Photo courtesy: Jay Rivero | Facebook
COSPLAY, short for costume play, the art of dressing up as characters from movies, video games, anime, and comics, has grown into a vibrant community and a creative outlet for fans worldwide.
Beyond the colorful costumes and conventions, cosplay serves as a powerful tool for personal expression and connection, allowing individuals to escape from the pressure of everyday life.
Whether you are a shy student, a working professional, or dealing with personal struggles, cosplay gives you a chance to become someone else, if only for a few hours. This act of transformation can be liberating, as it encourages individuals to express aspects of themselves they might not feel comfortable sharing in their everyday lives
The roots of cosplay can be traced back to the early 20th century, but it gained significant popularity in the 1980s with the rise of comic book conventions.
Fans began to dress up as their favorite characters, transforming conventions into a playground of creativity and imagination.
Over the years, cosplay has evolved, embracing a diverse range of genres and characters, and has become a global phenomenon, connecting people from all walks of life.
In the Philippines, cosplay began to gain popularity in the early 2000s, largely fueled by the rise of anime and gaming culture. The first significant event was the “Animé Festival Asia” in 2008, which showcased local and international cosplayers.
This event marked a turning point, encouraging more fans to participate in cosplay. The launch of “Cosplay Mania” shortly after became a major annual convention, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring competitions, workshops, and panels.
As social media gained traction, Filipino cosplayers began sharing their costumes and experiences online, further expanding the community.
Today, the Philippines is renowned for its vibrant cosplay scene, hosting numerous conventions and competitions that attract both local and international participants.
For many, cosplay is not just about dressing like a character—it’s about becoming that character. This transformation offers individuals a temporary escape from the pains of life, allowing them to embody someone else’s strength, charisma, or even villainy.
In this act of play, cosplayers often find themselves more confident and free to express aspects of their personalities they might usually keep hidden.
One such example is 22-year-old cosplayer Emmalyn Perez, who shared her transformative experience with cosplay. “No’ng pagkasuot ko sa Wonderwoman costume ko, pagkatingin ko sa salamin ng hitsura ko, parang may something na na-feel ako na parang naging confident ako sa sarili ko kasi ang ganda. Ang ganda ng costume. Tapos sabi ko talaga sa sarili ko, ‘Wow. This costume fits me.'” she shared.
For Perez, her costume was not just an outfit—it became a tool that boosted her self-esteem. The act of wearing it gave her the confidence to step out of her shell, interact with others, and even ask for photos, something she never imagined doing.
“Biglang nag-iba ‘yung feeling ko. Naging excited ako bigla lumabas para makita na nila. Ako na mismo nag-aayang mag picture. ‘Yung pagiging sensitive ko parang nagbago kasi ang saya ko sa costume na gusto ko siya ibalandra,” she added.
While cosplay events may sound fun and exciting, newcomers often feel overwhelmed during their first convention. The busy atmosphere, crowds of enthusiastic fans, and the pressure to fit in can be daunting.
Perez recalls her own struggles at her first event “Nagkaron pa ako ng panic attacks no’n, kaya ilang minuto ko lang suot ‘yung damit, nag bihis na ako. Kasi hindi ko talaga kaya kasi very crowded, tapos tuloy-tuloy ‘yung daloy ng tao, eh hindi ako sanay sa ganung environment,” she shared.
She continued, “So ‘yung first experience ko talaga, sabi ko, ayoko na ulit. Ganun.”
Perez highlights a common challenge faced by many first-time cosplayers: the intensity of large crowds and the overwhelming nature of the event.
The sense of belonging and positive reinforcement that cosplay fosters can have profound effects on a person’s confidence. AJ Jacob of the Madrigal Siblings, another seasoned cosplayer, reflected on how the praise he received from others dramatically boosted his self-esteem.
“Nakatulong siya no’ng tumagal na ko. Kapag nag cosplay ako, ang daming nagsasabi na, ‘ang pogi mo, kuya,’ or ‘kuya, ang ganda ng costume mo,’” Jacob shared.
“Do’n pa lang, nabu-build up ka na eh. Na, ‘ah, pogi pala ako. Hindi ko alam. Di ako aware.’”
Jacob explained that, like many people, he often felt insecure about his appearance. However, hearing positive feedback from others, especially strangers, helped him gain confidence.
“Sa sarili mo kasi minsan, feeling mo pangit ka eh. Pag ikaw lang tumitingin sa sarili mo mismo. Pero pag ibang tao na nagsabi lalo pag di mo kilala, maga-gain at maga-gain talaga ang confidence.”
For many cosplayers, being part of this supportive community allows them to grow not just socially but emotionally as well. Jacob added that cosplay helped him overcome his introversion: “Dati, ‘di ko alam paano ako makikipag-usap. Pero ngayon kasi ‘pag naka-costume ka na, feeling mo tropa mo na lahat eh kaya natuto akong makihalubilo.”
For Perez, it helped her embrace her height, something she had previously been self-conscious about. “Dati, nahihiya ako sa height ko… pero dito sa cosplaying, mas maganda pala pag matangkad ka. So, parang nagiging safe space ko rin yung cosplaying sa pag build up sa sarili ko.”
Through cosplay, Perez also overcame her introversion. Once afraid to have her picture taken without a mask, she eventually found herself gaining confidence in front of the camera.
“Dahil sa cosplaying, natuto akong maging confident sa harap ng camera. Dati, hindi ako makapag-picture nang walang mask kasi very introverted ako. Tapos, di ko namamalayan na sa katagalan, unti-unti na akong nagiging confident mag-pose, mag-make-up,” she shared.
AJ Jacob of the Madrigal Siblings, starting to make a name in the cosplaying industry, shared the same experience with Perez when he was a newbie.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of cosplay is the community. Cosplayers often protect and uplift one another, forming bonds that extend beyond conventions.
Perez shared how the cosplay community became her support system, helping her grow not only as a cosplayer but also as a person. “Ang heartwarming moments din sa cosplaying community, yung mga cosplayers, parang sila rin yung mga magtatanggol sayo.”
Cosplay offers a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. “Yung cosplay talaga, pwede siyang pasukin ng kahit na sino. Isa siyang place na pwede kang mag-grow,” Perez emphasized.
In her case, cosplay became a vital tool for personal development, allowing her to voice her thoughts, meet new people, and ultimately, discover more about herself. “In fact, naging savior ko nga ang cosplaying para makilala ang sarili ko. Sobrang laki talaga ng improvement sa sarili ko. Like, kaya ko na magsalita, kaya ko na i-voice out yung sarili ko.”
Beyond personal growth, cosplay has also opened doors to professional opportunities for some. The Madrigal Siblings, starting to make a name in the local cosplay scene, shared how cosplay became a source of income for them.
“Bukod sa confidence, nakatulong talaga ang cosplay sa amin dahil nagkaroon kami ng maraming connection, ng maraming kaibigan na nagagamit namin sa raket,” they explained. “Sa cosplay, income talaga ‘yung malaking tulong.”
Cosplayers can earn money in various ways, from renting out costumes to styling wigs, doing makeup, and even becoming brand ambassadors. Some are hired for events like birthdays or as ushers at conventions. Contests also offer cash prizes, and the skills gained in cosplay—like costume-making, makeup artistry, and performance—can lead to further business opportunities.
Perez and her sister, for example, launched an online costume rental shop called Krystal’s Closet, offering a variety of costumes—from anime characters like Luffy and Nami to Western movie figures like Barbie. Through cosplay, they turned their passion into a thriving business.
If you want to hop into the cosplaying world but are still hesitant, here are some tips based on what these Gen Z cosplayers shared, along with a few more to help you:
Cosplay is more than just dressing up—it is a journey of self-discovery, confidence-building, and community belongingness.
For cosplayers like Emmalyn Perez, AJ Jacob, and the Madrigal Siblings, cosplay has become a safe haven, offering them a creative outlet, social opportunities, and even a source of income.
The act of stepping into a character’s role—even for just a day—allows cosplayers to embrace their alter egos and, in doing so, discover new strengths and talents within themselves. Whether it’s through positive feedback, friendships, or professional growth, cosplay provides a space where people can truly become the best versions of themselves.
With reports from Mayen Medroso
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