Frustrating Things Cosplay Con Photographers Do

A photographer wants to take photos with you. Yay! That’s a good thing. It means they share your love for the fandom, or they found your costume impressive. But there are some times that there are habits they do that can leave me feeling frustrated and wishing I never stood in front of a DSLR. 

I won’t say that it’s fully the photographer’s fault–from my perspective, I really am not the most photograph-able cosplayer there is. I tend to look better in person then on film, and I normally choose costumes that are more fabric-based and not have weaponry/armors (as I make 100% of my costumes often “If you can’t do it yourself, don’t do it” is so me–and I suck making weapons). This means I lack enough props to interact with/pose with, so my pose choices are limited, and we all know in PH cons there isn’t an environment to interact with either. But nevertheless here are things they do that I find frustrating.

Where to Rent: Cosplay Costumes in the Philippines

Since I noticed many people were looking for where they can rent costumes locally, I figured it was high-time I made a post about recommended places to rent great quality costumes. You may need these for an office party, a one-time photoshoot, or even for a contest. Also, at the end I included my personal notes on renting.

Now let’s start with some Rent Shops / Costume Owners that I know of! In no particular order. I am not affiliated with any of the shops. I’m posting them here based on my experiences with them, based on what I see and hear about them (totally legit and has good feedbacks) and some may be run by acquaintances. The facebook page links are all included so you may contact THEM at their respective pages. Don’t ask me if I rent out my stuff, coz I don’t. xD 

Hobbies, for a Cause! Raffles and Sales for Typhoon Haiyan Victims

A lot of people made a big fuss in the news over what is supposedly the “strongest typhoon ever to hit land in the world” which was scheduled to hit our country, the Philippines. I was pretty “meh” over it because there have been many instances where the weather bureau and the government cancelled classes over predictions of bad weather that never came true. But boy, was I wrong. The typhoon hit, and it hit with all its might.

Our country is made up of 7000+ islands, and this islet in Visayas was almost washed off the map. Entire cities and provinces ended up looking worse, or similar. This after what’s confirmed to be the strongest typhoon the modern world has ever experienced.

(Source of photo and more photos here: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/photos/yolanda-damage-in-samar-slideshow/)

Our Favorite Resort: Doña Jovita Resort

Recent pictures from our Doña Jovita trip go here.

If you want a to go on a summer vacation where you can swim in either cool water or hot spring-waters, be one with nature and go on a hike, and have a lot of wonderful photos, you have to go to Doña Jovita in Laguna. It’s our favorite getaway, easy to reach if you live in Calamba (like I do), and fairly inexpensive–you get the quality for your money. Recently they have also improved their site to be able to accommodate weddings and such. My family and relatives have been going to Doña Jovita for almost seven (?!) years now. We make it a habit to drop by once a year.

TIP: If you want a peaceful, quiet atmosphere, don’t go there at April or May. Be a boss like me and my aunt and go there on February, or early March. We were, literally, save for the staff, the only people in the resort.

How to get there:
From Calamba, ride a jeep that will go to UP Los Banos. Say Dona Jovita and you’re set. Tell the driver to drop you off.

Revisiting Intramuros

My aunt and I walked around a place both dear to our hearts recently–Intramuros. We grew up here. She grew up here in her youth and I did, too, for almost ten years of my life. Every now and then we take it upon ourselves to go back to where we all originally were from. We love seeing the changes, the improvements, and the things that haven’t changed at all.
One big change that wasn’t there four years ago when I still frequented Intramuros because of studying there was The Bayleaf Hotel.