Photo: World Cosplay Summit Philippines committee “Samurai X” pair from Mindanao to represent region in the 2019 World Cosplay Summit Philippines Nationals In other news related to the World Cosplay Summit in the Philippines, the 2018 Mindanao Cosplay Summit hosted the 2019 Mindanao Preliminaries. Held at the City Hall of Tagum in Davao del Norte last December 26 to 27, 2018, the preliminary round gathered three pairs from the region for the chance to join other finalists in the National Preliminaries to be held this year. ...

keepsakes.’ guide on how to have your taste of the C3AFASG experience Hi guys! I’ve just come a long way from Otakufest 2019 in Cebu — my photo album is up on Facebook, the latest podcast will feature a series of recordings from the Queen City of the South. By this weekend I expect to use most of the footage I captured to create five videos that will be uploaded on both YouTube and Facebook. ...

Is it worth it to desperately be with your idols? A photo of this writer captured at the historical Kamuning Bakery and Cafe in Quezon City, just a few months before it got burned and rebuilt again. (Captured by Nestor Domingo Jr.) There are moments that are still fresh in my mind, such as the time when I: was like 7 or whatever years old and am alone in the house crying for mama, or that time when I executed nothing for the school paper after taking the helm despite planning for it; or not wanting to finish high school because I just don’t feel going — instead, I spend my time in the internet cafe doing stuff; but even so, I still have the memory of meeting my inspirations — my idols — in person. It’s as fresh as the fish sold in the market at 3:00 am. ...

What Binondo looks like in the start of the Lunar New Year? - Lunar New Year in Binondo Manila 2019 Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! February 05, 2019 marks the start of the Lunar New Year (most of us know that it’s being celebrated by the Chinese, but it’s also being celebrated in Korea as Seollal, so I’ll start with that). In the Philippines, this day has been declared a Special Non-Working Holiday, which means I get to have a day off from work and tag along my friend and online media colleague Christian Mack’s journey into Binondo, which is the oldest Chinatown in the world, having been established in 1594 (16th century). ...

I made sure that my second trip in Cebu will be in an otaku event — and not just any otaku event, it has to be the largest one. I’ve been to three personal trips to explore the anime/cosplay culture — in Davao, in Singapore, and in Baguio. ...

I got a lot of content being churned out on YouTube and Anchor. Here’s some of it: I’ve just had a podcast with JM Melegrito of Anime Pilipinas last week, and now we proceed to Cebu’s Gary Montejo. Next week will be Serena from The Lily Cat — and following that is a feature on the country’s first Anime Idol Convention held last January 13. A lot has been going on, and I just got used to churning on podcasts sporadically, so you’d better subscribe to the podcast: http://anchor.fm/keepsakes. ...

Four titles are added to kick-off the new year If you have seen my C3 AFA Singapore travelogue, chances are you saw my purchase of THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Theater eyeglass wiper for a few seconds. That was at the Aniplus booth, and it’s great to get back in touch with them — especially that I got introduced to them during the KanColle the Movie Screening. Now that it’s 2019, it’s time for them to announce their new simulcasts. (Airing times are in GMT+8 Manila/Singapore) ...

Decade-long Ozine Fest activity held its last hurrah at recently-concluded Anime Figure Special 2018 At the end of Otaku Expo Reload 2018, I chanced upon Ozine GM Dennis “Ukiya” Uy and Leny from the Ozine Maid Cafe, congratulating them for another event that has passed. During our brief chit-chat, I’m informed that Ozine Maid Cafe will have its last run at the next Anime Figure Special this December. What happens to be a simple kamustahan led me to mark the date on my calendar. ...

This draft was actually written a year ago. This was me reluctantly deciding if I’m going for my first overseas trip or not. A year after this, I ticked off one thing in my bucket list. Allow me to share the draft prior to the release of “The First and Last Journey” this Monday, 7pm Manila time on Facebook and YouTube. I am looking at my Facebook feed, and I see some of my friends go to other places, with their smiling faces; and I can’t help but feel so jealous. ...

Team Twin Star and Team Phoenix selected last Sunday Two teams have participated in the NCR Leg of the World Cosplay Summit Philippines 2019 Qualifiers held at the 13th Christmas Toys and Collectibles Fair at Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Sunday, December 16. These two teams are Team Phoenix and Team Twin Star are both selected to represent the region. Watch the highlight video below. ...