Halloween in Hong Kong

One of the major buzz in the cosplay scence right now is the photo contest by Animax Asia. Animax Asia is giving 3 lucky cosplayers from across South East Asia the chance to fly to Hong Kong and be part of it's Halloween festivities together with Cosplay Queen Alodia and famous otaku blogger Danny Choo. Gah! would've loved to join but judging from the entries... *phew* I'll just be content to vote for my friends and hope you guys could show support for them as well. Why not check out and see if you've any favourites in the entries so far. So many good ones to choose from.

So anyway these are the mechanics (as taken from Animax's page):

Wanna meet Ani-Mate Alodia and blogger extraordinaire Danny Choo in Hong Kong? Send in your best cosplay photo to win!

Instructions: 

• Simply submit a snazzy photo of yourself cosplaying and you might find yourself on your way to Hong Kong* to attend the Hong Kong Halloween Treats party on Oct 17 with Danny & Alodia.* Terms and conditions apply. Includes airfare and accomodation. A total of 3 winners will be chosen
• Submission of photos ends 24th September
• Viewers' voting starts from 25th September - 6 October

CONTEST DETAILS can be found at: http://animax-asia.com/ugc/image/hktb-halloween-treats/

Halloween in Hong Kong made me reminisce my first Hong Kong experience.

It was with my sisters in 2007. It was our first trip together and that in itself was one of the best deals we could get out of the trip. What we didn't realize was that we left for Hong Kong in time for Halloween - which is only one of my favourite festive holiday. The moment we landed in Hong Kong we were already so giddy and excited. Nevermind that we may have lacked some sleep. It was an adventure trying to get from the airport to our hotel. Good thing the commuting system in Hong Kong is so efficient we got to where we should be going in no time and hassle-free. Finding somewhere to eat our first dinner in the area near our hotel wasn't hard either. We just followed the golden arches ;-)

Visiting the sights and sound of Hong Kong was incredibly fascinating. Every corner had something of interest to see and check out. 

I especially loved the shopping experience - I never shy away from shopping. Not when you have so many options and bargains to look out for. Hong Kong did not disappoint. There were so much things to go crazy over, like a store full of Panda-things ??? I was floored!!! 

And since it was Halloween there was an abundance of  the small  and big oddities that I have a penchant for.

There was an alley where we kept going back to because it had so many cool stuffs on display. Mostly costumes and props, the typical things one would find and use for a Halloween and costume party. Back then I wasn't into the cosplay scene yet. But I loved costumes and dressing up. Going around the alley shops I chanced upon something I have been dying to get for myself for awhile now. Black Wings! I never really knew for what real purpose did I want them for - but I didn't need a lot of persuasion since I've already convinced myself long ago that owning a pair of black wings would just be awesome. So after another short visit to the alley shops, I went home proud owner of a pair of black wings.

That was in 2007. I never got to use the wings since I bought it until... 2009. Yes, after two years of a somewhat impulse shopping in Hong Kong I finally had the perfect time to use the wings. In my first cosplay version of one of my most fave comic book characters of all time. Death of the endless. It was the perfect time and occasion. This cosplay would always be one of my favourite.

One of the fun stories to tell to people when they ask me about my black wings, is that I bought it on impulse in Hong Kong and it took 2 years before I can actually use it. And that when I did, it was for one of my personal favourite cosplays.

I wouldn't mind going back, who knows what other interesting finds I may take home with me.

Cosplay: ToyCon 2010 Aftermath

SO the biggest convention (geek-wise) in the Philippines just happened. Last weekend, June 19-20 2010 SM Megamall's Megatrade Hall's 2 & 3 were filled with con-goes, cosplayers, geeks and collectors from all over the country. Seriously, I've already read about other people coming in for the event from as far as non-Luzon places such as Davao, Bacolod and of course me and my friends from Cebu. The place was so jam-packed that some of the people need not bother going into the convention halls as some of the cosplayers were parked right outside. But the Toys and collectibles inside the conference were also worth seeing and so were the merchandise! Tons and tons of it!

So much was going on that we were getting dizzy just figuring out what was happening. One minute I find my friends and then lose them to their fans or photographers. In the end I spent my time going around with my sisters and just looking at the cool exhibits, merchandises, program on stage (when we could) and look on and take photos of some of the awesome cosplayers.

My Cosplays for this event were of Rogue, my favourite X-Men. On Day 1, I re-used my Rogue - Evolution series cosplay [link]. I decided to use this as a prelude to my Day 2 cosplay; my Uncanny Rogue. The classic Rogue that we (X-Men fanatics) know and love hehehehe. Toycon 2010 would be this cosplay's début since I was gonna be with The X-Men cosplay group. Another first for me! I was very much happy and honoured that I was asked to be part of this group back in March (2010). I was a bit worried with the costume though as this was the first time I made something like it and it did give me a lot of headache trying to figure it out. It was also the first project I used my new sewing machine on. So I ended up doing a lot of adjustments. But nonetheless I made it to Day 2 of ToyCon, wearing my new Rogue Uncanny version. I must admit I need to improve a lot on this costume and myself as a cosplayer. But the experience to be with fellow X-Men cosplayers was amazing ^_^ (I'll post more photos soon) 

photo from http://www.philanime.com

Speaking of X-Men, my sister Zee and I went totally gaga over the many comic titles to be found everywhere in ToyCon and so many of them were sold really cheap!! It was just crazy! I wish I had more money to buy more! But alas these were all that we ended up hoarding. In one stall I bought every single Gambit title I could find - I've already read all these before but I just really wanted my own collection... so yeah. The next day as we started browsing again, Zee got a hold of 2 Emma Frosts and snatched it up.

I regret not buying the Elektra/Wolverine: The Redeemer (Hardbound) Illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano .

I wanna cry! T_T . It was discounted! And dammit I don't know why I just did not buy it right there and then.

Among other interesting things that happened was seeing again the friends I made in the cosplay community of Manila, Like Monique and Hye (hello girls!) and also Kia with whom I got to share the stage with as the X-Men, and of course the X-Men team PLUS met again some people from the dollfie community (Hi! Tin ^_^). But one of the people I happen to bump into in the ladies room of all places was Jan ! A Fil-American cosplayer and deviant I've been following and who was in the Philippines at the time. I didn't see her in her amazing Bayonetta cosplay but I was glad to have met her in person. Talk about lucky!

The HIGHLIGHT of my ToyCon 2010 experience? Meeting the Tuxedo Team! Although this was the second time for me to see Jin & Kat, It was my first time to see them in cosplay and with Miguel as THE TEAM! I was super excited. We managed to bump into them twice during the day. The second instance was more relaxed and I even got to remind Jin of our first meeting (I should blog about it!) at Etude House, which she promptly remembered and told Kat about it and she too remembered. I was calm about it at first but the moment I turned my back to leave I was dumbstruck and close to tears!!! They're truly amazing and will always be number one cosplayers for me.

THANK YOU TUXEDO TEAM!

'til next time ^_^

ToyCon 2010 Coming Up!

I'll be in Manila again! Attending the ToyCon weekend with friends from Cebu and new friends I've met in Manila. This is pretty exciting and nerve-wracking for me as this will be the first time that I'll be part of a cosplay group. Which group? That, remains to be seen! I'm not one to spill the beans about my cosplays because I jinx myself all too often when I do. So fingers crossed, I hope all will go smoothly on June 19 and 20. SM Megamall Megatrade Hall. See you there.

for more info check the official site: http://toyconph.com/blog/2010/06/07/9th-philippine-toy-con-2010-official-event-poster/

Also one of the highlights of the Toycon weekend will be the Otacool Booksigning by the 4 Filipinas who got into the compilation of worldwide cosplayers published by Kotobukiya. Among them fellow Cebuana cosplayer Jessica Ouano, The famous Gosiengfiao sisters, Alodia and Ashley and the remarkably beautiful Geisha cosplayer, Monique Dimanlig. I'd love to see them again, but I doubt I can get a book signed. The books beyond my budget really.

In the mean time I'm stressing myself out because I'm still working on my costume and I need it to be done by this Saturday!!! gaaaahd!!

Dance and Cosplay this weekend (updated)

2 of my favorite things happening this weekend.

Me and a bunch of good friends registered yesterday for the Hip Hop Mania workshop happening in Ayala's Active Zone on May 30 and 31. Apart from the workshop we will also challenge ourselves to the Hip Hop marathon which will happen afterwards. I miss dancing and this will be the perfect time to bond with my dancing buddies again. Time to stretch!!

Details for those who wish to register:
Professional registration fee: PHP150.00
- Day 1 (May 30, 2010)
- 3-4:30pm

Students registration fee: PHP75.00
- Day 2 (May 31, 2010)
- 3-4:30pm

Marathon registration fee: PHP100.00 - There will be prizes for the grand winner and 1st runner-up of the marathon plus trophies and gift certificate.
- Day 1 & 2
- 5-7pm

There will also be Hip Hop Dance Competition on Day 2 (May 31, 2010) for dance crews out there with 6-8 Members. Registration fee is at PHP500.00 per group. Cash prize of PHP10,000 and a trophy is at stake!

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In other news

Tomorrow is Cosplay: CCC's Distant Stars...
Talamban Leisure Center (TLC)
May 29, 2010 10am-6pm

Might be going to check out Cebu Cosplayer's Club's event tomorrow. I haven't been to one of their events before, but with the growing cosplay community here in Cebu might as well check it out and see people. I won't be cosplaying though as I didn't prepare anything (since I'm busy working on another project ^_~).

see yeah!
Rafi

Pink Gothic Alice at a Tea Party

Since I've been in Manila I've had a couple of events scheduled to attend to or organize. Amusing enough I find the time to inject all possible interests of mine into this Summer in Manila. 

Now Summer in Manila also means a lot of Cosplay Conventions happening and so before leaving Cebu, planning my trip, I carefully considered and packed three of my favourite cosplays. Just considering the possibility of  checking out the conventions and immerse myself among Manila cosplayers and the conventions held here. Last year I have been to 2 out of the many conventions slated for the first quarter of 2009. They were Ozinefest 2009 and Shizen Orchestra and for a newbie in the local scene I was overwhelmed and was quite happy with the experience. Never had I imagined that it will only get better this time around.

I've only been here for less than a month and I have already used 2 of my outifts from attending cosplay events. They weren't really conventions and one of them was unexpected. The first one on my list was the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party organized by Power Plant Mall in time for the release of the movie and the launch of their 3D cinema. This event was also promoted and participated by Filipina Cosplay Queen Alodia Gosiengfiao as the White Queen, her sister Ashley as Alice and Faus Ontengco as The Mad Hatter. I chanced upon the event on Facebook and seeing that it'll happen just about the time I arrive in the city, why not go? So instead of just 2 cosplays I had initially planned on packing, I added my Pink Gothic Alice in the suitcase.

I love this cosplay first and foremost because it was inspired from a photoshoot Amy Lee of Evanescence has done. Her version of Alice. Now I'm not a fan of the color but a big fan of Amy Lee and Evanescence so I didn't mind this at all. In fact I didn't mind slaving over the entire outfit and creating most of it from scratch. It was the first baby doll dress I created and although it could use some further adjustments and alterations, I'm proud of it just the same.

(first 2 photos are by Zee, photo collage: Amy Lee's taken from her official website and the one of mine and group photo below  is by Ana Mapiscay)

I first wore this to Satin Eclipse, the Halloween Cosplay event in Cebu by CANE Events (October 31, 2009). Little kids thought I was this pink life-size doll or something but most kids were fascinated. I didn't have the streaky mascara tear make up on then for lack of time so I guess I wasn't as creepy as I had imagined.

OK back to the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party! It was held at the Archaeology Wing at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City, during the weekend of Tim Burton's film release. I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it wasn't a convention, so I just planned on showing up and hopefully take good photos, mingle with cosplayers and hope to make new friends and maybe even possibly see Alodia up close. I arrived later than when the event started so I was just looking in on the Tea Party and taking photos from the sideline, because I actually didn't understand what the arrangement was. But since the event was kinda intimate in the sense that there wasn't that big of a crowd, I could take photos of the cosplayers around the Tea Party table with not much of  a problem except for the occasional people getting in my way. At one point Alodia looks my way and seeing me she asked me to join the table for the group shot. I was gobsmacked to say the least. Because of that I was able to have a proper photo taken with the cast and I would like to thank Homer Medici -my former Fine Arts classmate for my photos (also Navz for not only accompanying me to the event but take photos for me as well).

I especially love my solo shot with Ferdie, my DSLR, and if you look closely in the background you can Navz. All in all I was glad I went. I had fun and met some amazing people. I love cosplay!

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Ok the next event I went to shall be a different post, coz this one's long enough :)

Seifuku Done!

Enma Ai's Seifuku Outfit - One of my October projects done and made it's first appearance last Saturday (october 24, 2009) at ARCHON 2009, Ayala Center Cebu!

Had I worked on the costume non-stop I probably would've finished it in 3 days, accessories included. But since I had to break it down around my schedule, I finished the entire ensemble in a little over a week.

The sailor collar was the very first piece I made, because at that time I thought that if I will never get the entire seifuku tailored somewhere, I could just attach it to any of my long sleeved black tops and assemble something to look like a seifuku. When I got so engrossed sewing the thing (by hand mind you) the thought of "What if... I sew the entire seifuku myself". I thought I could pull it off and I love sewing, so why not indeed. (Bapan approves)

I had to recall my high school Home Economics class, use my common sense in dressmaking and construction to come up with patterns and the final cut. Of course, this was not without mistakes and needle punctured fingers!! 

For my skirt, I used one I already had and just adjusted the design by changing the shearings into pleats - hurrah for less work!

I was looking for material for my straw doll when I stumbled upon this in a arts & craft shop, I was sold. It had my name on it (though with an extra F):

then:

AND VOILA! Finished product: (I grabbed this photo from Maik Logarta on FB ^_^) with fellow cosplayers Al and Milezy + Frenchi. I'm Happy ^_^

Profiles: rafia on deviantART

http://rafia.deviantart.com

I just recently breathed life into this account again and uploaded some stuffs instead of just lurking around DA :)