Anime Fans Dressed up for 2nd Philippine Cosplay Convention

The young and young at heart showed off their love for anime by dressing up like their favorite characters during the 2^nd Philippine Cosplay Convention (PCC) held last March 28, 2009 at the Midtown Grand Atrium in Robinsons' Place Manila.

Organized by Cosplay.ph and Hobbiworx, the event gathered some of the best coplayers in the country to show off their creative style and interact with cosplay (costume roleplay) enthusiasts as well. A special awards cermony was held to honor and recognize the talented cosplayers behind award-winning costumes, which bagged laurels from previous events. Nominees were chosen based on the feedback of their peers and winners were chosen through text and online voting. The 2008 Cosplay Contest of the Year awardees are:

• Best Male: Mr. Robert Torio (Iron Man)
• Best Female: Chai Domingo (Lili Rochefort from Tekken 6)
• Best Child: Alexa Alegria (Alchemist from Ragnarok Online)
• Best Crossplay: Marky Ilano (Dark Magician Girl from Yu-gi-oh!)
• Best Mecha/Monster: Abraham Cruz (Poring King from Ragnarok Online)

A cosplay competition was held showcasing costumes depicting different characters from anime series, comics, movies, even historical figures. The winners for the 2nd PCC Cosplay Competition are:

• Best Male: Jacob Gil (Omnimon X of Digimon)
• Best Female: Jemelyn Canlas (Yuuko Ichihara from xxxHolic / Tsubasa Chronicles)
• Best Kids: Vien Testa (Robocop) and Vincent Testa (T-800 from Terminator 3)
• Best Robot/Mecha: AC Hernandez (Warmachine from Ironman)
• Best Performance: Belldandy Grimarez (Voltron)
• Best Craftsmanship: Mark David Cerezo (Marcus Fenix from Gears of War)
• Best Historical: Selwyn Alojipan (Guardia Civil Sarhento from Noli Me Tangere)
• Best Group: Lame Cosplayers

Individual winners of the 2nd PCC Cosplay Competitiion received Php. 5,000.00 worth of gift certificates and prizes while group cosplayers received Php.10,000.00 worth of gift certificates and prizes courtesy of the event sponsors. Winners of the 2008 Cosplay Contest of the Year were given a hand-crafted medallion and Php. 1,000.00 worth of gift certificates and prizes.

The 2^nd Philippine Cosplay Competition is in partnership with Midtown Grand Atrium – Robinsons' Place Manila, TV5, Toys R Us, Jack TV, Playground Magazine, RJ Underground Radio 105.9, Wish Washable Haircolor Spray, Wasabi Toys, LazerXtreme, and 2Rats.

Philippines Became First Host of World Health Tourism Congress in Asia

In the effort to place the country as the premier health and wellness tourism destination in Asia, the Philippines was the first country in Asia Pacific to host the World Health Tourism Congress held last March 26 – 28, 2009 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

Organized by Aura International, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the World Health Tourism Congress is an exclusive congress where buyers and vendors of medical and wellbeing services have the opportunity to interact in a one-to-one meeting format as well as during workshops and informal gatherings.

During the event, corporate buyers, or those who decide when and where to send their citizens, client, and employees for medical travel, had the chance to meet up with solution providers, which consists of spas, hotel, medical center, and clinics, and forged partnerships in order to find cost effective institutions which can deliver the needs of their clients seeking medical attention. Also, participants were introduced to the latest news and updates about the health and tourism industry.

The first annual was hosted in Germany last May 25 – 27, 2006, the Second annual was hosted in Cyprus last March 23 – 25, 2007 and the Third annual was hosted in Spain last April 4 - 6, 2008.

The 4th World Health Tourism Congress is sponsored by the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (Asian Hospital and Medical Center, The Medical City, Health and Leisure - Medical Tourism Integrator, Makati Medical Center, Asian Eye Institute, Philippine Retirement Authority, Manila Doctors Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, Tagaytay Hospital and Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, and St. Francis Cabrini M.Cat), Prince Court Medical Centre, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Cebu Health and Wellness Council Inc., Jayan International, Parkway Holdings, Singapore Medicine, Take Care, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Bellevue Medical Center, ARDI Health Services Inc., Kliniken des Bezirks Oberbayern, Zulu Kingdom, and Discovery Suites.