10 Reasons Why Alodia Gosiengfiao is Famous

Alodia Gosiengfiao is a very famous cosplayer. No one can deny that. There are much better models, endorsers, entertainers and hosts in the country but that girl’s name is and will be forever marked in the history of Philippine cosplay. Now, I’m not a rabid fangirl. I have directed her in some projects and I do like her, she is genuinely nice. But I’m writing this from a media practitioner’s perspective and I seriously wish I’m still in school so I could do a thesis on the Alodia phenomenon.

Presenting the “10 Reasons Why Alodia Gosiengfiao is Famous” (based on my observations).

1. Perfect timing

Alodia conquered the geek-culture world when the community was still very small and cosplay as we know it was just emerging. It was indeed perfect timing. It is safe to say that she’s one of the pioneers of the craft in the country and she had been winning competitions before some of the current cosplayers were even in school.

2. Quality Costumes

The cosplay scene in the country has grown and improved in the last 5-6 years. Before, not everyone paid much attention to details (LOL really, paper bag on your head and a random gun?). Alodia, however, ALWAYS had quality costumes and accessories. I remember interviewing her in a Final Fantasy event about 6 years ago and asked how much her white wig was. “It’s Php 5,000 eh. Mahal nga but I have no choice.” That was just her wig. However, you cannot hate her for having money. It’s like saying Britney Spears became a superstar because her parents had the money to send her to performing arts classes when she was growing up.

Alodia at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con. That’s not a costume, that’s spartaaaa!!!!
Credit as tagged.

3. Sellable

Alodia is a brand. She’s actually one of the few legit local celebs who was able to build her image without being backed up by a talent company or a network. She’s had hoards of fans waaay before she even made it mainstream. How the heck she did that, I totally have no idea (if I did, I would’ve been famous by now, too. Or maybe not). She has a clean image, she’s pretty, and she knows her niche. Brands just followed her lead. Afterall, there is a big market for toys/gaming/Japanese-culture enthusiasts and companies are aware of that. Most of all, she has very pan-Asian features and is not limited to the Pinoy market.

4. Professional

Once a brand or a company gets you for a project, your chances of getting invited back or given more work is dependent on 1) how much you’ve sold and 2) how fun or easy you are to work with. I may not be too familiar with the numbers for the former but trust me, working with her was a breeze. The first project that I did with her was not otaku-related and was for Axe. Given that she literally has millions of fans, the girl had no air at all!

Yep, I kinda was the director of that show. Hahaha. That was my 2nd project with her. Fun times!

5. Die-hard fans

WHAT IS RABID. My gosh.  Alodia has some of the most die-hard fanboys and fangirls in the country. She has hardcore haters, too but man, as I said before… You know you’re famous when you got haterzzzz! Alodia has some fans who are on the same level as the true-blue Kpop fans or the Kimerald followers. And that’s fuckin’ saying a lot. Try going to a convention where she is a guest… good luck if you could take a photo of her without getting squashed by the mob!

6. Aspirational

She is, what we call in media, “aspirational”. People want to be like her or be with her (yes, even the fans who are in denial), just like Vice Ganda. Vice appeals to the masses and they feel like he’s one of them with all the jokes and the kantonese, but in reality, he’s definitely not. You can never put a super real person on the spotlight and expect other real people to like him. Alodia is aspirational for many male and female otakus and enthusiasts. She’s one of them… but not really.

You will NEVER be this cute while eating. EVER. Don’t even.
Credit as tagged.

7. Alodia

Her name is Alodia. I mean, c’mon. That’s like being named Mariah or Beyonce – you’re bound to be a star. Imagine if her name was Christinne or Shiela (my name is Kring so believe me, I mean no offense), it would be kinda bleh, right? My name sounds like your chismosa kapitbahay. Maybe I should use my boring legal name?

8. Fan-service

No, I don’t mean fan-service in a jpop/kpop idol sense. She does not do skinship with other girls or gyrate her pelvis in front of the camera while dancing to “Poker Face”. Alodia knows her market and she gives them what they want. She knows how to project on cam and she chooses characters that people can relate to, not just the ones that she likes. She’s definitely “showbiz” and you know what, that’s not exactly a bad thing.

Alodia doing the “kawaii neko” pose. I also tried doing this on the beach and got punched by random passersby. Credit as tagged.

9. Passionate

One thing that I admire about her is her unfaltering passion. People in the community have come and gone but she’s still there, even more famous now than before. I asked her about her LOL TV hosting gig and if she has plans of going full-on showbiz. You know what she said? “I’d choose to be a gamer or a cosplayer any day over becoming a host or a famous actress. Actually, my hosting took a lot of my time and now that it’s done, I can concentrate more on cosplay.” WTF. WOW.

She also mentioned that her objective years ago was to make cosplay accepted in the mainstream media and now that it has happened, she has another goal – to use this passion to help the less fortunate. I was actually waiting for her to say “world peace” at the end hahaha. (Girl, we still have THAT project to do, owkie?).

And the last reason why Alodia is famous (and perhaps the most important)…

10. Pretty, Sexy, Hot.

Let’s admit it. People like looking at beautiful things. Why do you think celebs spend so much money maintaining their looks? It’s sad but that’s the reality of life. You think photographers want bad faces on their folio? Would brands get ugly people as endorsers? Alodia just happens to be really lucky to not only have a pretty face but a spankin’ hot body, too! That’s like… whappak combo!

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And if you guys would like to see Alodia up-close and personally meet her, now is your chance!!! I’m giving away TWO VERY SPECIAL AND EXCLUSIVE PASSES to the biggest cosplay event to hit the internet – ALODIA’S FANTASY!!! Click here here to find out how you can be the lucky winner! You still have three days to go~

MAY THE BEST FAN WIN!

ps: Please check out my latest crack videoblog, HOW TO GET A KOREAN BOYFRIEND! ^^

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