Cosplay has been my avenue to share my other side. My artistic side. My creative side. It's been an "escape" for me from from the busy-work life and stress. I found this venue in early 2008 and have participated in late part of the same year. Since then, I've seen an opportunity to always grow and improve, enhance my knowledge and skills in this field. It may be tiring and pressure at some point. But the end result is always fun. A relief from my daily stress.
I guess I've been too-focused at work, I tend to forget about other more important things in life. 
What other important things, you ask?
Well, I just realized I've been spending too much time with work and planning for it, that I forget about work-life balance. "Life" in the sense of family, love / relationship, fun, relaxation, future business ventures, most importantly God ... and the likes. Too late though, that I spend too much time worrying than filled with miseries than fun and enjoyment. And so I get back to my senses. In one way, despite my other reasons, my hiatus in cosplay is now ended. I return to scene and attend events. I find it enjoying and I have so much fun with friends. This time, I get to enjoy these events with my dear Emman.
The first event I attended this year is the Metro Comic Con or MCC 2011. I remember way back 2009 when I first debuted my Watchmen Group. This time, I went solo. And a plan I've been having for years has finally materialized. I cosplayed as "Jean Grey" in her original "Uncanny X-Men" TV cartoon series or Marvel Trading card outfit. I was the "chubby Jean Grey" then as dubbed by others. LOL. But I'm also glad that a lot of other folks appreciated my accuracy and for having the "guts" to cosplay this version. I guess I went overboard! LOL. Hahahah!
Details of my whole Jean Grey cosplay story appear in my Cosplay.PH Resume ID.
This was only last May 8, 2011. Geez! I feel sooo awkward in skin-tight outfit. However, I'm glad I pulled it off. 
I planned to attend other local conventions however, due to hectic schedules, I've only been able to attend the next big event, 10th Philippines Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention 2011 or simply Toycon 2011. It's a jam-packed event I should say. Both days are filled with a lot of attendees. Tickets were sold out. I even heard that on Day 1, there were a number of ticket-holders who weren't allowed to get in because the venue has been full. Take note, this happened in all the three (3) Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall, a first for Toycon I guess. They normally just occupy two (2) halls and this time, it's massive. Truly, the event marked "a decade of success" and compared to the past Toy Conventions, this one I'd say is the best I've attended. TOYCON 2011 delivered as it promised. You could see how improved the cosplayers are and how big of an area was designated to hobbyists, toy collectors, and exhibitors. Overall, the event was a success for me. Not to mention that the dubbed "Alodia-Nation" by others (because the film features Alodia Gosiengfiao as the main star) or accurately, "Cosplay Nation" was a crowd-getter. Maxicollector's booth was filled with a lot of fans! Geez! It's crazy!
This event occurred June 18-19, 2011 by the way (Saturday-Sunday).
On Day 1, I cosplayed as Takara Miyuki from the anime "Lucky Star." I don't have a saved photo of her yet heheh. I will upload once available. So far, I've seen a number of cosplays already with her school uniform. A few also did her winter uniform version already but it's rare to find (or even none yet?) a "gym outfit" version. I love that scene when Konata's dad went to their field to take perverted photos. LOL. And Miyuki was one of his targets, esp. Miyuki's boobs haha. Her gym outfit simply captured that and Konata's dad was surely happy to see that running-hopping moment. I didn't join the cosplay competition anymore (Individual). I only planned to roam around anyway and check out the event. I'm also scouting for good toy finds - and even the 1/8 scale version of my cosplay that day but didn't find any. It maybe just the 1/6 scale by FREEing and it wasn't available as well. Hehehe. Oh well! At least I pulled off my pink hair cosplay hahah (well a number of folks called me that, unfamiliar with the character or the version; while some others called me "VOCALOID" hahaha).
On Day 2, I finally launched my 2-years-in-the-making group cosplay - "Shuraki Trinity." I was originally rooting for Liu Mei Feng since she's really my favorite. So sexy yet so moe! However, this year, I know I've gotten BIGGER and FATTER! Hahaha! Being in love means I should stay in shape, right? But my and my dear love to eat together so yeah ... I don't think I'd fit Mei Feng. My dream cosplay is really Shall Rhousemann though but she's even more daring.
So I switched with my team member and I cosplayed Needa Schuetlitch. I guess we were the first to do it in the Philippines, unless there were others in some parts of the country that haven't been published yet hehe. We joined the Group Cosplay competition and launched our skit. We didn't win but t'was all fun performing our martial arts (phail!) stint on stage. Hahaha! Go girls! I'll post a picture as well once available. They're such lovely girls and we're cosplaying lovely figures from this Multimedia project.
I have other pending cosplay plans in place. Teaser photos were up before ... can you guess? I guess I've lauched other cosplays even before these prior plans, lah! Hehehe. My tailor has had these in stock and needed revisions. I must push them to complete faster hehe.
I'm cosplaying these characters in other groups as well, different / separate groups. I dunno but I find it good to group with other people and learn from them too. I also like it even better that I don't stick with just one (1) group. I guess I have a variety of interests. It's fun to work with more people.

I won't give up then in the cosplay community we have. I guess it's still fairly new and improvements are on the way. Though I lost my almost-3-years Nokia N82 (black) in the convention (Day 2), I'm looking at it as a positive sign. I've been planning to replace it anyway since it's malfunctioning already. It just hastened my decision to buy a new phone. Hurhurhur~
I've been considering buying an iphone 4G anyway, or in Nokia brands (my preference), I'm choosing from N8, X6, C2. I already have a Blackberry Curve 9800 anyway as my work phone. Which one should I get as my personal phone next? Hmmmm ...
Overall, I'm happy that I have my dear Emman with me amidst all these problems.
He's been keeping me sane and happy. I know there are far bigger blows ahead and I should just be ready to face them with faith and a positive outlook. I just hope I can keep this aura and persona longer. God has never given up on me on my dreams. Why should I? 
Chai
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