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keepsakes. gets up-close and personal with the songstress at August 2018’s Anifes inside SMX Manila. The highlight of this weekend’s ANIFES 2018 is singer-songwriter Mika Kobayashi who has sung tracks such as “Before my body is dry” (aka DON’T LOSE YOUR WAY) from Kill la Kill, “at’aek ON taitn” from Attack on Titan, “βίος” from Guilty Crown among others. Prior to the concert, we had an opportunity to talk to her about her musical journey and her current activities. ...

My thoughts on TV5 Animega as the channel reached its 10th year So here’s another drunk post I prepared last night, and I don’t plan editing this as I poured all my heart and soul (???) into writing this draft (yes this is a draft that is marked done; lazy right?). https://www.facebook.com/otacobites/videos/272050003393721/ So it’s been 10 years since the name TV5 popped out straight into Philippine households, and yes it’s that time when anime fans are reminiscing the TV5 they know. TV5 (now The 5 Network) was launched formally on August 8, 2008 at 7 in the evening, and I got to know the channel through its anime block. ...

Sillykonpeito Alright guys, I just finished Day 1 of Stores Asia Expo and I would love to see you at SMX tomorrow (Friday August 10) as entrance is free and I’m game for some chit-chat. For now, let me share my unedited thoughts about Maria (Sillykonpeito) as I see her developments online. [Photo] Brentertainment The first time I really really met Maria was at O-kun Fiesta years ago where she is dressed as Hanayo Koizumi (the apple of the eye ng mga kanin kings kasi mahilig din sya sa kanin) and I was among the ones who got enthralled by how great her costume is and her cure appearance. ...

Ota Kuniyoshi must be crying right now. Today, June 15, 2018, it is announced that the idol group Wake Up, Girls! will be disbanding by March 2019 [see this PDF, in Japanese]. On my part, this is sad news, but there is a purpose for doing so: “… the group will disband so that the members can each pursue their individual goals and dreams and so they can walk their individual paths.” ...

Featuring the 2018 Nihongo Speech Contest Student Category Winner Sofia Abigail Sanches Let me tell you a story. One day, someone thought of a small dream. This dream was a result of her being inspired to Sailor Moon, Sugar Sugar Rune and other anime series that made a mark in the childhood of most of us 20-somethings. She keeps that dream as she studies. Photo: Japan Foundation Manila One day, she was given the opportunity to address her “small dream” to a large crowd, in a place she has rarely been to. ...

Trust me, they have soft, pugon-made pandesal. The Kamuning Bakery Cafe, an institution in Quezon City, serves as a venue for various occasions. This includes the Pandesal Forum and the World Pandesal Day. I dreamt of visiting this historical bakery along Judge Jimenez St. in Quezon City (even just once), so when the opportunity comes, I’ll come and see for myself. That opportunity came last Saturday. Before we start: Prior to my visit here, I went to Eccentric Yet Happy’s law seminar for bloggers (but for some reason I am late and embarrassed by how I was late because the topic was so important and yet here I was). ...

In a brief span of time, she lived a great life. She will be missed. Nice. Approachable. Sweet. Kind. Innocent. These are how friends of Zhanely Neilsen Chan, known as Hana by her peers, described her during her wake last Wednesday, November 1. Hana, who was supposed to celebrate her 16th birthday this November 17, passed away on October 28 due to Japanese encephalitis. In a brief span of time she spent with the metro’s cosplay community, she got acquainted with many people — including the friends of yours truly. (The testimonials are edited for brevity.) ...

Ha, I baited you somehow. But really, I don’t regret deciding not to focus on the rest of ESGS and simply place my eyes on this specific booth inside the Indie Arena because (1) I know the guy responsible for the following board games that I will be mentioning in this post and (2) it’s board games, y’all. Take a look at the two board games I played at The Epic Gaming Regiment’s booth inside ESGS 2017. ...

“This one focuses on the food they serve.” While I was at GameCon.PH, I was thinking where should I eat. My hesitant decision-making eventually led me to a maid who introduced me to Neko Maid Cafe, just around the leftmost corner of the venue. (What made me actually take a look at it is the discount they gave at that time — it was already minutes past 7:00pm.) As I am waiting for my food, I am introduced to CJ*, who manages the operations. Let’s say this is their first, but CJ told me he has been to our local maid cafes (he also checked out a small maid cafe in Japan). One thing he notices with our current maid cafes is the food, he and his comrades tackled that, and Neko Maid Cafe is born. ...

A narrative of “Kantai Collection Movie Sequence” as I watched its one-day screening at the SM Megamall Cinema 11 last May 6, 2017. (with Spoilers) One Saturday, I told my boss that I’ll be out for a moment. A few words later, he asked me if the “time machine” I had is working, so I said, “Yes sir, it’s working, and it will transport me to 1942, where the ships are females.” Yep. ...