Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

Photo by Michael Sinjin Pineda

As more and more Cebuanos got hooked up with animes, mangas, online games, and got enamored with the highly popular Japanese culture, the rise of this what we called cosplayers made an impression in Cebu’s lifestyle scene.

From the very first cosplay event (Otaku Fest 1.0) to the recently held Ai “Love”, we can really tell that cosplaying has gone a long way and already became a part of the lifestyle of several Cebuanos.

Cosplaying definitely is very popular in Manila and outside the country but it became more prominent here in Cebu after the very first Otaku Festival held last 2008.  The crowd (who are commonly teens and young adults) realized that cosplaying is an alternative opportunity to express their love and admiration to those anime and game characters they idolize.

But, what is really the impact of cosplaying here in Cebu?  Is this just a mere showing off of extravagant costumes and who is the prettiest or handsomest cosplayer?  Definitely NO.

Cosplaying helps the booming of local tourism in Cebu City.  Cebuanos are fascinated by these Otakus who are wearing costumes they only see on TV.  Instead of staying at home, more and more people find time to go to the mall if there is an announced cosplay event.  Some are even willing to pay entrance fees just to witness and meet their favorite cosplayers.  And of course, they don’t go home empty handed (not literally).  They will just log in to their Facebook account, and viola!  Photos of them with their favorite cosplayers are already uploaded.  Cosplayers become instant celebrities and they are the instant “victimized” fanatics. (Can I LOL?)

From the people who brought us HOBCON (June 2009) and Satin Eclipse (November 2009), here’s another cosplay and fashion event that would surely captivate the hearts of all cosplay and anime fanatics here in Cebu: Cane Events’ Ai”Love”. This is your opportunity to celebrate this month of the hearts thru cosplaying and and fashion show.

Ai “Love” will be held in Parkmall, Mandaue, Cebu this 21st of February.  Gather your fellow cosplay fantatics now and join the fun.  Click here to check the cosplay competition guidelines, or visit Cane Events for more details.

After the successful First Otaku Festival held at UP Cebu grounds last February of 2008, here comes another round of event for local anime and manga lovers. The OTAKU FEST 2.0! “THE SAGA CONTINUES!”

This festival will be held at the same venue this 13th of December 2008 from 1pm to 9pm. There will be on-the-spot poster making contest, logo making competition, digital photography, dance competition, cosplay, DOTA, and a lot, lot more. The registration time for contestants will be from 12:30 to 1:00pm.

Please check this link for the tentative program flow. You can also contact upotaku@gmail.com or 09064656752 for further details and inquiries.[/mwrap]

Photo Credits: UP Otaku

Whew! Whew! Whewww! Last Saturday was the very first Otaku Festival held here in Cebu. I had a great time taking photos, watching anime shows, checking anime drawing contest, autograph signing with the local artist (with a “semi-hentai” souvenir…of course…ahehehe), watching dota enthusiasts competing with each other (dota tournament), and of course the bloody cosplay contest…plus the cool crowd (composed of otakus (ahehehe…), photographers, and a lot, lot more weirdos), plus cool bands (which i missed because i went home earlier than expected…ahehehe). Here is a snapshot I took…please just bear with my low res photo from my digicam (it’s a phonecam actually).