With the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic sweeping across the country and around the world, pop-culture events were not spared its wrath, with big international events such as the San Diego Comic-Con and Anime Expo, as well as local pop culture events cancelled or postponed for this year.
Nevertheless, the circumstances didn’t stop event organizer Cosplay.ph to mount a video that not only showcases the talents of Filipino cosplayers through music, but also honor frontliners who keep lives going amid the crisis.
The video is a cover of the opening song from the popular anime series “My Hero Academia,” titled “Hero Too,” originally sung by Kyoka Jiro and starring Chrissy Costanza.
A total of 13 performers, most of them cosplayers as well as some who worked behind the scenes in events, recorded and performed the song from their own homes.
According to Cosplay.ph President Pablo Bairan, it took a lot of time to coordinate with the performers in the video as some of them were located in different parts of the Philippines, as well as Japan.
“We wanted to bring the community together in a project of hope and as a tribute for the frontliners. We also wanted to remind people to stay safe during the pandemic. Even though we were apart, we could still be together in a way that shows positivity and purpose.” Bairan told The Sunday Times Magazine via Facebook Messenger.
He added that the video is a show of support and an expression of gratitude and encouragement to the modern day heroes.
One of the performers, Nathan Vergara—also known as Envy Smith in event circles—echoed Bairan and also wrote on Messenger, “For me, the frontliners who actually do the low-level work are the people who have a direct impact on the lives of others during quarantine. They do the nation a massive service and deserve to be compensated and appreciated by people from all walks and all levels.”
Meanwhile Bairan noted that while the pandemic has placed everyone in difficult circumstances, it has nonetheless resulted in people’s ability to collaborate and work together creatively, like the cosplayers did in the video
“The message for everyone is to hang in there and keep [observing] health safety practices and social distancing. [But] as a community we’re still together even though we’re physically apart. With all the darkness in the world right now, we can still be a beacon of hope and, in this way, you can be a ‘hero too’,” Bairan ended.
The video, “Hero Too,” is available for viewing via https://youtu.be/jOy0Peo5SpM.