Setting a record last year for being the biggest nationwide series of cosplay competitions ever with 12 legs all over the country and giving away more than 20,000 pesos in cash at each leg, Cosplay Craze comes back even bigger and better than before, with even bigger cash prizes and more attractions in store for everyone as it had its official launch at upscale SM City BF Parañaque. With competitors and casual cosplayers making their way to the venue from all over the metro, the first of many legs of Cosplay Craze events all around the country turned out to be an exciting, fun and competitive afternoon for the cosplay community. And best of all, every Cosplay Craze event is FREE.
Sponsored by SM Cyberzone and organized by cosplay.ph, Cosplay Craze had begun bringing absolutely free events closer to where the cosplayers are, offering huge prizes and giveaways that even major events can’t match. But most of all, it has given cosplayers a reason to meet up with others like them within their communities and have an enjoyable, non-cramped, stress-free afternoon of cosplay fun.
Cosplay Craze has been SM Cyberzone’s promotional series of events since 2015. Already the premier hub for consumer technology with 29 locations all over the country, Cyberzone has striven to provide the most interactive and most technological experience to its patrons. It is also known for holding the some of the biggest gaming and tech-related events in the country, and it has been especially supportive of cosplaying, holding many cosplay events all around the country In addition, this nation-wide tour would be partnered with technology giants Canon, HP and Lenovo.
Cosplayers and enthusiasts have gathered from Manila and the surrounding areas at the event area since the mall opened. Cosplayers were asked to register so that they could take part in the competition. Throughout the afternoon, pre-judging was carried out by a formidable panel of judges.
While waiting for the program to start, cosplayers and mall patrons alike enjoyed the features and freebies from the sponsors HP Omen and Canon.
The main program was set to begin later in the afternoon, and the cosplayers used the time before then to prepare for the competition, socialize with each other, have their photos taken by the mall patrons, or just take it easy with their friends.
The event proper started off with the Cosplay Parade where the cosplayers made a round of the mall in their striking and colorful costumes. Mall patrons couldn’t get enough of them as they snapped away on phones and cameras and took videos as well.
Once they got to the event area, the program got to start with hosts Pablo Bairan and Aki welcoming everyone to the very first leg of Cyberzone Cosplay Craze this year. They did a splendid job of getting the audience pumped and excited for the event. They then got to call all the cosplayers on stage by batches to present them in front of the judges and the curious but appreciative crowd that has gathered around them.
From among all these cosplayers, the esteemed panel of judges made up by Lenni Elagado, Robert Wong and Ian Cartalaba got to choose 20 competitors who would be moving on to the final round. Each was already assured of 1,000 pesos cash, and each got to give a performance showcasing their skills and talents on stage.
After their marvelous performances, the scores were tallied and while waiting for the results, the sponsors had their respective segments.
Named Champion of the SM City BF Parañaque Cyberzone Cosplay Craze Launch and winning the 50,000-peso grand prize as well as an assured slot at tthe Cosplay Mania Cup at Cosplay Mania ’17 was Isamu Sichirou as Yi Sun-Shin of Mobile Legends. Ae Ri was Runner-up as Astalos Armor (Gunner Type) from Monster Hunter Generation, winning 30, 000 pesos in cash.
Congratulations gto the winners, and many thanks to all the cosplayers who have taken part in the first episode of many other Cosplay Craze tours in many cities around the country. For the succeeding legs, 3rd Place will be receiving P8,000 cash, 2nd Place receiving P15,000 cash and the grand prize winner taking home a staggering P30,000 cash and securing a slot in the Cosplay Mania Cup 2017 where even bigger prizes are at stake.
Please also take a look at our Videographer Ianah’s Vlog of the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFLnSGWsLoo
There will be 11 more legs this year including SM Seaside, Cebu on May 13, SM Cabanatuan on May 27, SM General Santos on June 10, SM San Jose Del Monte on June 24, SM Bacolod on July 8, SM San Pablo on July 22, SM Megacenter Cabanatuan on August 5, SM Naga on August 19, SM City Molino on September 2 and finally SM Baguio on September 16, and SM North Edsa at at soon to be announced date. We hope to see you there.
Many thanks to our photographers Ianah and Nicolette and Teptep for helping us cover the event.
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