NANABI

Sese as Blue Rose from Tiger & Bunny

Q: Looking back at your old cosplays, what has been that one costume that you cannot let go no matter what? Can you explain why?

A: Hmmm…. To be exact none of my old costumes are still intact. I have sold them or turned them into regular clothing (I upcycled them). As much as I don’t wanna let go of my Default Kagamin Rin and Yowane Haku costume, I have to let them go due to closet space and well bad memories that are tied to them. Letting go of these costumes is a sign for me that I have moved on. But definitely, if there is an old cosplay costume of mine that I will never let go or sell, it would be my Seth Nightroad Empire Version costume. 

 I’ve cosplayed Seth’s empire version last year but upon finishing her costume I know in my heart even if I cannot wear the costume anymore, I could never ever let go. I think it’s my love for the character. I love Seth Night so much that I laboured on her costume no matter how hard it was. The beading and recreating the details were pain in the ass. I lost a good amount of sleep in making her costume. It was also hard cosplaying her because the costume is a bit heavy and hot. But I didn’t mind. I love Seth that much.

Sese as Komatsuhime from Samurai Warriors II

Q: In your own opinion, what kind of trait/attitude should every cosplayer possess in order to enjoy the hobby to the fullest?

A: I think the traits or attitudes that a cosplayer should possess would be:

(1). HUMILITY – The more you progress into a cosplayer, the better you get, the more people would notice you and let’s admit it, you’re gonna get popular. When you go to conventions, people would approach you telling they’re a fan; ask for a photo from you etc. etc. You should have HUMILITY. In fact even if you’re not yet popular, be humble.

(2). TENACITY & FLEXIBILITY – You should have the drive, the determination in cosplay. You have to be firm. Tenacity that no matter how people see cosplay or see you as a cosplayer you will not be deterred. Have the determination to push through in cosplaying a character you would love to do. You should also have the flexibility at the same time. Be flexible in the characters you are cosplaying. If you think your personality does not match the character you wanna cosplay, then you have to exert some effort and flexibility in there. For e.g. when I cosplayed Ranka Lee. I love Ranka and I was determined to cosplay her even just once. Ranka’s bubbly personality does not suit my personality so it was hard for me in portraying her but I manage to pull through. A good balance of tenacity and flexibility goes a long way.

(3). CREATIVITY – Lets admit it, cosplay is an artistic body. Most cosplayers I know have an artistic bone in their body. If you’re creative and innovative, then finding ways how to cosplay a certain character will do you good like upcycling old clothes, customizing them to look like a character’s costume, recycling some old fabric into parts of your cosplay etc. etc.

(4). PASSION – You gotta have the passion if you wanna stay long in this hobby and not lose sight of it. You will do better and improve better if you’re passionate about it. Always try to find something good that motivates you in cosplaying no matter how ugly and dirty cosplay politics can get.

(5). PATIENCE – Yes, patience. You need lots of it. Cosplaying especially if you’re starting out can be frustrating. It’s also the same for someone like me who has been into this hobby for a long time. There are times when things just don’t work out your way. Your costume nor finished on time, your wig not cooperating with you, your props falling apart, photoshoots gets rescheduled etc. You gotta have patience and it’s a virtue you build over the years.

Sese as Cammy White from Street Fighter

Q: What has been your "cosplay motto"? Or rather, a motto you live by whenever you start on a cosplay?

A: I’ve never had a cosplay motto or nindo but I guess if there is one thing I am proud to say all the time when it comes to this hobby is, “Cosplay should always be fun.”

Q: Based on your own experience, what's your favorite part in every cosplay that you do? (sewing, make-up etc)

A: The final outcome. Hahaha. My favourite part of cosplaying is the final outcome. Of course, this is where everything is finished. Your costume, your make-up, the photos blah blah. By appreciating the outcome, you get to appreciate the work you have done, from the time you bought your fabrics, the time you’re sewing, the time you’re styling your wig or putting on your make-up. You get to love the process and the outcome is out, you get to love it more. That’s why the outcome is my favourite part of cosplaying.

Sese as Rin Kagamine from VOCALOID

-Eager Love Revenge Version-

Q: We all experience our ups and downs when we engage ourselves in this hobby. But for you, who/what has served as your strength to continue on with your passion even with the trials that occurs?

A: We all know compliments and praises is a source for you to continue on to this hobby. It’s a source of strength. But I think nothing beats the support of your love ones when it comes to this hobby. I know my parents are not that supportive but I get it from my friends and fellow otakus out there. Moral support goes a long way. You just need to reassure yourself that you’re not alone in this thing.

Q: How long have you been cosplaying? Can you share to us the things you've learned and discovered during the years you were active in the hobby?

A: Wow, this is gonna reveal how old I am in this community. I’ve been cosplaying since 2006 so that’s 8 years already. So what have I discovered along my journey as a cosplayer? I’ve learned that make-up is a wonderful tool in transforming your face into someone else, that wigs are awesome hair accessories and it saves me from bad hair days, that if I am creative enough I can transform normal wardrobe into a costume as long as it fits the bill and vice versa. I’ve discovered that whenever I buy shoes, I will try to think if I can use it for everyday life, office and for cosplay at the same time. I’ve discovered that going to Divisoria to buy materials for cosplay can actually equate to a full day doing cardio exercise. It’s also a great discovery that through cosplay I can wear 7 inch platform heels and totter around them for more than 6 hours without keeling over. Also I learned that, I can actually survive eating only every after cosplay and just live on water or softdrink while in costume. I’ve also discovered that I can budget my money and plan where to debut a certain cosplay depending on how much I have in my piggy bank. I’ve realized that I can actually sew my own costume to lessen my frustration that my seamstress have sewn my costume wrong again, which I’ve been doing since last year.

I’ve realized that cosplay can actually boost up someone’s self-confidence if they’re doing it right. That through cosplay, you can meet a lot of people, have a lot of friends and share fandoms with them. I’ve discovered that cosplay can actually bring me places and gain me friends not just locally but internationally as well. I’ve gained the knowledge and the truth in fact that cosplay is about having fun and expressing your love for the fandom. Through cosplay, I’ve discovered those who are true and not true to me. I’ve discovered the bakcstabbers, the liars and the people no matter how I transform into a monster will always be there for me. Through cosplay. I’ve realized that my life is nothing but ordinary and is very unique and I’m damn proud of it.

There are so many things I’ve discovered and learned I will continue learning and discovering them. As what they say, LEARNING NEVER STOPS.

Q: Okay, a situational question. Let's say you're already in the stage of your cosplay career that you can say "it's time to retire for good." Would you be willing to let go your cosplayer side and go back to just being Sese?

A: There is life outside cosplay. It’s something I’ve learned and if tomorrow I say I wanna retire and not cosplay again, it will be all right. I won’t die without it. There are other things that is as worth as cosplaying. But let’s say I will retire then I will accept and embrace it wholeheartedly. I mean, if I quit it doesn’t mean I will stop being an otaku. No. It won’t. It’s just that I don’t have the capacity to cosplay anymore. But as long as I have and the means to, then let’s do this!

Sese as Stocking Anarchy from 

Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt

Q: What message can you leave to the people who have supported you and cheered you on?

A: To those people who believed in me and supported me in this hobby. Thank you. It may sound like I'm actress or someone who won an award for saying this but it's the truth. Without you guys, without your support and your encouragement I won't be here. I would have never lasted in this hobby and I would have probably gave up. Thank you and I can never thank you enough.

Q: What advice can you give to those who are interested in joining the hobby? What would you like them to keep in mind if they ever decide to enter the world of cosplay?

A:  The best advice I can give to the new ones out there and to those who wants to get into the hobby is that never forget the FUN part of cosplay. Cosplay is supposed to be fun and we do it for FUN. Also, always remember that LEARNING NEVER STOPS, keep learning and be creative. Also don't get discouraged when someone criticized your cosplay as fail or not really good. Even I had bad cosplays when I was starting out. Take those criticisms and those insults as a driving force to be better. Remember do not take them too heart. Just keep them in mind that these criticisms and insult someday will be nothing because you will improve and you will get better. Also remember that RESEARCH is your best friend and Google is always available to help you out. And lastly, never get discouraged from people who knows nothing about the hobby and is just there to troll you. They know NOTHING and but you do and you know better than that. BE SMART and borrowing a saying from a friend, "Be Cool Guys."

Again, remember, NEVER FORGET the FUN in COSPLAY.

Well everyone, our amazing interview with the talented Sese has now come to an end. In my honest opinion, HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS GAL? She's such an inspiration and as I read her responses, she definitely possess the heart of a true cosplayer. We all can become famous, but there's only a handful of people who retain a heart filled with the passion it was born from. Always remember guys, this hobby is for FUN. Never make the mistake of being clouded with wrong interpretations. 

I hope you all enjoyed this feature on one of our talented cosplayers here in the Philippines! I had a lot of fun learning so many new things from Sese and of course getting the chance to get to know her more as well! 

Make sure to support Sese! Do not forget to visit her pages before you leave! ♥

World Cosplay