Featured Cosplayer: Steven Nikko V. Asuncion

Cosplay is a venue where people can do the most radical things and be cherished for it  Activities that when performed outside would most likely attract negative attentions from people who do not or refuse to accept deviations from the social norm. Take for instance the case of our featured cosplayer who with all audacity, executed an arguably more challenging facet of cosplay. Meet Steve, the gender-bender cosplayer.

For readers who are not familiar with the jargon, gender-bending, as prevalently defined in the world of cosplay, is the act of wearing costumes or portraying characters that are “expected” or associated to the opposite sex or gender. (i.e Naruto being portrayed by a female cosplayer, or Sailormoon being portrayed by a male cosplayer). Some people may define it differently, but I trust that you get the general idea behind it.

Steven Nikko V. Asuncion or simply Steve began his wild explorations of the cosplay jungle when his schoolmates “forced” him to cosplay one of his favorite characters. The costume ended up being gender-bended since they see him as a girl at times due to his features. For a guy who is very confident and exceedingly certain about his masculinity, this came more of a challenge which he opted to face head on.

When asked what got him into cosplay, he gave two short yet intriguing answers,

1. It fits my standards and 
2. trolling.

Steve resides in Taguig and presently finishing tertiary level at the Asia Pacific College. Among his other hobbies aside from cosplay are games and music. Read the rest of the interview and get to know the Real Man behind the masculinified female suit.

What motivates you to cosplay

"I'm motivated when a fellow cosplayer asks me to cosplay with them and it’s an honor for me to be requested to be with them. Learning from other cosplayer's point of view and talent for crafting, it got me ignited that I should do better with and against them."

What costume/s have you worn? What made you choose that/those costume/s

"I have worn Yukari Yakumo's clothes but I manage to get it into a male version.  It made me choose to wear it because I feel like it would really fit me and since she's one of my characters, I feel nothing to worry about because I love my character, but I need to avoid acting as a lady everytime I think about my character though."

What cosplay events have you attended and which one do you consider most special?

"I have attended a lot of conventions like Cosplay Mania, AME Monogatari and etc but  the most memorable and special event to me would be Pinoy Otaku Expo because it’s the day I got my gender bended costume to put into a show and its also the first time I've done a catwalk in front of the stage, but that’s not the only reason why its special to me because that day, I met new friends and even if they're not familiar with me, they still accepted me  as one of them. That is why it's very special."

Describe your life outside cosplaying.

"It’s not as dull as my day to day life because I'm always on a spacious, dull and lifeless room doing everything that needs to be done and wait for another tomorrow to come. Thanks to cosplay, it somehow created a rainbow in my dull life. Not only it gave me reasons but it also gave me new friends. Comparing my life from the last 2 years, I feel so lonely and always mute towards everyone but I'm the type of person that speaks a lot and knows a lot on surroundings that one can ever imagine.
   
It also gave me confidence in other obstacles like my presentation skills. I always have this thing called "stage fright" but after I got in the cosplay world, it feels like normal to me now and I'm stammering and stuttering less than usual. It improved my self confidence and Charisma without notice. I guess trying it would be the best option for each individual because every person has its own standards towards something."

Message to fans and fellow cosplayers

           

"Fans or No fans, I'll treat them all equally like a human would, but it would be best if I call them friends instead of Fans because cosplay is not showbiz to begin with but today's era is just killing the word "Hobby" towards the word "Cosplay" nowadays. I know fans are people that's interested in you and all but that's one thing why cosplay's true meaning is starting to deteriorate. To my fellow cosplayers, I hope you're not cosplaying just because you wanted to be known, to have attention, fame, get your own photo shoots and whatever treatments that you all are assuming but as a cosplayer, I want you to know the real essence of cosplay and its called a "Hobby." Today, it may be an opportunity but it is not a "Job." Recently, some tv networks are using cosplay as a raise for subscribing since cosplay is a trend in the Philippines. If you think this is the way towards fame then you got it all wrong. It’s you that has made you came this far. Cosplay is just a hobby for you to appreciate with. People just come to like your costume and how you bring the essence of that costume and lastly your passion towards this hobby is the whole reason why did you cosplay in the first place. It’s not about Idolizing; it’s not about being a wannabe. Cosplay because you want to show them what you're made of. Cosplay because you want your costume to be seen by anyone and be appreciated. If it’s about winning or losing a competition, never think about it. Be glad you made it this far as to the point you're being nervous about what would happen. I may be cosplaying less now due to my list of activities but I'm learning from you too fellow cosplayers as to why do you cosplay and why would you do it too. Keep cosplaying just because it’s a hobby, not something else. (O_O)"

These words were not edited to preserve the fortitude of the Steve's message. Clearly, Steve is living proof of how a mere hobby could aid an individual to develop strength in character and help him become a better person overall with a more positive view in life. 

Steve has achieved two transformations when he engaged in cosplay. First he conspicuously transformed a female character into an entity that can be portrayed by a man. Second and more important one, he transformed himself into a man who can look at himself more confidently and face day-to-day struggles with utmost vigor.