Rhianna Floresca named new AniMate

MANILA, Philippines - Animax’s AniMate Search 2012 concluded with Rhianna Floresca as the new TV presenter and personality to join cosplay queen Alodia Gosiengfiao on the channel. She beat six finalists who were selected from dozens of hopefuls, and brought home P25,000 cash. She also becomes Animax’s representative at events and a co-host with AniMate Alodia on Animax.

A Philippine Studies graduate from the De La Salle University, Rhianna did not let the opportunity pass when she came to know about the contest. Despite the fact that it was only her second time to join a cosplay competition, the 19-year-old’s love for animé and cosplaying got her going.

“I was so nervous throughout the competition. This was my first time cosplaying since graduation so I was worried during the first parts of competition,” says Rhianna.

However, it did not take much time before she felt comfortable with her fellow finalists and the Animax team. “The AniMate Search turned out to be really exciting. It was fun cosplaying my favorite characters and meeting other contestants who share the same passion for animé,” adds Rhianna.

On the finalists’ first video shoot for Animax’s daily TV segment, Ani-Time with Alodia, Rhianna remembers her first meeting with AniMate Alodia. “I was really star-struck. It was surreal, meeting my idol in person for the very first time and having made it to the finals.”

It got even more special when Alodia invited Rhianna and the rest of the finalists to create a video for Animax fans. They bonded with each other and enjoyed dancing to Psy’s Gangnam Style during the shoot.

Rhianna also shares the uncertainties she had during the competition, admitting that “unlike some of my fellow finalists, I had no fan base. It was only my second competition, but a couple of others have joined contests before Animax’s AniMate Search, so I felt somewhat insecure. I didn’t know how to get the support of the cosplaying community and Animax viewers. My network isn’t that big.”

She also reveals the challenges of costumes and the stress she experienced. “My friends told me that I lost a lot of weight during the competition. I told them that maybe it’s because of the stress.”

Rhianna got a scare two days before the Carnival when they had a problem with her costume to cosplay Hikaru Shidou of Magic Knight Rayearth. “I was really relieved when we were able to repair it. In the end, I was still able to use it at the Carnival,” she says.

On event day, Rhianna says that she could not contain her emotions. She always caught herself praying, tensed and anxious. She revealed that she was very “religious” during that time.

“I just told myself that if God put me to it, He will get me through it. I kept repeating that phrase backstage. I was teary-eyed even before they called my name,” says Rhianna. “When I heard the announcement, I just burst into tears. That time, I saw the fans I never knew I already had, but they were there. This is my dream and I can’t believe I’m living it.”

Having just finished her first shoot as Alodia’s co-host, Rhianna says, “It’s still overwhelming. It’s yet to sink in!” As Animax’s new AniMate TV presenter, Rhianna expects to meet more cosplayers and hopes to learn from them, as well as look forward to attending more events on behalf of Animax.

“Follow your dreams. Never cease to follow them,” ends Rhianna.