I finally got to wreck it!

After long months, I finally got to "wreck it"! (And after a week, I finally got to write about it. LOL)

I'm talking about finally cosplaying as Wreck-It Ralph.

After seeing the commercials promoting the movie, I said that I'm gonna watch it on its premiere, and ever since I watched that movie, I had this idea to dress up as Ralph. I can relate to him in a handful of ways, that's why I thought portraying him will be a good idea.

And of course, the main reason why I watched the movie in the first place is that a lot of video game characters familiar to me make cameos in it.

Anyway, like I said, I relate to Ralph, because he's perceived as the bad guy in the game he's in, much like I was during college, but enough about that.

What I really admire about Ralph is that he made an effort to prove that he too can be a hero. Sure, he couldn't be the hero in his own game, but he became someone else's hero. That somehow parallels with my own story, because I realize that while there will always be people who only see the bad in me, what's more important is that there are those who see beyond that and accept me for being me, no matter how good or bad I may be. Thanks to this movie, I've come to a better understanding and acceptance of myself, and it's best summarized by this very memorable quote:

"I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be...than me."

Going back to my thoughts of planning to cosplay as Ralph, though, while I like the idea, I didn't know where to start. I could only entertain the thoughts, but I was too preoccupied with other stuff to push it through...

...or so I thought.

When I celebrated my birthday last January, I received a gift from two people who I have the great admiration for as cosplayers, who I'm lucky to be able to call my friends. Jin and Miguel gave me a Wreck-It Ralph toy.

It was a sign. It was THE sign.

Apparently, aside from me, there were also some people who could see me cosplaying as Ralph, and in my mind, I want to let them see it in the flesh. So as soon as I had the funds, I commissioned two other cosplay friends of mine to prepare the costume. I planned to wear it at Ozine.

Things didn't go as planned, though, because I went to Davao for work days before the event, and arrived back in Manila on Friday night (or rather, early Saturday morning). Even worse, I got sick, so I couldn't attend at all. Not to mention that the costume was not finished by that time. I had no choice but to heal up and wait for another chance.

I received my costume sometime later, but I had to have it altered due to some inconsistencies with the reference pic and my body size. Good thing my mom was all game for the sewing, and the jumper looked nearly similar to Ralph's. My friend did a real great paint job on my shirt, too, that's why I couldn't be more excited.

What actually happened to be the pain in the rear is wearing the make-up and the wrecking fists.

But it was worth it.
Photo by Thomas Regala

I couldn't help but be in awe of the reaction of the people, especially my friends and acquaintances, when they saw me wearing the costume at ToyCon. They said that the resemblance was uncanny; I have my costume makers and myself to thank for.

It may not seem so, but Jin said she's glad that she finally saw me wreck it.
That compliment alone is a big confidence boost.

Even though I didn't join the cosplay competition, I was already fine with people taking pictures of me in my costume. That is my idea of fun when attending events nowadays.

Yep, this is my idea of fun.
Anrie, cosplaying as Eren Jaeger, attempts to slay the "Wrecking Titan".

It's also worth mentioning that I've met new friends after attending ToyCon. It's really humbling when people tell me they appreciate my cosplay. That is one of the reasons why I think I'll be cosplaying for a very long while, and why I look forward to attending the upcoming events.

I don't know how I should conclude this journal entry, so I'll just post this picture here.

"I'M GONNA WRECK IT!"