Otaku Expo 2010

Otaku Expo 2010
Megatrade Halls - SM Megamall
24 January 2010


Short for "Costume Play," Cosplay has been one of the Japanese influences for this generation. In cosplays, people dress up like their choice of character, often times taken from Japanese Animation. On the other hand, Otaku means people with obsessive interests, especially in Anime (Japanese animation), games, or manga. Filipinos' love for cosplay has been widely accepted that several groups conduct their own gatherings to showcase this love.

Such is the Otaku Expo. Presented by OtakuZine, it was a two day event featuring different things associated with cosplay and otaku. Programs included swapping, art contests, auctions, singing contests, and drawing contests. It was also an event where guests can buy toys, cards, posters, DVDs, and costumes.




Alodia Gosengfiao. Probably the most famous Filipino cosplayer. Also a model, she gained popularity when she won in an event dressed as Gun Mage Rikku of FFX-2. She and her sister Ashley eventually graced the cover of Culture Clash Magazine, and the rest (as they say) is a history. For this event, she was dressed as a maid, because there was a Maid Cafe in the event, and she was one of the cafe staff. She was also a guest judge for the cosplay competition.

Speaking of cosplay, there were quite a lot of cosplayers for this event, but here are my top three favorites:






I didn't know if any of them won the contest, but apart from winning, these people participate in cosplays because of their love for the craft. Some people might criticize them for dressing as they are, but I do love cosplays - the amount of effort each of them gave in dressing up, looking as close as their chosen character, even acting like the character was something to look up to, actually.

This was the only cosplay I attended for 2010... hopefully there will be some scheduled this year, so I can attend, too.

*** Jenn ***

Manila Cathedral in Mono

Manila Cathedral
Cabildo cor Beaterio Streets
Intramuros, Manila
+63 (02)527-3093 / +63 (02)536-0192 (Fax)
16 January 2010

Pals at the forum had a small project that month - church architecture - and they set up an invitation for a photowalk, and since I still haven't gone to a photowalk and it was already mid month, I decided to tag along. Our meet up time and place was at the fountain in Lawton, around 6:30AM, but when I sent a text message asking them to wait for me, Markie answered that we can just meet up at the Manila Cathedral, because it was the first church stop. I then made my way to the cathedral, and since I got there earliest and there was no church service, people were allowed to roam around the church and take pictures.

I said my prayers first before I took pictures, and here were just a few of the many pictures I took:




Aisle. They were setting up for a wedding, hence the flowers and drapes.


Posts. Well, pals will take pictures of church architecture, might as well do my own version. :)


La Pieta. There were parts inside the church that had different exhibits, and in one room there was this replica of the Pieta. According to some articles, this one uses the same material as the one used by the original sculptor Michaelangelo.


Door Carvings. The main door of the cathedral has got to be the most interesting I have seen. It depicts different images of sadness and misery. This was just one of those.


Dome. This was taken at the back part of the cathedral. I got out just before the wedding started, and when I met up with my pals, we walked around and took pictures of this part of the cathedral.


Carlos Celdran. The one in blue is Carlos Celdran, my favorite Manila tour guide. I have attended one of his tours and it was really entertaining and full of information not taught in the classroom. He was just about to start his tour, and I took this picture just before the group take the calesa (horse drawn carriage). If you want to take one of his tours, you can check his website Walk This Way for the schedules.

All these pictures were originally taken in color and just processed in GIMP. I wasn't able to upload all pictures because my files were saved on DVDs, which was currently at my friend's place. I will edit this post as soon as I get the DVDs. Meanwhile, if you want to see my other post about this cathedral, you can check HERE.

After Manila Cathedral, we walked to San Agustin Church, then we made our way to Binondo Church. Stories from these places will be shared in the days to come.

*** Jenn ***