Twenty-year-old Alodia Almira Arraiza Gosiengfiao doesn't wait for Halloween to wear costumes. They're a regular part of her life.

This Information Design student at the Ateneo de Manila University is one of the country's best cosplayers. Alodia regularly dresses up as her favorite animé and video game characters.

But there is more to cosplay than just costumes.

"Cosplay is derived from 'costume roleplay.' I guess that's the best way to describe it. The cosplayer takes up the character, not just in terms of look but also mannerisms and gestures. Cosplayers look into the details of a character, and eventually become the character," says Gosiengfiao. "I feel that cosplay is a fusion of all my passions: art, fashion, gaming and, sometimes, music," she adds.

Gosiengfiao plays an active role in the country's animé, gaming and cosplay scenes, which are all intertwined, according to her.

"The scenes are quickly expanding and gaining recognition. How people look at it is starting to change. Before, it was only a niche, there were only a handful of people who supported these scenes. Now, it is noticeable that more conventions are held every year, and there is more support from cosplayers, gamers and animé fans. Before, some people would stereotype animé fans or cosplayers as geeks-I experienced this myself! But now, I'd say that more and more people are becoming interested. It is becoming more mainstream."