The Grand "Cosplay" On Chinese New Year: Gilbert's First "Cosplay" Experience

- January 31, 2013, Friday, Chinese New Year.

- People who are acquainted with me would know that I simply adore wearing cultural or culturally-inspired attires on a regular basis. I might wear something a bit fancy during formal occasions, and wear my theatrical costumes during special-but-not-formal occasions. Today, I decided to do something a bit different, and walk around Chinatown with my grand Qing-Dynasty costume to fully embody the Chinese-New-Year vibe. I wanted to cosplay as "the fat boy on the angpao." Some angpaos or new year banners/posters feature a chubby boy and a chubby girl holding symbols of well wishes or sometimes, even little angpaos of their own.

- I met up with my college friend Rap and strolled along Chinatown to take photographs of the merrymaking - apparently, I soon became a part of the merrymaking, with people taking photographs with me and my garb. We later decided to have lunch, although finding a place was extremely difficult, since it was lunch time. We had no choice but to go to Lucky Chinatown's food court for a quick lunch.

Holding a dragon.

First few people who came up to me for photos.

- We went back to Ongpin where many people one again took photos of me and my costume. I really felt guilty that Rap would usually stand at the side while he waited for me to finish my almost non-stop photo-op. I was beginning to feel weary too, although sharply refusing to take photographs with people might make the people think that I was a snobbish hypocrite (that is, having a nice costume but not wanting to be photographed.) Haha. Worse, Rap would sometimes be the photographer for the people. I'm glad Rap was a good sport (not to mention he was a good photographer too.)

Another dragon.

Can't get enough of lions.

And can't get enough of holding lions.

The epitome of celebrating Chinese New Year in Binondo Chinatown.

Preparing for my moment.

My full costume and looks of curiosity from everyone.

Of course I knew they wanted to have a photo with me. LOL. 

- We went to Golden Fortune to have dimsum. For the first time, dimsum afternoon was a semi-disaster afternoon, because the kitchen had to constantly work double-time to fill all the orders, and so not all dimsum items were available, unless we were willing to wait an eternity for our order to be prepared. We just had some dimsum items that were readily available. They were yummy, still.

Hello Rapppp. Finally we can have Chinese food. :D:D:D:D

Some lions and a dragon went inside Golden Fortune.

Dropped by Shirby's store after Rap left.

Cute kiddo!! :D:D:D:D

Jose Mari Chan.

Buddha statue at the Lucky Chinatown alley.

- Rap had to go afterwards, and I had to go back to Chinatown and Lucky Chinatown. As expected more people came to me and asked to have some photographs with me. When I reached Lucky Chinatown, I was fortunate to have had a glimpse of Jose Mari Chan performing before having a small conversation with a friend. Even until I was about to ride a trike home, more people came to be for photos. Now, I am really really tired from all the people and the crowd itself, but I am very happy that I was able to do something bold for the new year, and it was a nice experience sharing my culture in this manner with mostly non-Chinese people. (And at least I was able to wear my red Qing-Dynasty changzhuang on the streets; I've only worn it to a photoshoot at home, and for a report on China in school.)