AFA09 Day 1, Cosplay Judge Kaname's thoughts!

I'd like to apologize for not being able to update often during our stay in Singapore. That is because our room did not have free internet. It would cost us about 20USD extra per day for just for internet access. I think it is pretty expensive and since we are out almost the whole time, we wouldn't be able to make much use of it.

Anyhow, just arrived back from Singapore yesterday. Still tired, actually. Before the trip, we didn't get much sleep other than quick naps during the flight and the ride back to our house. Nonetheless, tried to edit a few photos and videos I found in my cameras so you guys could have a peek of what had happened over the weekend.

AFA09 Day 1

(Full Album here!)

My entry would only be tackling stuff that we experienced - basically, the cosplay competition itself. If you want more extensive entries about the whole convention on the first day, you may find links to those blog entries at the end of this journal.

Moving along, the AFA Regional Cosplay Championships was the first international cosplay competition we joined. It is really an honor to be able to represent our country, the Philippines, and we tried our very best. I'm just glad that no one got injured after their performance. That's the only thing I was worried about because the stage was very very veryyyyy high! at least 10 feet from the ground.



We went to the convention in "casual" clothes because it would be hard if we wore the WitchBlade suits in the cab. But to lessen the things we had to do at the con, we woke up at around 7:30am to do our make-up and hair. It took me a while to do the monster make-up because I had to make sure it wouldn't smudge off if we get perspired or what not.

For the purple face paint, I used "Shu Uemura" violet cream eye make-up. And topped it off with "In-2-it" purple shimmer eyeshadow. Even if I rub it off with my bare hands, or even with tissue and water, it won't smudge off! Success! XD

Oh btw, I used 2 wigs. One long and one short The longer one was originally white so I had to airbrush it with gray and brown ink to make it have a warmer and darker tone. Basically, to match the shorter wig. Did this all back at home. :3


Just keep walking...walking...walking! BlackMageAlodia, orangeish and our AFA helper, Joe !

Finally, we arrived at the dressing room and something funny happened. Orochi, from Team Indonesia, was pointing at me and asking pinkyluxun who I was. Haha! She did not recognize me during monster-mode. Huhuhu!



While fixing a few things, I checked up on the tank outside only to find out that someone I didn't expect was waiting beside it. It was Danny Choo!

TEARS! I seriously could've melted on the spot. Hahaha! Funny 'coz the Animax team was there and saw how "fan-girlish" I might have reacted and told us to do it all over again for the camera~ HAHAHA! So yup, we did it again!


Here, I was explaining to Danny how thebrambear and I worked on our tank! We basically used rubber sheets for it.


I was still starstruck! Hohoho! Anyway, we were able to bring the tank and our weapons with us on the plane as extra luggage.


After that, we walked around together just admiring stuff around the convention...while Animax was filming us..o.o

But we had to cut it short because we had to be done and ready for the competition by 11:30am. Had to dress up and help Ashley orangeish with her face paint too. I used "In-2-it" blue glittery liquid eyeliner on her.


WitchBlade VS. Danny! KO!!!
This was taken at the backstage while waiting for the program to start.


BlackMageAlodia, cosplay judge Kaname, orangeish and Danny!


Power Up!!


Striking a few poses before getting burned out on stage.


This is Team Indonesia - Orochi (left) and Pinky pinkyluxun (middle)! They were the first pair we met in Singapore but even before that we already knew each other here on DeviantArt. Awww! I really love these guys!!! Thank you, Pinky pinkyluxun and Orochi, for the lovely gifts!^____^

I didn't really notice the time because we were all watch-free and cellphone-free. But anyway, the competition started around 1pm.

1)

Team Singapore 1 Video _{(Video by hexlord)}

First team was the Singapore Team, Maria and Yuanie! They cosplayed as characters from Sakura Taisen~


2)

Team Malaysia Video _{(Video by hexlord)}

Masako and Sizer from Team Malaysia was next, cosplaying characters from Code Geass. Their skit was funny! They said that since Masako was working in a radio station, they were able to have their music professionally recorded with real voice actors! Coolies!


3)

Team Indonesia Video _{(Video by hexlord)}

Third team was Team Indonesia, Pinky pinkyluxun and Orochi, as characters from the game Lineage II! They were awesome! Their costumes and the fight scene! *hugs to these guys* I love you, Pinky pinkyluxun and Orochi! Their costumes are made out of paper, btw! Sizer kept calling Orochi "disco ball" because of how shiny s/he was! And they called me "disco lights". LOL!


4)

Team Singapore 2 Video _{(Video by hexlord)}

Next up was the 2nd team from Singapore, Gundam 00, cosplayed by Clive and Caroline! The mecha costume is really well-done! I touched it backstage! Haha, couldn't help myself! I thought that the falling apart of the costume was part of the skit, but it wasn't! But it was actually really clever of Clive to make it look like it was intended! *claps*


5)

Team Thailand Video _{(Video by hexlord)}

DK and Yolk from Team Thailand were next. Houshin Engi. I felt bad when I heard that one of their props was held up in customs at the airport because it was made out of metal. It was an actual police baton. But anyhow, they still looked great with their plushie mounts!


6)

Team Philippines Video w/ interview~ <sub>(Video by hexlord)

(Photo by cousin Noel Gosiengfiao)</sub>
And last but not least was Team Philippines! orangeish Ashley and I cosplayed WitchBlade! Yay! Btw, thebrambear and I made the tank. And it was moved by Ashley herself! Some of those who weren't at AFA thought that we had a 3rd person but that is not possible~ Anyway, our stuff lit up on the 2nd half of the skit. I'm just happy that everything went according to how we practiced it!^w^ Just so you guys know, doing stunts and moving around seem pretty easy...not if you're wearing 4-inch heels and tons of stuff! Hahaha! No worries~ We tried our best~


Another video _{(Video by zerartul)}


ICANHAZCHEEZEBURGER! Caption please?


A quick interview after our performance~


We have the weirdest expressions~ o.o

Not long after the performances were done, the winners were announced. All of the participants were given a certificate and a hug by Kaname. Hohoho!


AFA 2009 Awarding of Cosplay Winners

Congratulations to the Singapore Team - Gundam 00 - Clive and Caroline for winning both awards, "Best Costume" and "Grand Prize"! I can say that their costume is very well crafted meaning it was pieced together very neatly. It actually looks like a moving figurine...but life size! Props to that!

Interviews came after the awarding. Animax and several other publications, printed and online~

One of the funniest questions I remembered being asked was "Do you do acrobatics?" LOL But I said that I was retired cheerleader/dancer. XD

After that we opted to change because our shoes were killing us! We were in so much physical pain, haha! But still..smile smile! XD


This was on our way to the dressing room so we could change to more comfortable outfits and rest a bit.

We were supposed to call it a day but then I bumped into Danny! *gasp* And he offered to give me another tour. But this time of the Tokyo Figure Show at the OTACOOL/Kotobukiya booth!




Peasu-desu!


Woops, we kinda got stuck in front of the booth~D:


But thanks to Danny who told the photographers to come back later, we were able to continue on with the tour!


Picsu-time!


Con-goers were also given the chance to play Jak-en-Pon with me and Danny. The winner got a Mirai-chan shirt! *envies*

After the game, we decided to go back to the hotel to rest up for the next day! Ashley orangeish and I BlackMageAlodia went as the Suenaga sisters on Day 2 for the signing at the OTACOOL booth~


I was amazed by the number of escalators in this building. They kinda looked intertwined. Anyway, this is one floor where cosplayers and photographers gathered. It's like a pool where one can happily jump in and join the crowd. No entrance fees or security, etc.


The building's lobby! This is where more "normal" people hang out. Just kidding! The cosplayers hung out upstairs.

The next day, cosplay judge Kaname suddenly called and invited all the cosplayers over for lunch so that he could say what he felt about the competition. It was pretty sudden because AFA helper, Joe, called us up when we were still asleep. Hahaha! Same scenario with the Malaysian team! XD



Watch the videos here.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Full Transcript of the video:
============================================
<sub>(VIDEO 1 of 3)
Sorry to take up so much of your time.

I gathered you all here because there is something I want to tell you all.

He enjoyed the cosplay competition yesterday

Today, he will talk to you about what he truly feels about yesterday's competition.

Is it okay?

Although there are three judges and the result has already been decided, he himself has his own opinion to tell you all.

Can you allow him to say which he really liked the most?

Of course he personally thinks that everyone of you is very good. It's just that everyone is so good that he can't decide. Usually, what he looks for is performance and the costumes somehow they can mix together. That's what he truly looks for as a judge. For himself and his own opinion.

He feels that the Philippine one is the good, is quite the best. Because your costume is very detailed, is very nice. He likes you because the way you cooperate with each other on stage. You coordinate. Actually all of the sections in the cosplay panel, the judge marking, all the panels he gave you full marks.

Because before, WitchBlade, he doesn't know anything about it. But thanks to you he likes it now. Actually, before this, he doesn't know WitchBlade, but what really draws him to your performance is the way you move, and coordination.

Your video is good. The way you made your costumes is very eye-catching. Your timing with the video is quite natural. What he likes about the video is the character named Shiori? He liked the way she smiles. The animation. The video. Actually, what made him decide that you're a ? is because of that smile. That last smile in the video.

Sorry but, he's not saying the others are no good, but for the other teams right, usually their ending part of whatever their performance are, he feels that it's not complete. The last part. Next time try to make use of the stage ?, the stage itself. So whatever he says, he hopes you accept it. Not only goes to yesterday's contestants,  but all cosplayers who wants to do performances.

Eat eat.

In terms of video-wise, what is really eye-catching is the Lineage team and the Gundam team. He feels so moved that he would like to be part of your team. Your video is impressive but he thinks that your movement is too stiff so be more natural I guess. If it goes just by camera shot, or photo, Lineage team should be the winner. In terms of skill in making, like the technical assemble your costume, he thinks that Gundam should win.

Because in competitions right you need to match with the live video and your own performance to win and get good points. He says that all of you are good but he sees that most of your costumes is still not complete. Try to increase your performance quality. Reverse, actually, is umm if you have good costume but your performance. 'cause in competition right, good costume but performance not good, so it won't help. But performance good, costume no good, it won't work.

(VIDEO 2 of 3)

About Lineage: Your costume is very ? effort, and is very eye-catching because of the lighting, 'cause metallic reflecting. So if you are very ?. Although your costume is good, but because your video is very action-packed filled, but due to the bulkiness of your costume right. So the move around is bad. That's the only minus point. Feel more flexible.

He feels that actually you can win, just that you need to match up your performance, your movements and the video together. So he would like you to try, try harder next time. Your makeup is good. For the elf, who's the elf? I'm not well-versed in cosmetics so what he says is for the elf right, your makeup right, try to use a makeup that is fit for stage performance.

He looks forward to your photos. As a Lineage player, he's a Lineage player, so he says he hopes to see you online and be friends. Although he really can't play online ? but let's just be friends as Lineage players.

Your Gundam currently is at par with his whole country Japan. Cosplay. In terms of mecha, the one that is most favors in is actually Gundam. Because this time, there were two of you right? So this time it's in pair. Because it's a competition, a lot of expectation is there, so at some points minus, but he thinks you are very good as a mecha cosplayer. He feels that for your case, it's not how you coordinate with the video, but it's how you be in character. As a cosplayer, he always favors cosplayers who are faithful to the character, even the way they talk, walk and think. He say, but if you don't mind, he says he likes to improve your wig. (VIDEO 3 of 3) Sorry to say but your portrayal of the character is not exactly how he sees it. Because he feels that your distance and the Gundam distance is a bit far, so he prefers if you all get more closer.

Next time if he's already moving, maybe for like Marina, she can move closer. Of course, the thing is that Gundam is a mecha team right? Because as for Marina she's a human, so the thing is that your Gundam catches more attention than her. So he wants her to be part of the performance also, because the thing is that your Gundam is catchy on the eyes. If you can actually bring the two of you together in the performance, you'll be more impressive.

When he was in Japan, there is one thing that ? by taking shots for Gravure photoshoots, he goes alone, especially he likes together as friends, fellow cosplayers to go with him. Because in Japan, he doesn't have much cosplayers to take photos of him because he couldn't find male cosplayers who has the same views on cosplay ??. Because sometimes when he do photoshoots when everyone is cosplaying...standards. So sometimes he tends to be the one that's more outstanding and he doesn't want that. He wants everyone to be part of it. He doesn't want to be the one star.

What he really wants is everyone to actually, the cosplay level to build up together, to have a same level together. There's still one down, one up. It's better everyone work together. To build, to help each other for the cosplay standard.

He wants even for those people who have not very great cosplay, but he wants the low ones to come up. For Gundam, he wants you to be more, to match up with Marina. Same up, same up. That is... if you can achieve that, I think you can be very good. For this competition, the one that is overall in his favor is WitchBlade. So just now what he has said, he would like you to put in mind so you can improve your cosplay in the future.</sub>
============================================

Thank you very much to Mr. Kaname for the inspiring words! :]

Anyhow, I'd also like to congratulate all the other teams for a job well done for their costumes and performances. Each team had their own thing. Some were funny, some were serious. Ours, though, leaned towards the bad-**s side. Haha! So much for being feminists! Blame it on the anime! Just kidding!

Honestly I feel no disappointment or regrets with what has happened. Just as long as we did our best and no one got physically hurt, that is good enough for me! And of course, representing the country will always be an honor.

Thank you once again to everyone who showed their support! :]

Other than that, it was still a really great experience! Not only were we able to witness something really grand, we also were able to make new friends and meet new people in the community from different countries!

Other AFA Stuff

This is my ID signed by Kaname! This kinda saved us a bit when we got back here in the Philippines. Some guards questioned the large boxes we brought back from Singapore. But good thing, I had this ID the whole time. They believed us! Hahaha!


Back of the ID signed by other teams!^_^ I you guys~


Thank you also to pinkyluxun and Orochi for the lovely gifts~^__^


Kaname gave us his name cards. Sorry, girls, I had to blur the contact information to prevent him from getting stalked by rabid fangirls. Hohoho!

Before I end this journal,  I'd like to credit the following guys for our cosplay and performance:

<sub>Tank: Me and Abraham Cruz thebrambear
Tank: Me BlackMageAlodia and Abraham Cruz thebrambear
Costumes: Ms. Regine Tolentino
Ash's Headgear: Richie dela Merced
Weapons: Kenneth Santillan
LED lights: Me, daddy and Jason
Detailing: Me and mommy
Wig and Make-up: Me BlackMageAlodia
Music & SFX: Ashley Gosiengfiao orangeish
Skit Planning: Me and Ashley orangeish
Fight Choreography: cousin Philip Yeung

I'd also like to thank AFA helper Joseph Lim for taking really good care of us the whole time we were there!</sub>

More Journal Entries about AFA:

Preview of Day 2

_{(Photo by The Banzai Effect)}
Day 2 entry TBC. I cosplayed as Mirai Suenaga, mascot of DannyChoo.com for the OTACOOL Book signing!


OTACOOL was already sold out the first day! Good for them! But then again, 'coz of  that, I wasn't able to bring home copies to my other friends..:c


<sub>Photo by neoprolacus


Photo by Tiny Red Man</sub>


Suenaga Sisters: Haruka and Mirai


Orochi the pimp!!  _{(Photo by Sizer)}
pinkyluxun, Orochi, orangeish & BlackMageAlodia


_{(Photo by Sizer)}
I love this photo~ Awww... This was where I spent the last few minutes at the con
before leaving for the hotel and preparing for our flight back to the Philippines!
(Karugi, Team Malaysia: Masako & Sizer, Team Indonesia: pinkyluxun & Orochi, Kisame, and Me)

PLUG

_{</a>
NINGIN Halloween 2009 Special: Exclusive interview!!}</sub>


Hi guys, please tune in to radio show "Fratpack" @ Jam 88.3, Nov 25(wednseday), 8am~
I will be doing a guesting and a little game on air~

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