This will be about my experience attending Fantasy Quest for the first time. There have been three, but it was only this year that I thought of going.
The main reason for my decision to go there—if it wasn't my only reason—was to reunite with some of the friends I met at Anime Festival Asia last year: I heard that they were going to be special guests in the event, and I kind of miss them, and want to see them again.
I could spare some cash for the VIP event on the 24th, but it got sold out before I could even order. I also wasn't able to buy a ticket during the pre-selling, because I chose not to attend the previous conventions before FQ. I thought that I should just go to the venue early on the 25th.
But still, regrets.
I would've gone on to dress up as Rugal Bernstein because the venue looks elegant in the pictures and he looks like a nobleman, but I remembered that my international friends have already seen me wore it in AFA last year. My most recent, Wreck-It Ralph, isn't exactly a fantasy-themed character either, but I remembered that there would be cosplayers going in there dressed up as Disney Princesses, so I decided to go "wreck it" again.
I met up with my buddy Gene at North EDSA before we headed for the venue. While waiting for me, he saw this taxi.
And it was a good thing that I decided to go as Ralph, because it felt like a sauna inside that greenhouse, and wearing Rugal would've been a disaster. Well, Ralph was still sort of a disaster in himself that day.
Like always, I had my camera along. I would alternate between wearing my "wrecking arms" to have my pictures taken and taking them off to take pictures myself.
Then I finally saw my AFA friends Arthur and Hime. It's been nine months since we saw each other in the flesh, so it really felt like a reunion. Hime was specially excited because she has never seen me "wreck it".
It was exactly my personal definition of "cosplaying for fun".
One of the highlights of the event was the special guest: Japanese cosplayer Usagi. I looked forward to meeting her, but again, my luck ran out, because they had already closed the line for the meet-and-greet when I reached the program premises.
Or so I thought.
I learned that they were selling Usagi's photobook, and she would return for the autograph signing. Good thing there were still some copies left, so I didn't dare miss it and got in line to buy it. I even had a coscard prepared to give to her.
I don't know what they said to them about me, but it made me feel like they're treating me as a big-time cosplayer. I guess my they never fail to troll me, but I think it's a mutual thing, anyway, so let's let them have their dose of trolling revenge.
I was reluctant to ask female cosplayers to partner up with me during the slow dances because I was too shy to ask. But something told me at the back of my mind that there would be something missing in my FQ experience if I didn't, so I manned the heck up. I got to partner up with my friends Hime, Chesra and Jeyel.
It was a new and fun experience, especially when I danced with Jeyel; an impromptu boyband formed and backed us up. It's at 4:18 of the video below.
And then there was the party dance. That's the one that's not my cup of tea. I don't know if you would believe me when I say that I don't really dance.
...Unless I know the song.
I'm not really the type who likes to dance; instead, I like to troll by dancing. That's what I did when they played PSY's "Gentleman". It's at 7:25 of the video below, but you might want to watch it from the beginning to see another epic boyband.
Usagi was back to see the dance, and I think I can say that she was totally amused, especially when I emerged from the back to take the center spot on stage, wearing my glasses and looking like "Wreck-It PSY". She took a picture with us after the dance to remember the awesomeness.
And I'll make sure to get a VIP pass next time.
As for my ever-present cosplay friends—Gene, Marko, Jin, Gibs, Parugs, Wilbert, Ryan, Andrew, Jeyel, Kyo, Zell, Alvin, Kevin, Nat, Katz, Gaby, Doms, Erving, Resh, Ken Koy, Abu, Sese, Quakey, Lunaru, Ray, and all that I failed to name—I think my expression of gratitude is unnecessary, but still, many thanks for always bringing a bigger level of awesomeness to the events I attend. To those who I've got acquainted to for the first time, I look forward to seeing you in future events. And of course, I extend my warmest congratulations to the organizers for a very successful event.
To those who I failed to see—Anna and Zeasonal—Y U NO LET ME SEE YOU!? T_T
Anyway, please excuse me as fixate I gaze upon this awesome picture book...