cosplay and I admire her passion in cosplay
Kune Delgado - Believe it or not I look up to her too because her skills are way to awesome
Lyron Aquino - I admire and idolize his craftsmanship
Internationally: KANAME - Yes, I find him astounding that he can cosplay girly-looking characters with ease.
Jesuke - She is just awesome. I find how awesome talent of being able to be in-character whenever she cosplays
Skye (Astellecia) - She is an epic Sheryl Nome cosplayer and
most of her costumes are so intricate and so detailed
Peggy (Wildmushrooms) - She is very friendly and cosplays are
just really awesome and accurate
Adelhaid (Russia) - I can't explain how epic she is. Most of her cosplays are so accurate she looks like the character itself
well those are a few, I have a lot of idols and all of them are
epic
HH - wow! i have to check these guys out too! ^_^
SR - yes please, they have deviantart accounts! Well, except for Kaname.
HH – will do!
HH - do you have any advice to our newbie cosplayers and to the ones planning on joining?
SR - For newbie cosplayers, my advice would be, choose the character
that would fit your personality, do a lot of research, practice posing like the character you want to cosplay in front of the mirror. Ask help from those who
are already in the industry for tips. If you're too shy to ask personally, you
can search for tips on youtube like tips on how to put on make-up, how to style
a wig etc. Yes, it takes a lot of practice and honing your skills. It will
take time, so don't rush. Practice is the key. As for those planning to join, I advise that you have to be really sure that you love cosplay and want to try it out. Jjust remember to have fun. Cosplay is all about having fun~
HH - do you have any shout outs to your friends and fans out there?
SR - To my friends and fans (if I have one hahaha) thank you for all
the support that you gave me. Let's do our best always~
Do drop by her DA account:
http://[email protected]
and her multiply account:
http://incorpus.multiply.com
check out her other sites too!
http://dexco.jehsil.net/
and
http://athame.jehsil.net/
She’s an individual who has a keen eye for detail in her costumes, a theatrical expert, and a very poignant cosplayer. Her devotion to the craft can be seen in all of her cosplays. Now, let me stall you no further, and let me share my simple interview with one so renowned. Enjoy!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
What’s your name?
SR – My name is Nepherteri Ramirez, but I prefer people to call me Sese J
How long have you been cosplaying?
SR – Let’s see, I’ve been cosplaying since 2006, so I’ve been cosplaying for 5 years now! J
HH – Wow! That’s pretty long! How do you see our local industry’s progression?
SR - At the moment, I can see that we are improving in terms of cosplay and there are a lot of new cosplayers around. Most of them are much younger than me. However, what I don't like about the current situation. is how other people view cosplay here. They think cosplayers / cosplay is equal to modelling or fashion, which is not.
HH - aha~~ but nowadays, there's more variety, right?
SR - yes there's more variety now. It’s good to see that cosplayers are cosplaying characters from games and manga. Before, you can only see cosplayers cos-ing from mainstream anime
HH - these days, there are some really big anime titles and people
can't seem to get enough of titles like bleach, naruto, and KHR. do you have any
plans on cosplaying characters from shonen jump?
SR - hmm actually I wanted to cosplay someone from Yuu Yuu Hakusho.
If you remember Sniper I would love to cosplay him
HH - oh! i've never seen anyone cosplay him ^_^ why choose sniper?
SR - one i find it sad that Sniper is such an underrated character when he’s so cool-looking and all! If I could find a group who is willing to cosplay sensui's group that would be awesome!
HH - what made you decide to enter cosplaying?
SR - Actually at first, I wasn’t really interested in it. Then my
friend persuaded me and after that, I got addicted. I think what made me decide
to be serious about cosplaying was that I could actually put some theater acting in it since I used to be a part of theatrical activities before. Also it honed my creativity and skills in make-up and wig
styling
HH - i see~ you were into theater or still?
SR – I did, before. But not anymore, I think I need to refresh my skills in
theater arts but for now, I just focus on cosplaying
HH - follow-up question: would you consider cosplay an art?
SR - yes, for me cosplay is an art. Cosplay shows the creativity in a person.
HH - what makes cosplay a worthwhile hobby?
SR - It's a worthwhile hobby for me because I was able to show that I
can be someone else and I can be accurate on it. It is worth it not because I
get attention or become famous by it. It’s worth it because I’m able to share
and show my creativity through it. Also I was able to make a lot of friends not only here but in other
countries too
HH - 2010, you are one half of team bajina. How did it feel to
represent the Philippines in such a prestigious cosplay event? Congratulations, by the way for such an awesome job! ^_^
SR - Thanks for that Well I felt really proud that we were able to
represent the Philippines. I felt that we were able to show the other countries what is
cosplay like here in our country. Joining competitions like the RCC of AFA is really something I
could consider worthwhile and something to be proud off. Win or lose, it's okay.
HH - How was the AFA experience?
SR - It was awesome and fun. Despite the stress it was really fun.
You can't feel any tension or competetive-aura from the other participants. They were all so friendly and nice that it made the whole AFA experience really awesome. Meeting Kaname and Aira up close and personal was really awesome too. I got star-strucked!
HH - you guys had to compete against different countries. how did
feel for you? i mean, is it way different from the competition here?
SR - Well it was really different. You get nervous and all but since
the other participants are really nice, you'll get nervous on how you'll perform not really if you're gonna win or not. It's really different from here because, I feel its more
organized and they really do inspect the costumes from head to toe. I mean
Kaname and Aira checked every detail of our costumes. Kaname even checked if our make-up was appropriate for the character we're cosplaying.
HH - wow! even the make-up! they have a different set of standards
SR - yeah I think having Japanese judges like them added to the idea
of making sure your costumes must be accurate
HH - how long did it take you to prepare for AFA?
SR - around 2 months? Yes only 2 months. We had people like Pepz
Soltura and Andre Soltura to help us out in the armor. We got help from Kune's
friends Xandra Zapanta and Catherine De Jesus too.
HH - how difficult was it to cram such a jaw-dropping cosplay in a
very short span of 2 months?
SR - Very difficult, to the point we sacrificed sleep and I, myself
got really sick 1 week before AFA XD
HH - whoa! it's a good thing you got better before the event!
SR - Yes, I consider it a miracle
HH - what is your dream cosplay?
SR - My dream cosplay, Gundam Miku http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6848/3245199.jpg
actually I have a lot of dream cosplays but this is one I would want to see myself doing
HH - wow! it's very cute! that would be something to look forward to!
HH - how would you like to be remembered as in our industry?
SR - I would like to be remembered as someone who is friendly and is
willing to help out new cosplayers out there.
HH - who are your cosplay idols? local and international
SR - Locally: Jin Joson - Because she is awesome and I've been a fan
of her ever since her Kurama cosplay
Zhel Guiral from Davao - she is one of the best in Davao and she is very accurate in all of her cosplays
JM Chua - He's a veteran in our cosplay community and I've always been a fan ever since he started out in the community
Kynkyn - I fell in love with her D-Gray Man cosplay and I admire her passion in cosplay
Kune Delgado - Believe it or not I look up to her too because her skills are way to awesome
Lyron Aquino - I admire and idolize his craftsmanship
Internationally: KANAME - Yes, I find him astounding that he can cosplay girly-looking characters with ease.
Jesuke - She is just awesome. I find how awesome talent of being able to be in-character whenever she cosplays
Skye (Astellecia) - She is an epic Sheryl Nome cosplayer and
most of her costumes are so intricate and so detailed
Peggy (Wildmushrooms) - She is very friendly and cosplays are
just really awesome and accurate
Adelhaid (Russia) - I can't explain how epic she is. Most of her cosplays are so accurate she looks like the character itself
well those are a few, I have a lot of idols and all of them are
epic
HH - wow! i have to check these guys out too! ^_^
SR - yes please, they have deviantart accounts! Well, except for Kaname.
HH – will do!
HH - do you have any advice to our newbie cosplayers and to the ones planning on joining?
SR - For newbie cosplayers, my advice would be, choose the character
that would fit your personality, do a lot of research, practice posing like the character you want to cosplay in front of the mirror. Ask help from those who
are already in the industry for tips. If you're too shy to ask personally, you
can search for tips on youtube like tips on how to put on make-up, how to style
a wig etc. Yes, it takes a lot of practice and honing your skills. It will
take time, so don't rush. Practice is the key. As for those planning to join, I advise that you have to be really sure that you love cosplay and want to try it out. Jjust remember to have fun. Cosplay is all about having fun~
HH - do you have any shout outs to your friends and fans out there?
SR - To my friends and fans (if I have one hahaha) thank you for all
the support that you gave me. Let's do our best always~
Do drop by her DA account:
http://[email protected]
and her multiply account:
http://incorpus.multiply.com
check out her other sites too!
http://dexco.jehsil.net/
and
http://athame.jehsil.net/