CEBU, Philippines - It was a lucky day for cosplay fans everywhere, when a random person from Manila stopped her and said, “Bagay sa’yo mag-cosplay.” At that point, Cebu-based cosplayer, Miles Semblante, had no idea what cosplay meant. Little did she know that that day marked the beginning of her notable relationship with the said hobby.
“I looked it up in the Internet and I fell in love. The costumes, the glamour, the prettiness… It’s a total combination of what I am fond of. Anime and crazy fashion exhibited awesomely by people!” She said. (To those who don’t know, Cosplay is short for costume play. It is a hobby that involves people wearing costumes and accessories usually identified with a fictional character or a popular Japanese subculture.)
Her first cosplay stint was at the U.P. Otakufest that was held in February of 2008. She went wearing an impromptu maid costume that she put together from items found in her closet. “The costume wasn’t really battle ready but it was recognizable and I had positive feedbacks.”
With her eye-catching outfits, her kawaii demeanor (many have commented she looked Japanese), and her approachable stance, Miles was surely bound to attract the attention of many in every Cosplay event she has attended. This led to her rising recognition among youngsters, even though not once had she participated in a cosplay competition.
But popularity aside, what really keeps her going are the friends she has made from these events. “It’s great because we share the same love, the same passion, and the same mode of expression. If it weren’t for them, I would have stopped years ago.”
Miles usually goes for the ‘cute Lolita-esque’ outfits, or ones that that don’t need heavy equipment to be noticed. She said that it’s a must for her that she sees herself in each character she cosplays – the shape of the face, the eyes, the mannerisms and the charm. For her, cosplay is more than just being pretty; it’s about effectively conveying the character you are in.
“The only outfit I made myself was my outfit of Ling Xiaoyu from Tekken. I sewed the bag, the skirt and her corset-like top. I think the only pictures I have of it are headshots buried deep in the Internet.” She goes to trusted seamstresses to have her costumes done, but she does have plans of mastering sewing. “In the future, I want to sew costumes for the new breed of cosplayers. I want to earn money by doing that.”
Undoubtedly, Miles is one of the pioneer cosplayers in Cebu. Back in 2008, there were only a handful of people who were into this hobby. It was a small community back then, and everyone pretty much knew everyone. But now, thanks to the events organized by various cosplay groups, the number of Cebuano cosplayers is rising. Possibly in the future, Cebu cosplay events can rival those held in Manila.
When asked if she had any advice to those who wish to cosplay, Miles said, “Choose the best character for you. Ask advice from people who are really into it. Do not be afraid of criticism. Then remember to budget; Wigs, contact lenses and extra props do not come cheap. And most importantly, have fun and love your hobby! Do not be shy about it.”
She is secretive when it comes to the character she will cosplay next, but knowing her style and taste, it’ll definitely be something to look forward to!