I started out as a con-goer back in 2008. It mattered so much to me how accurate and realistic one person can go to look exactly like the character they are cosplaying. So I’d like to take this opportunity to feature some of my favorite Cosplayers, whom I’ve had such honor in meeting and befriending along the way.. -katz

CosFeature n#23: Belldandy Grimarez.. aka Chii

K- For my next feature, I give you another aspiring child-cosplayer. One of whom I have admired for such a long time because for her choice of characters. At first, we all thought it was her father who chooses her characters, seeing all those mecha-inspired costumes and customized guns. But we were surprised when she revealed to us that it was her who decides what to wear.

So let us start from the beginning, shall we? What would you like to be called?
BG - My fullname is Belldandy Grimarez, my parents got it from “Oh My Goddess”. My nickmane is Chii from “Chobits”. But at school, they call me Belle. I prefer to be called Chii…

K- It’s interesting how Otaku parents these days actually would name their children after an anime character hehe! Your interest in cosplay, how and when did it start?
BG - My Papi po is a toy collector, ever since I was small we always go to conventions. I even had a picture with Ate Alodia, when I was a few months old.

With Ms. Alodia Gosengfiao, Belldandy carried by her mom only a few months old

My fist costume po was Wonderwoman on my 1st birthday and on my 2nd birthday I wore a Batman costume… Since then, whenever we go to conventions, I wear costumes like SuperGirl, BatGirl, Greenlantern, Spiderman. Then Mr. Vic Yap po of TOYCON noticed that every time he saw me wearing a costume, he said to my Papi why not let me join in COSPLAY. My 1st customized costume, BUMBLEBEE but we called it “BUMBLECHII” (because he was my favorite po among the transformers).

First version of BUMBLECHII

BUMBLECHII – Transformers the Movie

It was first worn at TAGCOM 2: The Gathering, I won the BEST FEMALE COSPLAYER. I was 4 years old back then. I really enjoyed it, being a superhero, people taking pictures, it was very fun.

K- Costumes leave such a sentimental value. Yours is one heck of a costume for a first timer! Tell me, did you make your first costume back then? Or you had it tailored?
BG - The Bumblebee costume. Papi made it with rubber puzzle mats when he comes home from work, even without sleep. He would take out the rubber mats, and measure me before I sleep. He does all the RUGBY when we are sleeping because Mami doesn’t like the smell of it. When I wake up in the morning we would do the fitting. Everytime we finished a part of the costume I was so excited. By the time it was finished on the month of December, I was still 3 years old. But there was no convention to attend so I had to wait until March, I turned 4 years old when I first joined a cosplay competition.

K- Do you prefer solo or group cosplays?
BG -  I prefer solo cosplay po for now because I am still too young. Right now my family is my group and team. We call ourselves THE GRIMZ, hehe! My Papi is always my partner, he teaches me moves and stunts that I trained for usually 2 months before the event. When I was small I only do poses, but now that I’m a big girl, we wanted surprise the people on what we can do on stage. Like the first time I did a tumbling wearing the Bumblebee V2 costume!

Hit Girl – KickAss movie

And when I did HIT GIRL from the movie KICKASS, I beat up Papi on stage. I learned how to handle a Balisong for a month. For the finishing move, I climbed up Papi’s head,  drew my gun shoot him on the head. As he fell down I jumped and rolled, sat up and pointed the gun to the crowd. We rehearsed that fight scene many times, I got hurt and cut myself many times. And I can’t do those kind of stunts yet with another person except with Papi.

See her stage skit here: Hit Girl kicks ass!

K- Such awesomeness! *x* How much has cosplay taught you? Pros and Cons?
BG -  I cosplayed before I even entered school. I think cosplay taught me to be confident, to strive and do my best. When I’m on stage I try to perform my best by being prepared, we practice and train before the event. In school I also try to do my best by reviewing and understanding the lessons. Whenever there are recitations and performances at school, I never get shy now. Because I’m used to perform in front of many people. I often think po that my school is like a cosplay event.

Well the bad thing is, the individual cosplay is usually held during Sundays, if I joined the cosplay, we are not able to go to church. That’s why I do my best and offer everything to God, so that He will be happy.

K- True that! He makes all things possible if there is praise and faith in Him. *hugs* Have you cosplayed abroad as well? If yes, how can you compare it locally? If not, what could you have wished for?
BG -  Actually, there are offers but no sponsors. We can not afford to go by ourselves, it’s still too expensive. But there are invitations. Like last year, we were invited to San Diego Comicon 2010 by World Event Productions
creator of VOLTRON. They wanted Voltron Girl (our name for our VOLTRON costume) to have an appearance on the event, but it was not a good time because it was the same month that Mami was expecting to give birth to my baby brother Kimbo.

VOLTRON GIRL – Voltron series

This SDCC 2011 last July, they contacted us again. But again there seems to have a problem with our papers because of the late notice and also Papi has an on going project. Huhu! Next year they said they really wanted us to go there. I really wanted to go to San Diego Comicon and ride a plane! Haha! I’m really excited! But if it’s not the will of GOD, it’s ok. Hehe!

K- Aww I miss your Voltron cosplay! But cosplay aside, what do you do outside the hobby/community? 
BG -  School po! My parents are strict when it comes to school, sometime comes like if I don’t do good at school, it’s NO COSPLAY for me. Huhu! When we have extra time, Papi teaches me martial arts like grappling and submission moves, Muay Thai for strikings.

I collect toys po but Papi buys it for me. Toys like Kamen Rider henshin stuff and weapons, Super Sentai robots and morphers, some movie figures but now we are into Green Lantern movie toys. I also collect Balisongs now I have 17 of them, some are in pairs po.

See her awesome Balisong action here: Flips of danger

K- Gahhh all those heshin stuff!! *faints* Based on your experience, how’s about a message to aspiring child-cosplayers out there?
BG -  For the kids who wanted to cosplay po, studies first before everything, your school should be your priority, if you missed out something at school sometimes it’s hard to get it back. Cosplay will always be there so you’ll have another chance. If you want to cosplay, do good at school first po.

K- Now, please tell me something about yourself that no one knows. Like, what makes you YOU?
BG -  May be, I want to do things that a normal kid would not or can not do. I’m just a kid who wants to make a difference… just like Papi always tell me, that I’m an Abnormal and a Special Child! Hahaha!

PREDACHII – Samurai Predator

K- Awww I disagree! But err.. (looks at photo).. come to think of it, your dad may have a point there ehehe! *ahem* Thank you very much for letting me feature you dear. Maybe next time, we could collaborate on projects together. Looking forward to more of your awesome work! Chii~!
BG -  Thank you also and God bless!

 

WHERE YOU’LL FIND HER: Facebook and Multiply 

Till next feature~~! *mhew*