AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2015 is this week's hot event for all pop culture fanatics. It's the first ever Asian pop culture convention in the region featuring all things comics, film, toys, collectibles, animation, games, cosplay, superheroes — everything pop culture to keep any kind of geek in you giddy. APCC Manila will also feature internationally renowned artists, celebrities, and guests–an impressive mix of pop culture personalities, like Chad Michael Murray and Bill Goldberg, Nathalie Emmanuel ('Game of Thrones), and Paul Bettany (Vision from 'Avengers'). Included in this stellar roster is actress-model Allison Harvard of America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 12 and All Stars). A costume geek herself, Alli will be among the panel of judges in the world’s biggest cosplay competition, The CAGE.
The CAGE, or Cosplay Authority Global Challenge, is the event partner of APCC Manila, and gathers the best cosplayers around the world to battle on an international level to be crowned next global Cosplay star. The grand champion's prize is a whopping $10,000! Allison Harvard will be joined by the other judges: prop and costume maker Bill Doran (punishedprops.com), Filipina cosplay superstar Alodia Gosiengfiao, Filipino cosplay photographer Jay Tablante, and global cosplay phenomenon Linda Le ("VampyBit Me").
The CAGE is proud to introduces its judges! @alliharvard @AlodiaAlmira @chinbeard @jaytablante & @VampyBitme! pic.twitter.com/THRyjRFBSz
— Cage Master (@CageCosplay) July 8, 2015
Learn more about the top model and pop culture geek in this interview.
Question: Can you share with us what are your favorites when it comes to movies, animations, and all things pop culture?
Alli Harvard: I love Miyazaki movies, I love animated movies–I love animation in general! I've made a lot of crazy costumes before. [laughs] I've been Totoro, I made this huge costume!
Oh wow! [Laughs]
I know! I love all of that. Also I've loved Sanrio forever.
What's your favorite Sanrio character?
I really really love Pom Pom Purin, the little dog with the beret! But honestly, I love so many of them. And I've always been a fan of collections, I have so many different collections of figurines, and things like that. And I love different kinds of anime. I love Fruits Basket… I could just keep on going forever. There's just so much that I love about it–I mean I can't even talk about it all right now because I get so excited. [laughs] I mean, this is so much fun. It's fun to be a part of this as the first one of its kind in Manila, so I know that everybody else is super excited — I just can't wait to get there and see everyone and what's going on.
You love costumes for work, dressing up when you model, and also for play. Can you share to us about a favorite costume you've made and worn?
I really liked my Totoro costume that I made. It was insane. [laughs] It was so big! I sewed it together, I got all of this felt, and put it all together and stuffed all of these pillows in it, and I had a beat-up umbrella! I was in New York at that time and making everyone mad, 'cause like I was just so big and almost knocking kids over. [laughs] It was so much fun. Also, I guess this could be considered a cosplay in essence–I was Helen Sharp from 'Death Becomes Her.'
No way! You had the hole in your body and everything?!
Dude! That was what I was last Halloween.
How did you do that?
I know! I love that you know what I'm talking about. It makes it much more exciting to show it to you. [whips out phone to look for a photo] So I was in Goodwill and I bought a red dress, and then I bought two mirrors, for the front and the back, at a craft store. Then I put tin foil one inch deep on the inside and painted it black to wrap around…
How long did it take you to make that costume?
It took me 3 or 4 days. It was so much fun.
What can the cosplay fans expect from The CAGE?
I think they just have to really go for it — think of it as one big giant costume party, but with more soul. People put so much care and time to this, and they become whoever it is they always want to be and they make something they're proud of. Everyone in the cosplay community is so supportive and respectful of each other. And honestly the more time and effort you put into something, the more people will come up to you and go, "Oh man, this is so awesome!" It's just a big community of appreciating one another. So it's just gonna be a really nice cool thing, and I hope people really take the time to make some awesome stuff.
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AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2015 (APCC Manila) runs from September 17 to 20, 2015 at the World Trade Center in Manila. APCC Manila tickets will are available at P500 (one-day pass), P800 (two-day pass), and P1,000 (three-day pass) each. For more info and event updates on APCC Manila 2015, please visit asiapopcomicon.com, like APCC Manila on Facebook (/apccmanila), and follow on Twitter (@AsiaPOPComicon).
