Alright, I have talked to enough people to know that cosplay is competetive in the Philippines. I find that really odd, coming from a mentality that is non-competetive. Here in the US, we cosplay for fun. Barely anyone cares about getting a medal, or a prize, our best prize? Compliments from our peers, picture opportunities and the respect of the cosplaying/ anime convention community.

Doh. Even Zach, who has won multiple awards, agree.

So, I ask you these: WHY DO YOU COSPLAY? Is it for prize? Is it for money? Is it for attention? Fame?

What is considered a cosplayer?

I should answer this question myself. Because I could not cosplay, if I didn't know my own answers to these.

I cosplay because I want to challenge myself to be creative and create a persona other than my own. I cosplay also because it is fun, it is a great hobby, and I feel accomplished whenever I do it. There is nothing like a cosplay high! I also cosplay because I feel free whenever I do- It always brings me back to my friends.

Cosplayers are those who are willing to take an effort to create a persona ( anime character, game, etc) and make it their own. They are the people who make costumes and wear them - who get in character and stay in character. Those who give themselves to the craft and freely, allows themselves to be criticized and praised by their peers.

How about you guys? what do you think?

It's the passion...

not because of the prizes.....

I want 2 show to them this is what I Love to do...

I'm a cosplayer bcoz this is want i want to be...to be called a cosplayer...

Feelings: mixed, it is a great feeling knowing that people appreciate our trends/costumes....

I agree with jikury22. It's the passion, yes, competition is a part of it, but for first time cosplayers, what they crave is the experience. It's the simple joy of being your fave anime character even just for a day.

You couldn't be called a cosplayer unless you put your heart on it. You cosplay because it's your passion, not just for the attention. Yes, maybe fame, but fame of doing what you really wanna do.

That's what I want to hear. There is a certain pride in what we cosplayers do.

simply for fun ;)

I cosplay because as a theatre actor, being in cosplay and walking around in a large area in it and not saying any scripted words is like truly awe-inspiring.


I get the same high like when I'm acting a lead role in a play.

I cosplay because to me, it's an expression of my passion for anime and games through art.

Plus... sobrang saya mag-cosplay! :lol:

Well, from what I gather from posts and a the general feeling I get from Filipino Cosplayers is that there are cliques and elitism. Sorry, but I have to say it. These are general observations I have from watching the 2 main filipino cosplay forums.

This is a free forum right? I can have my soap box right?

1. A lot of the better cosplayers of the Philippines think highly of themselves. a bit too highly sometimes. Sure, there is a sense of pride that goes with our handiwork ,but some people think that they control the minds of the cosplaying community. And it is wrong.

2. Cosplaying is not a popularity contest. Some people have FAN CLUBS, that amuse me to a certain extent but in the end irks me . ( my personal choice and opinion so dont shoot me) because, each person who cosplays does their best and they deserve their own bit in the spotlight. Not just the chosen few. Appreciate another's costume? sure... but dont patronize them theyre not gods.

3. Oh, goodness. I dont think you guys are ready for the international scene yet. You still have yet to grow out of the fear of skin exposition and of original characters. So, please push harder to break out of that young Cosplaying shell! with all your talents you'll rock.

4. NO PROFESSIONAL SEAMSTRESSES. >.> it annoys me to know that cosplayers there think that they are cosplayers when they have their costumes made or commissioned. FRANKLY, thats cheating.. the creation process is the most important part of cosplaying - wearing it is just the icing on the cake!

I do must point about the popularity part. I don't think cosplay's intention was to recreate or open up the old wounds known as "that high school feeling" where superiority to others was needed in order to roam the halls.

its the passion, creativity and challenge that keeps me coming back for more. And ever since I was a small kid, I remember I did enjoy dressing up alot (I remember my mom got us super hero costume/pjs that we would wear around the house just because we can) and yes, just like what Marikit said; to create or be someone other than yourself. Its almost like another form of acting :D and basically, I learn something everday simply by cosplaying.

and yes, this is a free forum diba? and if so, then we all have the right to free speech naman and with that inmind, I agree with Marikit. As much as I love Pinoy Cosplayers, there is still a huge boundary to be crossed from the reserved Pinoy Cosplayers to the more bolder international cosplayers.

I usually dont mind commissioned work but if someone keeps getting their costumes commissioned for them (after how many years of cosplaying?) I think its time they sit down and experiment with their own sewing machine or needle. I personally cannot say I have the best costumes in the world but I am proud to say that I sew them. No matter how crappy they are :lol:

I cosplay for the same reason people write semiautobiographical fanfiction. I cosplay characters who reflect various aspects of my personality. I find anime and gaming provide the diversity of characters required for that.

Akio Ohtori was a Chairman at 26. I was a COO at 26.

Sensui Shinobu worked to stage a big war with demons. I was marketing officer of Rama at Sita, a big stage play about a war with demons.

K' is a neogenetic rebel. I undermine traditional authority with modern ideas.

Robert Garcia is a cocky bastard who'll fight for his girl. You figure that one out. ;)

Heh, i started to cosplay out of sheer interest and.. uhh.. curiosity. ^_^

I continued because of my passion. Plus side na lang din para sa akin kung may prizes pa na makukuha..

It's like diving into the blue, with a full heart and without a care of the consequences

@marikit: you do show a good point in those 4 statements. And i'd like to agree with those. But then again, different people have different points of view ^_^. True, there will always be elitism and bragging here and there, and also True, that our "conservative" side also influences our cosplaying. Yeah, there is still more improvements to go...XD hehe

and i like your siggie. who were you cosplaying there? ^_^

@sir mike: woah, nag K' ka din pala...

Why I cosplay?

Because I have passion for this thing. Not just a simple hobby.

It allows me to be more creative and imaginative.
It also allows me to represent my interest.

hmm.. for me i guess im just tired of being a spectator.. wengK! joke..

ako for fun..
to gain more friends..
cguro abit of fame kasama na dun..
pero basta akoy nagagalak at ako'y nagcosplay!



basta masaya...




suportahan taka...

well sakin nagcosplay ako pra mawala ung stage fright ko
at gumana ung experiment un lng ang draw-back na adek ako
pero dami ko nakilala mga new frens
kaya un nand2 na rin lng ako 2loy ko na

me 3 risOnsz Lang y em hir and y i do disz "cosPlaYing"..

3)eXpReSz mySeLf kC... xObwanG adiK aKu Xa aNime...
(bKt cNo b Hnde?!!) aheheheheh...
2)wiDen My cirCLe oF fwenDsz...
(medJo LonEr kCe aQ e.. at mDaLas nire2JecT ng mGa piPoL..(T_T)
at ang pinaka...
1).... mei hinaHanaP aKonG taO...
nkita Ko xa S gaMOL... unG cosPlay don Last yEar.. dec.28 b uN???
Sna mhanaP Q n sya?!!!

Hmmm.. Ung nO.1...
naHanap Ko na Sya?!!!
ahahahah LOLz?!!!

For fun, and simply because i want to!!!

who cares if i lose, as long as we have..... FUN~!!!!


MUHAHAHAHAHAHA~!!!!

i cosplay to express the true me and to escape reality that life sucks!!!

I cosplay because

* I LOVE dressing up
* I the challenge it gives me , you know, Do-it-yourself-if-you-can stuff.
* I miss the theater...cosplaying is very much like acting.