LA BUENA VIDA: When Fantasy Becomes Reality: Cebu Nihon Matsuri

What happens when your favorite anime characters come to life? The big chances are, you are not dreaming. Probably, you are just in a Japanese Festival or cosplay event. Last October 20, 2012, fantasy and reality merged in Shopwise Shopping Center (Basak, San Nicolas) for the very first Cebu Nihon Matsuri!

The whole day event was filled with a lot of activities. From anime sketching competition, Shougi mini tournament, origami, ikebana, kimono demonstration, tea ceremony, Japanese film screening, and cosplay, you will probably think twice if you are still Cebu or you have been transported to Japan absolutely free!

The gloomy weather made my commute a bit challenging. When I arrived, I was just in time before they would start the cosplay competition. Honestly, I did not know what to expect because it was my first time to view a cosplay competition. The cosplayers actually made the venue very colorful, so I made an assumption that it was going to be fun underneath the rainy dark sky!

When the participants started the short parade along the aisle, the fun indeed has started. The energy of the audience and the place shoot up the roof because of the presence of the cosplayers.

Cebu Nihon Matsuri's final event was the J-Pop Rock Band Competition, with 3 bands competing for the prized first place position. While they were playing, I was reminiscing my childhood, the period in my life when my imagination was hyperactive. It was very great hearing them sing in Nipponggo! Filipinos are indeed great singers!

These are the Cosplay judges all of which are from Japan!

Smiles!!!

Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.

Super Mario won the cosplay competition!
(Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.)

Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.

This is my favorite costume of all! This Japanese kid wears the traditional samurai costume. Soooooo cool!
Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.

Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.

This cute girl gave an awesome jazz dance during the intermission.
Photo taken from Facebook account of ETHOS Corp.

Atty. Totol Batuhan graced the event with warm greetings in behalf of the Cebu City Government, throwing in a few lines of our favorite Voltes V opening theme!