The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance institutionalizing the Baguio Cosplay festival and providing guidelines for the said purpose.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan, the city shall officially celebrate the Baguio Cosplay Festival every October 31 or the closest Sunday of October which appropriately falls on the celebration of Halloween.
However, in other peculiar cases where the date cannot be set, the City Administrator’s Office–Tourism and Special Events Division will be authorized to determine the date of the said celebration. For this year’s festivities, it will be held on October 29, 2024.
The ordinance created the Baguio Cosplay Festival Executive Committee that will serve as the steering body to ensure the success of the celebration. It will be chaired by the City mayor and co-chaired by the City Administrator and representative of the Baguio Cosplay community while the members will include the Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Tourism, Parks and Playgrounds, Chairperson of the Committee on Sports Development and Youth Welfare, City Engineer and City Tourism Officer.
The ordinance added that Session road shall be closed to vehicular traffic to allow the implementation of the Baguio Cosplay Festival activities, such as cultural performances, parades, food stalls and other family-oriented activities.
The local government shall encourage the active participation of the different cosplay and buskers in the city to ensure the success of the said celebration.
Olowan claimed that institutionalizing the Baguio Cosplay Festival will not only strengthen the city’s identity as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Creative Cities network but will also align to the Social Development Goals (SDGs) of empowering the youth.
According to him, the Baguio Cosplay community is a diverse and inclusive group comprising of individuals of various ages, backgrounds, and interests, welcoming cosplayers, artists, craftsmen, photographers, videographers, organizers and enthusiasts in its list of members.
This community fosters a supportive environment in which members with diverse skills and talents collaborate and learn from one another, and it serves as a safe haven for individuals who may be socially awkward or face bullying because of their interest by providing them with a supportive social circle.
Moreover, the Cosplay community has experienced significant growth over the years and now boasts a substantial population, reaching thousands of members.
The ordinance admitted that the group is a clear testament to the popularity of cosplay in the city and the inclusive nature of the community which constantly attracts new members, and despite its growing size, the community remains tightly neat, emphasizing the importance of friendship and camaraderie among its members. By Dexter A. See
