Of Zorro, Cosplay and Fellowship

We just got home from the “Mexican Christmas” party for the volunteers at Victory Dumaguete. We had fun with the costume and the games and the fellowship. It is an early Christmas but it is truly a Merry Christmas.

My costume was Zorro, the character played in his latest incarnation by Antonio Banderas. I would have wanted to look as close as possible to the costume worn by Banderas in that film. Unfortunately, in this small city, there were limited places to find some items. For the black outfit, I wore my Obra Ni Juan long sleeved shirt as well as my Obra Ni Juan black pants. I put on black socks and my black Rockport leather shoes. I also brought along my boots that I use when I cut grass on the lawn behind our house, but I felt no need to wear it so I did not put it on. For the cape and the mask, the two-and-a-half meter black cloth from OK Mart was more than sufficient. The extra cloth should have gone to making a makeshift hat, but going into Lee Plaza, we saw cowboy hats that I felt would make a much better alternative. Incidentally, minutes before the start of the party, I saw the same hat at Unitop for a much lower price. Too bad I didn’t check there earlier.

So I had my black outfit, black mask, black shoes, and black hat. But we could not find a suitable sword. We looked at the different stores with toy swords but they were all unsuitable. There was the samurai katana, the ninja-to, the knight’s broadsword, and even fancy blades and knives. But the rapier was not available. I knew I could probably find one at the store that sells ROTC supplies, but I was not prepared to shell out a huge amount for a one-night thing. I also could not find a suitable pair of black gloves.

I was having second thoughts about going to the party in a costume. But since the mask and cape were already done, I decided not to waste Noreen’s efforts in making them and wore the costume–without the gloves, boots, and sword. I was expecting a lot of others wearing the same type of costume, so I did not really consider my costume even a contender for the best in costume for the night.

Although I would love to wear certain costumes, I was not very happy with my costume tonight. I wanted to wear something very well done and complete. Although the mask and cape were quite good, the absence of a pair of gloves and a suitable sword, and the proper boots with spurs dampened my spirits. Nonetheless, I decided to put them on and wear them for the party.

I remember only two other times I wore costumes. Even when we went to the cosplay event at Megamall in the past, I did not wear a costume. Perhaps it was for the same reason I did not enjoy my costume tonight at first. I wanted something very well done, something “perfect.”

The first time I remember wearing a costume was in high school. I was then in my third year at Philippine Science High School. We had a play for our Asian Week and we presented a play where Yoma Kabe was the hero. If you know Salitang Datkilab, you’d know the play on that Japanese sounding name. We went to the Japanese Embassy and they were kind enough to lend us authentic Japanese kimono. But I did not have a sword, so I got a long piece of wood, covered it in foil, made a scabbard, and I had my katana.

The only other time I remember going to a “cosplay” was the Christmas party of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in Kamuning First United Methodist Church. The theme was school uniform, and I thought of the British boarding schools. I wore a long sleeved shirt and a tie, and partnered it with khaki shorts. I thought I was unique, but there was one other who wore the same kind of costume.

For the cosplay tonight, I was not really excited. I just wanted to get it done with. First, because I did not really like the Mexican theme. I would have wanted greater leeway in choosing the kind of costume to wear. If there was not a specific theme, I would have chosen to be a ninja or a samurai. Or a knight reminiscent of the House Stark of A Game of Thrones, a recently concluded HBO Original mini-series. Perhaps, even an Inquisitor from the far future in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I would have exerted more effort in coming up with my costume.

Second, because I could not complete my costume. I had no riding boots, spurs, gloves, and a rapier. The cape and the mask used the cheapest kind of cloth we could find. Third, because when we got to the place, there were very few people who had any costume on. It seemed like people were not taking the event seriously enough. This changed a bit when the party started and more people came in costumes. Those who weren’t wearing costumes earlier changed into their costumes.
When the party got under way, I started to enjoy the event. I kept looking out for anyone entering wearing the same outfit. I really liked it that no one else came wearing the same costume. I was unique. And that made me happy. I felt like a celebrity, with people calling out my name, “Zorro!” Of course, it was just my character’s name, but I was happy nonetheless.

When the finalists were called, I was the first one called. I knew then that I would not win, but I decided to just be a sport and participate. I was covered from head to toe, with my face half hidden, but I felt so naked, so incomplete. How could Zorro stand in front without his sword? True enough, I was not chosen as the best in costume, but it was okay. I saw a lot of people clapping in appreciation of my costume, and that was enough for me. Winning would probably have made me more abashed.

It was not only a time of contest, but also a time of fellowship. Joining the games, enjoying the moments, and even winning one event where I participated in, increased my happiness. Being one with my group, whether winning or losing, made me a winner already.

I took home more than a gift for the exchange gifts, and several pieces of food items from the prize. I took home an experience, a memory.

[Ernest Serote. 2011 December 2. Victory Dumaguete]