Arts & Culture

The Callithump

A parade of costumes, the youth quake pop culture that is Cosplay. Designer pieces and character ensembles give fashion a push towards fantasy eye-candy.

At the end of the day, after all the time and money that goes into it, I’d say it was definitely worth it” says Andrea Chy, just one of the many involved in the latest movement to hit the city. Short for “costume play,” Cosplay is a world of its own. In Cosplay, fans dress up (and often in the most extreme sense) to portray a character from a favorite work of fiction. The characters can come from their beloved Manga (Japanese comics) or Anime (Japanese animated cartoons) but can also include any fictional character from popular culture like Harry Potter or Star Wars.

While Cosplay is Japanese in origin, the practice has been around since superheroes hit the comic books. Nobody can really say for sure how it all started. The only thing we do know is that the term “Cosplay” was coined in 1984 at the Los Angeles Science Fiction convention “Worldcon” to describe exactly what was going on. The characters they portray may be purely fictional, but the hype that surrounds Cosplay is very real.

Whether you see them as performance artists or die-hard fanatics, those that attend these Cosplay conventions are the dedicated people of the anime community; among them, most notably, the Cebu Cosplayers Club. After all, they’re all volunteers. No expense is spared in the character’s costumes. Expect to shell out between PHP 3,000- PHP5,000 for just a wig! A custom-made costume should set you back by over ten grand, at least. As David Cua, another avid Cosplayer puts it: “You express your admiration through time, effort and money.” With the amount they spend for costumes, one can’t help but ask: just what is it about Cosplay that draws these people in? Why do they do it?

“It’s a form of escape, it’s like you get to be someone else for a day,” says Andrea, “It’s all about the experience like stepping into another world. To Cosplayers it’s all about perfection,” says David. Either get the look right, or don’t bother Cosplaying at all is something any avid fashion enthusiast can relate to. “It’s about showing your admiration for the character. You don’t just have to look the part, you have got to portray the essence of who they are; their personality and morals. It’s like you’re indirectly telling others just how much the character has influenced you in some way,” says David.

Cosplay is a little more than just people playing dress-up. “It’s a whole other culture,” according to Jessica Ouano. The rising culture owes its roots to Japanese pop culture that has blossomed uniquely on its own. The fashion is both directly influenced by, and influences modern Japanese street fashion. It’s a form of role-playing that adheres to a code of ethics and morals revolving around camaraderie and good clean fun. At events, they pose for photographers, and onlookers are free to have their pictures taken with them at any time. “It’s not something you can put into words; you’d have to be there to describe it,” says Andrea.

Being a Cosplayer is a membership into an eccentric community. Andrea shares, one of Cosplay’s perks; “I can meet more people I can relate with, it’s fun to get together with people who share the same interests!” The phenomenon has also created communities such as the CCC (Cebu Cosplayers Club), GECCO (Gathering of Enthusiastic Cebuano Coplayers), and CARF (Cosplay and Anime Related Friends).

Call it a trend, a movement or a culture, Cosplay is many things to many people. Regardless of what it is, one thing remains clear: like the sticky Japanese rice, it’s here to stay.

by Kairos Alo sittings editor David Jones Cua photography Anne Lorraine Uy lighting assistant Ryan Salvatorre Riveral

fashion styling Mia Arcenas and Alyssa Lao hair stylist Mae Gonzaga make-up artists Joe Branzuela, Arianna Gajudo, and Christine Francia models Jessica Ouano, Yuki Akai, Miles Semblante, Ed Buenaviaje of LINES production assistant Rizbelle Ostrea

locale Bubble Bee Tea House, Family Park documentation Trishia Lim

Arts & Culture

Art Beat: Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Vinta by Protegeri, collaboration art piece by Leeroy New, Solenn Heuseff and Vito Selma

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

The Standard by Thai artist Pitchapa at the Triangular durational, performance art.

Bato Bato sa Langit by Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco

Stocking Proportions Menumpuk Proporsi by Indonesian artist Labadiou Piko

Untitled by Indonesian artist Yunizar

Filipiny, wool tapestry by national artist of the Philippines,Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Untitled by German artist Valentin Elias Renner

Interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino is also a regular contributor for zee.ph

Arts & Culture

Visayas Art Fair Year 5: Infinite Perspectives, Unbound Creativity

by Jing Ramos

This year’s Visayas Art Fair marks its 5th anniversary, celebrating the theme “Infinite Perspectives: Unbound Creativity.” The fair continues its mission of bridging creativity, culture, and community in the country. This milestone edition strengthens its partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and expands collaborations with regional art organizations and collectives—reinforcing its role as a unifying platform for Philippine art.

VAF5 features the works of Gil Francis Maningo, honoring the mastery of his gold leaf technique on opulent portraits of the Visayan muse Carmela, reflecting spiritual awareness.

Gil Francis Maningo is celebrated for his gold leaf technique.

Gil Francis Maningo’s recurring theme of his Visayan muse “Carmela”.

Another featured artist is Danny Rayos del Sol, whose religious iconography of Marian-inspired portraits offers a profound meditation on the sacred and the sublime. This collaboration between two visual artists sparks a dialogue on the Visayan spirit of creativity and resilience. Titled “Pasinaya,” this dual showcase explores gold leaf as a medium of light and transcendence.

Artist Danny Reyes del Sol

Danny Reyes del Sol’s religious iconography.

Now in its fifth year, the Visayas Art Fair has influenced a community of artists, gallerists, brokers, collectors, museum curators, and art critics—constructing a narrative that shapes how we approach and understand the artist and his work. This combination of factors, destined for popular consumption, illustrates the ways in which art and current culture have found common ground in a milieu enriched by the promise of increased revenue and the growing value of artworks.

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair, elaborates on the theme, expressing a vision that celebrates the boundless imagination of unique artistic voices:

“Infinite Perspectives speaks of the countless ways artists see, interpret, and transform the world around them—reminding us that creativity knows no single point of view. Unbound Creativity embodies freedom from convention and controlled expression, allowing every artist to explore and experiment without borders.”

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair has tirelessly championed the creative arts for the past five years.

Arts & Culture

Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Art that Speaks of Today

by Jose Carlos G. Campos, Board of Trustees National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently teamed up to prove that money isn’t just for counting—it’s also for curating! Their latest joint exhibition, Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Contemporary Art from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection, is now open, and it’s a real treat for art lovers and culture buffs alike.

On display are gems from the BSP’s contemporary art collection, including masterpieces by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab), along with works by Onib Olmedo, Brenda Fajardo, Antipas Delotavo, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, and many more. Some of the artists even showed up in person—Charlie Co, Junyee, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Demi Padua, Joey Cobcobo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Gerardo Tan, Melvin Culaba—while others sent their family representatives, like Mayumi Habulan and Jeudi Garibay. Talk about art running in the family!

Deputy Governor General of the BSP, Berna Romulo Puyat

Chairman of NMP, Andoni Aboitiz

The BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. and members of the Monetary Board joined the event, alongside former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Ms. Tess Espenilla (wife of the late Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.), and the ever-graceful former Central Bank Governor Jaime C. Laya, who gave a short but enlightening talk about the BSP art collection.

From the NMP, Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy Barns, and fellow trustees NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, Carlo Ebeo, and Jose Carlos Garcia-Campos also graced the occasion. Chairman Aboitiz expressed gratitude to the BSP for renewing its partnership, calling the exhibition a shining example of how financial institutions can also enrich our cultural wealth.

Former Governor of BSP Jaime Laya

Governor of BSP Eli M. Remona and Chairman of NMP Board Andoni Aboitiz

Artist Charlie Co

Before the official launch, a special media preview was held on 5 August, hosted by BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and DG Jeremy Barns. It gave lucky guests a sneak peek at the collection—because sometimes, even art likes to play “hard to get.”

The exhibition Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan will run until November 2027 at Galleries XVIII and XIX, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts. Doors are open daily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. So if you’re looking for something enriching that won’t hurt your wallet (admission is free!), this is your sign to visit. After all, the best kind of interest is cultural interest.