Few notes: I would like to say sorry if the article was not in correct grammar. Pls. don’t steal my article and feature my article without my permission. (This article needs some proofreading and editing.)Article Entry for: WWW.COSPLAY.PH Cosplay Blog Contest
“Halos wala na kaming tulog, wala kaming makain, lagi kaming may problema sa materyales,hindi namin alam kung may pera pa ba kami, at lagi naming iniisip na hindi na matatapos tong costumes namin pero matalo man o manalo hindi namin akalain na ganun ang mangyayari…” These are just the words uttered from everyone’s mouth after we got all the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place of the individual Cosplay category of the last May 2007 event, Mangaholix MangaMania Convention. The said event was held at Mall of Asia’s Music Hall and it does not only featured anime costumes but also the artistic and original concepts of Pinoy comic artists. This event was one of the most unforgettable Cosplay events in our lives. We were very thankful to all the people, our families, and our friends behind the winning stitches, actions, props, choreography, originality, and concept of the costumes.
It was already 3 days before the main event and I decided to go back to our place. We call that place “Yellow House". 
Actually, we only borrowed the house for a space to work on from our very generous friend, Ryan. When I was almost 1 ride from the house I saw my friends Tel and Noel. They already came from DV and purchased all the materials needed. We helped one another to carry all the bulky and heavy things until we reached the house. This adventure is just beginning. Yes, it was already 2 or 3 days before the event and we haven’t started anything yet. That night we decided to start making something so that we can finish early. We planned. The next day we bought all the other materials that we can possibly have. We draw the patterns of the costumes and divided the function of everyone’s ability.
I decided to make a Doraemon costume, kuya Ryan was planning to build the Nemesis, his younger brother Jemire stick to his Zombie both from Resident Evil Game. Noel and Tel were planning to create the sasquatch of Darkstalkers, and some were repairing the previous costumes of Cell (Ned) and Jr. Cell of DBZ.Some of the time, we also sleep in the afternoon. When we feel sleepy or we have to take a break, we watched DVD movies as an alternative for food. And again, the dark came and we haven’t finished even one costume. One of our problems was one of our artistic and helpful friends, Ned, have to go home every night. We were even not sure when will he return. Even we were lack of people we slowly began working the last day, Friday. Through our jokes, stories, and laughter we forget how hard is to work when you are lack of necessary supplies. We decided to call some of our friends to seek for help especially in food. Gladly, Prince Troy, a.k.a. Jake, voluntarily brought something to eat. 
He came to the rescue for our stomach the night and some members of our forums came too. Our egos were boosted. I was also very happy that our friend Mitch/fender and my boyfriend Wolbo visited too. We were a large of working force now. We asked their help for our costumes and they agreed. Suddenly, it began to drizzle and we were so afraid that our unfinished costumes might get wet. One of the funniest and irritating scene happened during this last 20 hours, before the event, was we felt asleep. Noel and Tel decided to take a short nap due to fatigue and tiredness. They asked us to wake up them 3:00am. And it was okay. The coolness of air is calling each and everyone of us to sleep. Some of our friends and Kuya Ryan remained woke up and continued what they are working on. When my cellphone time alarmed at 3:00am I tried to woke up Tel and Noel, but unluckily they didn’t. I tried my best but it was so pity to wake them up seeing them very tired. Due to lack of rest I decided to sleep also. Few hours past the sun rose up and I forcely opened my eyes. My heart beat fast because I saw all of my friends were still sleeping. I went out the room and checked the other friends who were sleeping in the balcony. Surprisingly, they still. I saw some of the costumes were just half finished including mine. I woke up kuya ryan and the others. I told them that it was already 7:00 in the morning. We began working again not thinking of the time running out. unfortunately again, it rained too hard and we rushed to take all the costumes inside the room. We thought that the event will not pursue because of the bad weather. We asked some friends to take their bath and go early to the venue. Even we didn’t take our breakfast we still managed to hurry up. I, Noel, and JC decided to ride on a separate vehicle than Kuya Rye, Ate Vec, Tel, and Ned because we didn’t fit to the car. 
What makes things worst, when we reached MOA, I felt that something was left at the Yellow house. I am not sure what that was but we found out that it was Kuya Ryan’s costume, Nemesis. His costume and props were left behind. Kuya ryan found out what happened and decided not to continue cosplaying. I told him not to surrender. I thinked of ways how to get Kuya Ryan’s costume to MOA. I borrowed my friend’s cellphone and called Choji/ Anthony. He was one of our friends who also knows the Yellow House and still in Cainta. I asked for a favor to bring the costume at our location. I told him that I will pay his expenses and I am sure that he will come on time. Thanked God! Anthony came and everything went fine. We cosplayed and I know we would not win because we are expecting the gigantic cosplayers to bring the prizes. We just enjoyed. We roamed the MOA, and mingled with the children and people. Bad things is unpredictable, a man slapped me with a rolled newspaper on my doraemon’s head. It was hurt because he didn’t even know I was being careful of the thorns of the chicken wire in the ceiling of the head. Whatever might happened I just smiled even people couldn't see my face. Some children dragged me here and there and some don’t know that I am a “she”. They thought I was a “he”.
I, unggkey, and wolbo decided to take our dinner at the food court. Except me who only have a little amount of money to buy my food. The two of them gave me a large juice drink which was already enough. After the dinner, we rushed to go back to the venue. There was an awarding ceremony but I was sure that it was not a Cosplay category. I went back to the Cosplay area and fixed my things, suddenly my older sister, ate vec, ran and embraced me. “Congrats Des! Nanalo k ng award!” I was stunned and surprised. I was not sure on what I have heard. “Talaga, di nga?! Owss…totoo ba yan?” I replied. I confirmed it and it was true. Soon, I realized that during the time we were at the food court it was already the awarding ceremony for individual Cosplay. It was such a big mistake being absent at those minutes. I also found out that we dragged all the awards from 3rd place up to 1st place awards. I got the 3rd, my friend Jemire the zombie cosplayer got the 2nd, and the J.R. Cell (originally owned by Arjay Navarro) cosplayed by our friend Jojo awarded the 1st place.
We feast and after the good dinner we decided to go home at yellow house. I was very thankful to God and to everyone because without Him I would not be able to pay all the debts from my friends. Because of the money prize I paid them all and my problems were all gone.
The next few days I watched the uploaded video of the Mangaholix Mangamania Convention (c/o by our friend Kuya Jason) in YouTube. I saw the scene, I was so irritated because I was not even physically present during the time our friends were shouting, making merry, and excited. My sister received the award for me.
Credits: Miss Angeline Barillo for the photos. Thanks my dear friend! and to all the owners of the pictures! Thank you very much! (I'll search for your names and add you in the credits ^^;)
