Title: Learn to hold unto your remaining faith and strength

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 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd 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 3^rd place up to 1^st place awards. I got the 3^rd, my friend Jemire the zombie cosplayer got the 2^nd, and the J.R. Cell (originally owned by Arjay Navarro) cosplayed by our friend Jojo awarded the 1^st 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 ^^;)

I got Dysthymic Disorder.

“Dysthymic disorder is a chronic disturbance of mood, involving feelings of despair or loss of interest or pleasure in formerly enjoyable activities and pastimes.”

I just bought a book, a week ago, and I really loved updating myself with the cheapest psychology books at Book Sale. The book was titled “AM I NORMAL” by Sid Cormier, Ph. D.

I purchased it for 40php, and it is ¾ thumb thick. Maybe you are thinking what’s big deal with this book. The book helped me a lot not only for my interests but also for my personality. (Maybe this book could help you). This book also contain eating disorder, sexual disorder, and let’s say all about abnormalities.

Without further ado, I found myself having Dysthymic depression disorder. When I answered the Dysthymic Disorder questionnaire I almost had the symptoms. Examples are, sad, empty, hopeless for several weeks, or days, crying, tearfulness, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and etc. YAH! The book absolutely answered my inquiries. Anyway, I just found myself to have something to post for this blog.

Have a nice day!

PLAYING RESIDENT EVIL… . . AND I AM DEAD!

PLAYING RESIDENT EVIL… . . AND I AM DEAD!

How many times did I shout, “Albert wesker takbo dali!!!” , “Hala ayan na sya! Waaahhh madededz na ako!” YEH! Maybe more than 20 times…and when I use Hunk I am always dead before the chopper arrives.

And my brother will reply, “MAGTAGO ka na, andyan na sya!” (oiuja)

I really miss Resident Evil for long long time!!!

And it was so exciting to have RE4 here in our PC. Yes! The scary, breathtaking, and frightening RPG I LOVED!

Waaaaaaaaahhh!! My younger brother Andrian finished the game including the mercenaries and the professional mode. That was amazing! Hehehehe! We both having the same interest and because of our craze we even tried to take the online quizzes all about the RE series. Not bad, we can still remember the facts and everything about the RE1 to RE4. We haven’t played the Code Veronica but its okay.

Even we don’t have the Playstation; we still have installer for the PC. I am really waiting for the next RE movie.

Few minutes ago, I was playing the Mercenaries of the RE4. My favorite is Albert Wesker. Yes! This cool guy who kicks some ass of nasty zombies! Ahahahahaha! I like his new look and his technique…and I forgot it already. He is so handsome!!! (Like my Loves! Yes wolbo! My love who cosplayed albert wesker. Ahehehehehe!)

Anyway, I am still practicing the shooting, throwing of grenades, and even running all the time! Hahahaha! I also like Krauser’s technique, wherein his arm transforms and attacks the zombies. Anyway…enough of this crazes. What I want to learn is to kill the zombies by using fewer bullets and to proceed to the other stages.

"Don’t run and hide, instead fight and ride!”

Once I wished to be a boy.

I felt that during my past life I was a boy. I don’t know why I can’t keep from thinking of this thing. Back in my younger years, I don’t like Barbie dolls, but I love Batman toys, toy guns, cars, and etc. But like the normal kids do, I ran, I climbed, I shout, and I play. When I checked my childhood pics, I was surprised that I had a very short hair that I almost look like a white boy with black hair. I hate my look.

Now, that almost 13 years had past I could really notice that I have this masculinity attitude. First, I love to play action, rpg, and shooting games. I also love racing, working and fixing things. One of my daddy’s nurse asked me, “oy lalaki k ba?” coz she just saw me working with soldering iron, led, voltmeter, and everything. I just laughed. I am still aware of these things. 2^nd, I could even see a possibility to fall to a girl… OOOOoopppssss!! Just a crush. ^^ Wolbo my loves noticed that. I confessed that I got a big crush to “her” cousin. Wahehehehehe!! And lastly, I hate the “sobrang maarte” attitude of we girls have. “Ay! you’re so kadiri nman, ever!” Ewwwww that makes me want to punch that girl. What koniotik English! Hahahha!!

Well. . On the pic, I was wearing a wig. I loved the cut of the hair (but I don’t want to have a short hair). I could remember Selphie from the Final Fantasy game with this wig.

Anyway. . . MMMh….nothing really special about this blog.

A Cinderella for Kids review

Observations, Analysis, and Ratings

“This production, adapted by Marcy Heisler and Bryan Louiselle, brings to the stage the very same wonder enjoyed by generations in Disney’s classic animated film. With the Disney Classic treatment intact, audiences can expect the same timeless songs and characters they have enjoyed time and again.”

I came to the venue at exactly 8:30 in the morning. Greenbelt 1 was empty and only Jollibee was the fast food open. I went upstairs and checked if someone was already selling the tickets. Luckily, a woman was selling tickets to a mother. I confirmed if she sells the tickets and told her that I am from AMACC. I bought the P250.00 ticket and she told me that the theater will open at 10am. I went downstairs and ate breakfast. It was 9 am and a line began to form. Some foreigners, pre-schoolers, nannies, and adults were present too. When the line outside the theater began to move slowly, at 10am, I was not expecting too much scenes from the musical play because on Cinderella’s story book you’ll be reading and imagined the whole scene for 10 minutes or less. I was seated on Balcony- right inside the Onstage Theater; the view was perfect to see the whole stage and the scenes but it was not a precise angle and distance to stare the characters. I would love to seat on the middle of the theater, for a precise angle, but it was RESERVED for some VIPs. Anyway, I am in comfort and felt little cold. A voice told us, “The Play will start within 15 minutes.” And until that minutes became in seconds.

The musical play began with dressed people, about a dozen of them, dancing with colorful costumes, and balloon dresses. The first scene began outside the house of Cinderella. She’s petite, white complexion, and pretty. Her two evil stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella, appeared. The two evil stepsisters were perfectly portrayed by the actresses. The evil stepmother was seemed to have more arrogant lines but she’s good looking though. The stepsisters and stepmother asked Cinderella to finish her house chores in a way of singing. Cinderella’s friends were the mouse, Jack, Perla, Luka, and the fat Gus. They were playful and kind to Cinderella. Next scene was the announcement of the Grand Ball from the Kingdom of Prince Charming. It was stated on the letter an invitation for all the maidens in the kingdom. The Prince would like to search for someone he will marry. The family of Cinderella heard the news and they were getting ready for the ball. But Cinderella was not allowed to come because she has to finish many things. She didn’t lose hope instead her mice friends helped her. They cheered up Cinderella and made a gown for her. The evil stepsisters saw it and destroyed Cinderella’s dress. She was so sad. A fairy god mother showed up in a white dress. She’s old and cheerful. She told Cinderella that she will be coming to the ball using her magical powers. The fairy god mother asked the mice to find a pumpkin. During this part, audience participation is needed. This part was so funny and I felt I was like a kid again. She asked us what vegetable is round and the color is orange. Some of the kids near the stage answered, “Pumpkin”. Bjorn, who was seated at my right, told me that it should be a squash. Going on, the pumpkin changed to a big carriage. The first two mice were transformed to white horses and the other two were the drivers. I was amazed how the pumpkin and the mice modified to another form. Cinderella came and she wore a very beautiful white balloon type gown. She also had a tiara on her head and the very beautiful glass slippers. I’ll not be telling the whole story. But in additional, it was new to see a pair of ballet dancers dancing in the middle of the palace. Also, one of the glass slippers was broken and that was new to me.

If I will give this musical play a grade, I just saw last August 2, 2007- Saturday, I‘ll give it 100, a perfect grade as the highest. The lighting and music were first-rate too. Choreography and stage presence of each of the characters were just excellent also. If suggestions are entertain I want to advise that the volume of the voices should be a little louder. The musical play, Cinderella, captured my heart and I really loved its presentation. I don’t want to believe that Cinderella’s story is just for kids only. Even some of the audiences are old enough, each of us can still relate to this poor-girl-turned-princess story. This is an audience and kid friendly theater play that made me stunned and believed how talented and creative the Filipino theater actors, actresses, and organizers are. This musical play showcased the talents of almost the cast and minor characters with their singing, dancing and acting skills. Our very own Cris Villonco, who played Cinderella, did her very best and showed a special expertise in musical theater play. Before, we could only hear her songs from the radio but now she was almost a ladder higher. She really improved a lot. I felt like I want her to be the third “Lea Salonga” right after KC Concepcion. Her voice was superior enough and her beauty will make her the apple of the eyes.