Howlers Manila 2.0 brings fans together for a celebration of music and cosplay
Cosplay and music are two worlds that you wouldn't expect to collide, but that's exactly what happened at this event.
Howlers Manila 2.0 was a dream come true for both cosplayers and music lovers as the event mixes live music and dance performances, fun activities, game booths, and prizes to create an ultimate concert experience.
In a simultaneous event held at Circuit Makati Event Grounds, last Oct. 21, passionate and creative fans brought anime and gaming characters to life and participated in games from different booths and E-sports battles by Rumble Royale.
A variety of activity areas around the venue were also free for all, including the Spartan Obstacle Course, Paradise Lost, Haunted Halloween Maze, Emborg's roulette, Rhum Pong, High Minds challenge, freedom wall, and feria games.
In the main event area, festivalgoers converged to watch a spectacular lineup of electrifying musical and dance performances from Ely Buendia, Flow G, Al James, Kiyo, SkyGarden, Yara, Yno, Blvck Flowers, to DJs Mark Thompson, Marc Marasigan, Bandit, Katsy Lee, and many more.
Best of both worlds
Cosplayer Cholo Tolentino, who came as Izaya from Durarara, told PhilSTAR L!fe that he finds it refreshing to see two different communities come together.
"It is nice that they are melting together the whole music festival scene together with the cosplay scene," he said. "The vibes are different because we can hear music coming from different corners and because there are different types of people here, including those who are not cosplayers."
For P-pop girl groups Kaia and Dione, both agreed that it was a great opportunity for people who like music, games, and cosplay to come together and enjoy.
“It was a different feeling kasi may kasama kaming bands, solo artists, and P-pop groups," Kaia said. For them, it's an honor to be able to celebrate Filipino music at this event alongside so many OPM artists.
Dione told L!fe, "It's nice that they mixed cosplay and music, and it's like a perfect time for friends and families to bond because there are a lot of activities aside from watching shows."
P-pop boy group 1ST.ONE, who debuted their new song Dito at the festival, echoed the same sentiments, saying it was an "amazing opportunity to gather acts from different music styles and cultural backgrounds."
A diverse yet passionate crowd
Mayonnaise has also returned to the festival for the second time this year and expressed their happiness to be performing again for Howlers.
"Ang daming tao, they listen. That is what I Iike about the crowd sa mga pumupunta sa mga festival dito sa Circuit, especially sa Howlers. And we're very appreciative and thankful that we are still here," said vocalist Monty Macalino in a chat with L!fe.
The band performed Tayo Na Lang Dalawa, Synesthesia, and their most played song, Jopay. Additionally, Monty revealed that they are working on a new album and should have it out early next year.
Silent Sanctuary, meanwhile, was thankful for the energy the crowd had given during their performance. They sang Kundiman, Bumalik ka na Sa'kin, and Ikaw Lamang. The band vocalist, Raymund Sarangay is inviting fans to check out their new album on the different digital music services.
Sunkissed Lola, known for their song Pasilyo, hopes that they touch more people with their music.
"Sana mas marami pa kaming souls na ma-touch, sana mas maraming tao pa yung sumama sa biyahe namin," the rock band said. They're coming out with their first-ever album and a new single soon.
As the night went on, the festivalgoers' excitement increased when Sexbomb Girls Jopay, CheChe, Jacky, Mhyca, and Sandy performed their timeless songs and dance choreographies like The Spaghetti Song and Bakit Papa?.
"Nakakatuwa mula nag umpisa yung Sexbomb Girls hanggang ngayon, grabe pa rin yung suporta sa amin ng mga tao, nakaka goosebumps talaga siya," the legendary girl group remarked.
Sexbomb Jopay and Cheche also joked, "Abangan niyo po ang mga pasabog, abangan niyo pa yung pagkain namin ng apoy 'yan nalang po di namin nagagawa," when asked what's next for them.
To close the event was Ely Buendia, who took his audience on a trip down memory lane as he sang some of Eraserheads' hits like Ang Huling El Bimbo, Magasin, Pare Ko, and Alapaap.
After seeing the thrilling cosplayers, musical acts, and lively crowd—which all contributed to make this event successful—we're excited for what's to come next year.