OTAKUFEST IV: Marching On!

Cosplayers, costrippers, hobbyists and photographers from all over Cebu gathered once again as the UP Cebu College successfully transformed its grounds into a battlefield of fun and creativity during the recently concluded “OtakuFest IV: Marching On!” last February 5, 2011.


from Otakufest official FB page

this year’s celebration boasted more awesomeness with their fresh line up of attractions aside from the annual Cosplay, DoTa, Photography and Original Character Design competitions. There was a Maid Cosplay Cafe dedicated to the ‘moe-moe’ fetishes, Jpop Dance Contest, Photobooth, mini 4WD race, and band performances. Enthusiasts also had the luxury of shopping cosplay goodies at the bazaar and pigging out at the food station.


Wigs were the most sought after items at the bazaar.. (photo by Regine Bacud)


because pretty maids dance during their coffee breaks! (photo by Alan Odulio)


Irrashaimase, goshujin-sama! Sipping afternoon tea at the Maid Cafe.. (photo by Alan Odulio)


Fortune telling with the Great Red Habagat, Philip Bawasanta! (photo by me)

for the past four years, Otakufest never fails to bring invigorating joys and memories to every Cebuano who attends the event. it’s the only time of the year where fellow junkies can share their passion and hobby to everybody without limits, meet new and old acquaintances, and a chance to switch lives with their favorite fictional characters.


(photo by me)

this year was one awesome Otakufest for me since i went there as a first time costripper, strutting my age-old black lolita dress. now i know why most of my cosplay friends call it addictive. the fun and satisfaction you feel whenever someone admires your costume is priceless! you forget all the hardships you went through in making the costume the moment someone calls you by your character’s name. everything was worth it!


(photo by John Diras)

and the best part of this event is meeting your longtime friends. every hobby convention feels like a reunion with my elementary classmates. though we live in the same city, we never had the chance to meet up because of conflicting schedules. except for Otakufest, Of course!


me and elementary classmate and fellow doodle junkie, Bubbles! we used to exchange drawings and pretend we’re cartoon super heroines back then.. ^^




Me and Sean-Kuun~! they were selling cosplay wigs.. you can check their site here!



DoTa pwners ivan, bennie, john, and richie with Bubbles of course! ^^

Otakufest isn’t merely a comical event, but a massive collaboration of aesthetic expression! Cheers to another successful one..

till next festival, gaizzz!!! <3

DIY: BLACK LOLITA BOOTS

last February 5 was my very first costrip experience at the Otakufest IV. 2 weeks prior to the event, i ransacked my closet and looked for the black lolita dress i have been keeping for 2 years now, and retouched a few accessories i made back in college. then i came to the dilemma of what shoes to wear. looked over the internet for some affordable lolita Maryjanes and boots but neither suit my budget.. XD my last option was raiding the Thrift stores around the city aka “Ukay-Ukay!”.. and eureka! i found just the perfect pair…. tadaa~



and since it looks really plain and boring, i made a little tweaking to this platform boots to make it more Lolita-ish! so if you guys also have a bunch of footwear you’d like to redesign, you can go over these steps and work your own fashionable piece.. here we go!

MATERIALS:

1. Ribbons- since my costume comprised mostly of black colors, i chose this bluish black scrap fabric i got from my mom, and sewed them to 6 pieces of ribbons, about 4x2 inches each.



2. Super Glue- using glue instead of sewing the ribbons on the boots saves you from all the hassles and needle pricks.. :D (you can use Mighty Bond or Bulldog.)



3. Straps- boot straps add accent to the footwear. i got these from my other pair of high-ankle boots.


4. Chains- silver chains for that spunky, kuro loli aura! XD

STEPS:

1. Wash and clean the boots. since this pair has a leathery, velvety texture, i had to spray on leather polish (Armor All or Glade Spray Polish) to smooth the surface before attaching the ribbons.

2. Determine where to position your ribbons. in my case, i placed 3 of them on the front part with equal distances of 2 inches. Start gluing from the bottom going upwards.. CAUTION: Super Glue has enormous sticking power!!! XD it could glue your fingers together and peel your skin off, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL.. ^^;



here’s how it looks after gluing the ribbons:



3. attach the boot straps. you need not glue them.. :)


4. followed by the silver chains. Ball chains are the only ones available when i did this but it’d look better if you use those with square or diamond shaped links.


and you’re done!! :))


ADDITIONAL TIPS:

*before revamping your own footwear, it’s better to make a concept/study on how you want your new shoes to look like. you can just remember it, or better yet sketch it.. :)

*make sure the shoes matches your outfit.

*to get that black or gothic lolita look for your shoes, you can also accentuate using laces, silk ribbons, white pearls, skulls, and cross pendants.

*let your imaginations fly. experimenting with colors and patterns also help..



/end

hello limelight!

Alodia Gosiengfiao, aka queen of philippine cosplay, one of the pioneers in this hobby, has joined showbiz!..

my personal opinion about this?!.. it’s an enormous jump for her career. her success is something all hobbyists would surely want to experience, and as a fangirl, im proud!.. :D

looking back some 6-7 years ago, she was just another cosplay finalist. then started championing every cosplay competitions. eventually became the ambassador for animax, kojiesan soap, pocky and more. and now, she’s pwning our televisions!

on another note, abscbn was way too lucky to get the almighty alodia on their team. they may have seen the high ratings that the cosplay and hobby industry would bring to their station once they have her, ‘cause reality check, this underground industry is growing big!.. not to mention alodia’s massive number of fans not just here in the country but in Asia as well.. O.0

and like any other kingdom in the world of gaming (and fantasy), once you get control of the royal highness’s, the whole nation bows down to your will.. harhar!

anyways, i’ll be watching this prank show of hers while crossing my fingers.. hoping she would never leave her royal throne in the realm of the geeks.. haha! ^^