9. Jenalyn Ching, 18, cosplayer since 2009

Real life: Don't blame her, it was her kuya who literally dragged her into the world of cosplay. "What I saw fascinated me! The happiness that I saw in the faces of the cosplayers made me want to try it," Jen refers to her first day at Toycon 2009. From there, this model doesn't only pose pretty for professional photo shoots and the catwalk but during conventions as well.

Fave cosplay: "My favorite character would be Yuki Nagato. I really poured a lot of effort [into it]. It was hard for me because we (me and the character) have opposite personalities so I really gave it my all to portray her as best I could. This was also where people started recognizing me as a real cosplayer. Another reason is that playing Yuki gave me the chance to cosplay with a group, which is really nice because it's double the fun and [you build] camaraderie."

Model turned cosplayer: "Modeling is more serious work since I need discipline to carry myself especially on the runway. While in cosplay, it's simply fun. I am able to enjoy what I'm wearing without worrying how I'm carrying the fashion. In cosplay, I'm able to enjoy portraying different characters with different varieties of fashion statements."

Ready, set, go!: "I always check myself in the mirror, practice poses, and take pictures of myself the night before a cosplay event to see if I'm able to [pull off] the character."

Convention buddies: Mom and big bro.

Best comment received: "Jen really projected Nagato really well." From CSCENTRL'S Raymond Sison.

Cosplay rewards: "The most significant thing that cosplaying has contributed to my personality is that I'm now able to communicate well with anybody. When I was just modeling, it didn't require me to talk with people since the runway is just a runway where you'll just walk. [Cosplaying has given me] the courage to talk to anybody without stuttering."

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