UP Cebu to hold Otakufest 7

CEBU, Philippines - Otakufest VII: New Golden Age (OF7) will be culminating this February 8 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Lahug campus grounds with heaps of fun activities and new surprises in store for everyone.

Themed "New Golden Age," Cebu's first collegiate cosplay and hobbies event on its seventh year ushers in a new age full of luck, destiny, and success. "Since this is the seventh season of the event, we've decided to give it a little twist. The number seven is believed to be an auspicious number in Japanese culture, so the organizing team believes that this will be the golden year, the best year ever," added Clark Lyndon Alda, overall program head for Otakufest 7.

Since its humble beginnings in 2007, Otakufest has always been believed to be an all-Japanese cosplay event by its loyal attendees. With the new golden age, OF7 employs the new and modern definition of Otaku and embraces more areas of interests such as Korean and Western culture, and not just the Japanese aspect of it. Otaku basically refers to people with obsessive interests. "So when Otakufest was founded, it had nothing to do with nationality and everything to do with everyone's passion for their varying interests," said Rey Con-ui, one of the original founders of Otakufest.

OF7 has a long lineup of exhibitors, guests and competitions set to entertain everyone, starting off with the first ever Japan — Cebu Karaoke Contest at 9am to 12nn, followed by the following simultaneous events in the afternoon: the hit solo cosplay competition, Player-Versus-Player (P-V-P) PlayStation Video Game Tournament, Korean Pop Dance Invasion Cover Group Contest, Western Characters Drawing Contest, Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game Tournament and many more. Renowned Filipino cosplayers and cosplaymakers from Team M.A.R.C.H. — Philippines, Lyron Aquino and Ae Ri will also grace the event with their presence.

For just P60, the Cebu community will be treated to a whole day gakuensai (school festival) experience, witness their favorite characters come to life, as well as grab the opportunity to witness Japanese, Korean and Western competitions and purchase related memorabilia. UP Cebu college students are entitled free entrance to the event upon presentation of their school identification (ID) cards or study load (Form 5). UP Cebu high school students can avail 50 percent off the entrance fee if they present their ID card.

OF7 is brought to you by UP Nichibunken and UP SYNCHO Batch Organization in partnership with Association of Nihongo Teachers in the Visayas (ANT-V), Philippine Association of the Japanese Ministry of Education Scholars (PHILAJAMES), Cebu PlayStation Gamers United (CPGU), Ng Khai Development Corporation and USC Advertising Arts Association (A3).

For more information on Otakufest 7 and the Japan — Cebu Karaoke Contest, please check their Facebook pages at facebook.com/otakufest7 and facebook.com/japancebu.karaokecontest, respectively.  (FREEMAN)