Here comes the Queen, the sexy soldiers, nostalgic sound and Victorian era.
When it's not Halloween and I see young people wearing superhero costumes or dressed up as Anime characters carrying huge, improvised weapons at the food court or just simply strolling within the mall premises, chances are, there is an ongoing convention - a toy convention.
I was right. The biggest annual gathering of toy collectors, cosplayers, and J-pop and Anime fanatics happened just recently at Megatrade Halls 1-3 in SM Megamall.
Goods being sold varied, which include action figures and busts from famous movies like Marvel and Star Wars; Japanese and Korean inspired dolls; apparel and accessories; comic books; and many others.
But Toycon was not set up for kids only. Grown-ups who attended may not just be into collecting toys that reminded them of their happy childhood memories. They may be eyeing on hot cosplayers as well.
The last day of the convention was also jam-packed.
Both experienced and first-time cosplayers displayed their elaborate costumes. Band groups showed their talents at the convention.
The Cosplay Queen
Alodia Gosiengfiao, the Cosplay Queen, was present at the toy convention to celebrate her 10th year anniversary as a cosplayer. She wore a long black gown with a horned headpiece - almost looking like another version of Maleficent on the last day of the convention.
People gathered around her booth just take a picture of her. Marshalls were there to stop the crowd from entering. However, one could get a fansign and selfie of her and her sister Ashley if a 500-peso worth of Alodia's merchandise was bought.
Ms. Mariglor, her mother, said that Alodia designed her black gown and the headpiece years before the movie Maleficent came out.
Even the stuff being sold at her booth were all designed by her - bags, t-shirts, and posters. Necklaces were made by Ashley.
Alodia had skillfully designed and created all of her weapons and costumes since she started cosplaying. She rose to fame after winning in a cosplay convention in 2003. Since then, she cosplayed different Anime, movie and video game characters with Ashley and got featured on magazines. She had endorsed several products on television as well.
When her schedule is busy, she collaborates with a couturier to tailor the costume she has designed.
Currently, Alodia has a two-year contract in Japan to do endorsements, recordings and collaboration with an apparel manufacturer. In August, she'll be having a fashion show to launch her teens apparel. She goes back and forth to Japan every two weeks.
Ashley, who used to cosplay, is currently into performing with her band Midnight Meetings. They'll be having an album launching very soon.
Cosplay Evolution
Nowadays, cosplayers dress up not only because of anime and manga fanaticism. Portraying the characters of Playstation games, action figures and trending Japanese fashion could also catch attention.
Some female cosplayers wear as little clothing as possible, depicting their fave Anime or video game badass characters.
This year's group cosplay winner was the Hyper Dimension Neptunia group composed of three members - Black Heart, Nepgear and a yellow villain. When I asked why they chose the popular Playstation 3 game characters for cosplay, Kristine Joy (dressed up as Black Heart) said, "Sa tingin kasi namin, astig siya, hindi pa siya common na nako-cosplay... ang pangit naman kasi kapag parang may kaparehas ka na gumagala din."
While some are willing to spend money just to perfect their costumes, others used their resourcefulness and creativity just to be able produce elaborate and highly fashionable attire.
Couples Galileo and Jinky bought their coats and cutsews from an ukay-ukay store while their accessories were either owned or bought at a minimal price. Jinky used her creativity by sewing laces to her skirt and bag. Galileo had to dye his hair to match the plastic red rose he brought with him.
And voila! They had become the Lolita fashion cosplayers for the first time.
Lolita fashion is a trending Japanese street fashion inspired by the Rococo and Victorian-era clothing.
Shinkan Band
Toycon wouldn't be livelier without a band performance.
Shinkan, an amateur band group of five members brought so much nostalgia to the crowd of toy enthusiasts and Anime fanatics when they performed Yuzurenai Negai, the opening theme song of a popular Anime series, Magic Knight Rayearth.
An electrifying rush of the 90's child memories were felt by those who have heard it, awakening their enthusiasm. Some went jumping to the beat of the nostalgic music.
The band was led by its vocalist, Ivy. Other members include guitarists Marlowe, Jolo and Icel, and drummer Kajo. Last year, they have won awards at the Best of Anime and Ozine Fest.
With all these facets, Toycon can be described too as a gathering of performance artists - cosplayers and musicians. Before the year ends, there will be another toy convention. Fun for the kids and kids-at-heart never stops here.
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