Amazing Japanese performers Aya Ikeda and Loverin Tamburin will be headlining Cosplay Mania ’14’s JAM Concert on October 3 and 4,2014 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Barely having arrived in the country, they were gracious in granting the media a fun and enlightening press briefing courtesy of Cosplay Mania ’14’s organizers, Cosplay.PH. The staff of arkadymac.com was there to bring you the action along with our friends from the local otaku media.
The press conference started promptly at 4 in the afternoon with Cosplay Mania’s New Media Coordinator Rochelle laying down the guidelines for the affair as well as introducing their distinguished guests.
Cosplay.PH President Pablo Bairan was there personally to give keen insights on Cosplay Mania as a phenomenon and Cosplay.PH being a proponent of the innovation and change within the local cosplay community and how it has flourished tremendously over the past couple of years. He also stressed how this year’s JAM Concert will be an integral part in Cosplay Mania’s evolution, as music will be seen more and more as a driving and uniting force that brings the community together. Starting out the concept with great local independent bands in the past, Cosplay Mania will now be featuring international artists that have had great reputations and talent and have them perform before an eager Filipino audience.
The press briefing promptly started soon after with a bit of a tension in the air, but as everyone settled in, it turned out that everyone was just feeling each other out and the atmosphere became more friendly and light-hearted. Aya Ikeda and Loverin Tamburin’s Nagao and Aya were candid and forthcoming in answering the many questions the press in attendance had for them. Aya Ikeda is a Japanese singer, performer and composer whose prominent work include theme songs for the Precure anime series. She had also performed the theme songs for online games “Finding Neverland Online” and “Harezora Monogatari.” She has also had well-received performances in many cities in her native Japan as well as performing at some of the biggest anime conventions in the United States. She was witty and insightful during our interview with her as we got to learn more how deeply connected she is with music and how she looks forward to performing for her Filipino fans. She says that she has been enjoying her stay so far in the Philippines, particularly with enjoying our local delicacies like adobo.
Loverin Tamburin’s Aya and Nagao were also delightful during our interview with them and describes the Philippines as a wonderful country as they notice that the people are always happy and smiling. Loverin Tamburin is a performance band who has made a name for itself in their native Japan, having their songs featured in prominent animes like the opening theme for Disgaea and the ending theme for Natsuhiro Drops. They have also been invited and have performed in Europe and America and says they’re excited having their first performance in the Philippines.
Aya was as witty as she was pleasant as she shared her insights on their music and how enjoyable it was to have taken part in animes. She is enjoying her stay in the Philippines so far, and stresses how much she loves sinigang and other local delicacies.
Nagao also shared how their band got started with their mutual love for music and how it has been an exciting journey getting to perform all over the world. He was frank with his replies and was looking forward to having a great time with everyone during their stay in the country.
After the many questions we had the opportunity to ask them, the press briefing ended with a short photo session with the esteemed guests, and they were indeed lovely in their chosen ensembles. They in turn warmly invite everyone to come and watch their performances at Cosplay Mania ’14’s JAM Concert on October 4 and 5 at Function Hall 5 of the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia. They say they are really are excited to be performing in front of a Filipino audience for the very first time.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again as we continue our coverage of Cosplay Mania ’14, the biggest cosplay event in the country this year.
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