Stepping out of her shell: Toni Babao takes cosplay to the next level with COSPLANET PH
For someone who describes herself as an introvert, Toni Babao is certainly stepping far out into the limelight. It’s a different one than what her parents are in though.
This time, she is not simply putting on a costume and stepping into the shoes of a beloved character. She is stepping into the world of event production, bringing together cosplayers, animé and fantasy fans, artists, collectors, creators and families for what she hopes will become a meaningful and memorable gathering for the community.
Enter COSPLANET PH, which is happening on Oct. 30 and 31, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the “Collab” event venue of The Sheraton Manila Hotel.
The two-day event promises cosplay contests, performances, games, giveaways, auctions, art and merchandise booths, collectibles and meet-and-greets with creators and personalities.
But for Toni, COSPLANET is more than just another convention but something deeply personal in her journey to adulthood.
“I’ve always wanted to create my own event,” Toni shared, recalling how her earliest exposure to event production came from watching her mother, broadcast legend Tintin Bersola-Babao, manage bazaars when she was young.
That childhood experience planted the seed. Cosplay eventually gave her the direction.
“I started cosplaying because of the ability to express myself however I wanted to,” Toni explained. “At the time, people weren’t as accepting of others for their more ‘nerdy’ interests. So, it really helped to have those outlets.”
Her very first cosplay character was Hatsune Miku, which she credits as the beginning of her journey into Vocaloid, animé and the larger world of cosplay.
Today, she finds inspiration in stories that have a strong sense of humanity. Among her favorite series are “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” and “Mob Psycho 100,” particularly because, as she put it, the characters are written with “so much humanity and experience.”
And if she had to choose one character to cosplay over and over again, her answer was “Gyro Zeppeli,” referring to the “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” character.
For Toni, however, great cosplay isn’t necessarily about having the most expensive costume or the most technically perfect craftsmanship. It is about passion and the reason behind each look.
“To me, it’s truly the passion that people feel about the characters they’re dressed as,” she said.
“Regardless of how they obtain their outfits, I think that what truly brings a character to life is the person behind them who values them so wholeheartedly.”
That philosophy is also at the heart of COSPLANET. Having attended numerous cosplay events herself, Toni noticed something she wanted to address. While conventions can be exciting when you’re surrounded by friends, the experience can be different for someone attending alone, especially for an introvert.
“I’ve been to many different cosplay-related events, and what I will say is that as fun as they are to attend with friends, whenever those friends are busy, you’re on your own and you’re an introvert, there’s not much to do exactly besides look around and shop,” she said.
She also observed that large events can sometimes become so crowded that attendees have limited opportunities to participate in stage activities and games. So, instead of simply creating another event where people browse booths and watch performances, Toni wanted COSPLANET to be interactive.
“We truly aim to invite merchants, who will provide everyone with activities to do both with their friends and on their own,” she explained.
It is a particularly interesting evolution for someone who admits that the process of putting together an event can be overwhelming.
After all, she is not just the daughter of broadcast icons Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola-Babao. She is also building something that reflects her own personality, interests and vision. From her parents, she learned one important lesson: see things through.
“I learned from them that no matter how difficult it is to do something, you must see it through until the end,” Toni said.
She admitted there had been moments when the stress made her want to give up and even over seemingly simple things.
“But I always end up remembering their advice whenever I do feel that way,” she said.
And perhaps that is what makes COSPLANET particularly meaningful.
Toni, just in her early twenties, is taking something that once served as her personal outlet and creating a space where other people can experience that same freedom.
For young fans especially, cosplay can be much more than dressing up. It can be a way of finding a community, discovering creativity, building confidence and expressing a side of themselves they may not always feel comfortable showing elsewhere.
“Cosplaying is for everyone, and we all deserve to feel comfortable while expressing ourselves to the fullest,” Toni said. “I believe that’s fundamentally what cosplaying allows us to do.”
That inclusive spirit is something she hopes attendees will feel the moment they walk into COSPLANET. And she is particularly excited about the venue itself.
Cosplay can be physically demanding. Intricate costumes, elaborate props and heavy outfits can make navigating a crowded convention exhausting.
Toni said one of her priorities was to make the experience comfortable and easy to navigate.
“What I’m excited for the most is seeing my community be able to hang out in a comfortable and relaxing space,” she added.
The event will also feature guests and creators whom Toni personally feels have made an impact on the community. Among those she mentioned are Jin Joson, Anasity Jardeleza (Lucee) and Lee (Rahjee).
Rather than simply assembling a lineup based on popularity, Toni said she wanted people whom she had personally witnessed inspiring others.
“I’ve spoken to both Jin Joson and Anasity Jardeleza (Lucee) and Lee (Rahjee) personally,” she shared. “They are both so incredibly kind, and I don’t doubt that fans will have the same kind of memorable experience meeting them for the first time as I did.”
And if this first major step works out, Toni isn’t stopping there. Her five-year vision for COSPLANET is ambitious. She sees it becoming an annual event or even a monthly one, with different themes and structures each time. Her goal is simple: to create “endless memorable experiences” for her community.
Toni is the beacon, who once found freedom through cosplay, and is now creating a platform where others can find theirs. And while she may be stepping out of her shell, Toni is not leaving her passions behind. She is bringing them with her and inviting an entire community to come along.
From Hatsune Miku to Gyro Zeppeli, from being a young fan to becoming an event creator, Toni’s cosplay journey has clearly evolved. But at its core, the message remains the same: you don’t have to hide the things that make you different. Sometimes, you just need the right universe to let yourself shine.
And in October, Toni is building exactly that universe.
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