Chai Chen was featured in my article on cosplay models of the Philippines back in March of 2010. Keeping in loose touch with Chai over the last five years (and having a hard time believing it had been so long), I saw that she was still very much active in cosplay and had developed and taken her costumes and characters to the next level. Of course, her being an avid PSP gamer is how she's developed an encyclopedic knowledge of comic book superoheroines, game characters, and their roles.
Chinese by blood, with some Spanish and Indian mixed in, the naturalized Filipina, who's been into cosplay since late 2008, describes herself as "a bit childlike but a hella workaholic." Her "day job" as a client services manager at a business process outsourcing (BPO) company keeps her busy, but Chai still makes time to attend events in and around her home country of the Philippines, with an eye on making it to San Diego Comic Con in the not-too-distant future. Above photo of Chai as one of her current favorites; Marvel Comics superheroine Black Widow, by Kira Hokuten Photography.
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| As Phillipine Comics Superheroine Darna, who debuted in 1950. Photo by Chops Bardos. |
CHAI CHEN: Cosplay Mania '14 here in the Philippines. I have been so busy with my work life that I wasn't able to attend conventions. Last year though, I tried to come back and it was worth it. I guess I plan to do more photo shoots this year, as well.
CHRIS: Who are currently your favorite characters to dress as?
CHAI: Black Widow from the Avengers. Aside from the resemblance that peeps have noticed, I've tried to do more sexy characters that suit me.
CHRIS: What events do you plan on attending in the near future?
CHAI: It depends on my availability, but I always check the Cosplay.Ph Facebook page for any events I can probably attend. I do wish to attend San Diego Comic Con one time (laughs).
CHRIS: Yes, that's the Super Bowl of cosplay events, at least in the US. As big as that is, I'm sure you'd be one of the notable attention-getters there. So, what new characters have you decided on appearing as in the near future?
CHAI: More variations of Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier. Also more sexy and badass game characters. I am more of a gamer type so yeah, like Nina Williams in Tekken 6, Kasumi from Dead or Alive, and so on.
CHRIS: Do you make any of your own costumes?
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| As Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier |
CHAI: I have a tailor that's been making my costumes since 2009. I only select the fabric type based on the stash he has and yeah, given that I'm very OC with materials and design, I keep a close watch of how my costumes are made.
CHRIS: About how many cosplay outfits do you now own?
CHAI: Oh, there's a lot now but not like other cosplayers, since I went on hiatus. 25-30 I think.
CHRIS: About how many cosplay outfits do you now own?
CHAI: Oh, there's a lot now but not like other cosplayers, since I went on hiatus. 25-30 I think.
CHRIS: So, when are you going to go to an event (un)dressed as Kekko Kamen? (Referring to my favorite manga superheroine, whom I jokingly suggested, during our previous interview, Chai go to a cosplay event [un]dressed as sometime.)
CHAI: (Laughs) Naaah, not Kekko Kamen. Still too daring for me.
At left as Jean Grey, the only female member of Marvel Comics' original X-Men. At
right is a recent photo of Chai as her mild-mannered self at her day job workplace.
This character, dubbed by Chai as "random hot police officer chick," is a concept she
put together with a base outfit from LuckyDollStore.com and accessories she added.
Says Chai; "I added the net gloves, shoes, makeup, and the wavy hair wig to make
her look like a badass Asian hot police chick something." Photo by Chops Bardos.
put together with a base outfit from LuckyDollStore.com and accessories she added.
Says Chai; "I added the net gloves, shoes, makeup, and the wavy hair wig to make
her look like a badass Asian hot police chick something." Photo by Chops Bardos.
Outside the SMX Convention Center in Makati as the Fantastic
Four's Sue Storm. Photo by Jumpshot Photography
Four's Sue Storm. Photo by Jumpshot Photography
Another shoot as Black Widow. This one by Voltaire Bernardo
As Meiko from the Synchronicity version of Vocaloid. Photo taken
during Cosplay Mania '11 by Kira Hokuten Photography
during Cosplay Mania '11 by Kira Hokuten Photography
Ara Athienza as Stalker (Ragnarok Online), Chai as Silk Spectre II (Watchmen),
and Naoko Chan as DJ Iroha Umigeri (Beatmania IIDX) at the 2nd Philippine
Cosplay Convention in March 2009, during Chai's "rookie" year as a cosplayer
and Naoko Chan as DJ Iroha Umigeri (Beatmania IIDX) at the 2nd Philippine
Cosplay Convention in March 2009, during Chai's "rookie" year as a cosplayer
See more of Chai at:
Big Wow ComicFest is happening now with a lot of cosplay beauties in attendance. Chai would fit right in!
ReplyDeleteShe sure would, Steve! I chatted with Chai yesterday and she told me she probably wouldn't be able to attend this year's San Diego Comic-Con, as it's coming up in July, but she has plans to make it next year. I also told her about Big Wow, in hopes she'll visit the Bay Area for that sometime.
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