HOWLERS MANILA Cosplay & Music Festival is one of the most ambitious events in 2024 as it encouraged communities from various fields, ranging from cosplaying, esports, gaming, music, biking, etc. to merge at the CCP Open grounds.
But the massive scale of the festivities didn't just end there as the event introduced one major challenge: Breaking the Guinness Book of World Records by having the most number of cosplayers dressing up as video game characters. To add to the spectacle, singer-songwriter, Rico Blanco would perform in front of the stage.
And while this may seem to be a very lucrative event, the cosplaying community had a lot of negative feedback.
Cosplayers were fainting and passing out
A cosplayer by the name of Cessair Castaño posted on her social media page providing updates as to what has transpired.
"Cosers who enter the Guinness area aren't allowed to go out unless with an escort (we weren't told until we tried to go out) No food and water was just provided here. We have a DJ entertaining us though...But a lot of cosers are too hot, hungry, or tired to enjoy. Sayang 'di makaikot and enjoy the rest of the event until counting is done," she revealed.
"Update: I asked some more marshalls and volunteers, you can't go out unless you have an escort and if you need to use the bathroom," she said in the comments section.
Eventually it was highlighted that there were about 150 cosplayers in the vicinity, followed by an alarming message.
"Update on my photo: the heat and lack of food made me pass out. Idk if totoo na we were told na food would be provided because we were being held pero the hours before I passed out nothing was provided or even after according to other cosers."
Then when comparing the cosplay changing areas vs. the media room, it seemed the event wasn't geared to support the needs of cosplayers. Imagine having thick layers of makeup and overloaded costumes, standing under the sun for hours.
"Update: currently in the media room resting. It's larger, more spacious and ventilated than the changing room of cosplayers. Someone else passed out and there are reports of several cosplayers getting dizzy. Apparently na cancel raw ang Guiness? I wonder if my fellow cosers were fed and compensated. Please be okay guys."
Someone ended up in the ambulance
But the worst suddenly happened for Castaño as she ended up inside the ambulance due to the severe exhaustion. She then recounted that she suffered from low blood sugar.
"Update after event 1: heres proof of me in the ambulance. They didnt bring me to the hospital (which is fine since I didnt want to go there and end up paying fees),"
"Yes I'm laughing after I found out from Heart that people thought she was the one who passed AND the EMT told me how dangerously low my blood sugar was," she reflected.
What's even more shocking was her account that she had to walk to the ambulance instead of being carried by a wheel chair or stretcher.
"Possible reason why I wasn't carried or put in a wheel chair but walked to the ambulance was because the security didn't even let the medic/EMTs into the area... Yes the actual staff told me this."
Various sources have confirmed to SPIN.ph about the experiences that cosplayers had to endure, having the same complaints that Castaño explained earlier. There were even memes on social media, comparing the event to CONQuest 2023.
However these sources also mentioned that the other aspects of the event were heavily praised, specifically the Twitch booth and esports arena.
Howlers Manila apologizes to the community
In light of the recent incident, Howlers issued an apology on their official Facebook page.
They said: "We owe you a heartfelt apology. To all the cosplayers, fans, and attendees who poured your heart into this festival, we are deeply sorry for the experience you had at Howlers."
"Our goal was to bring you an unforgettable event, and we understand that in trying to break a Guinness World Record, we overlooked your basic needs. The heat, lack of food, drinks, and seating were major mistakes on our part."
"We know many of you suffered, and some even fainted. You deserve better than that. Your hard work in your costumes, the time and energy you put into attending – none of it should have been at the expense of your well-being."
"We take full responsibility and can only promise that we’ll do better. You trusted us to create a safe and enjoyable space, and we let you down. We’re learning from this, and we’re committed to ensuring this doesn’t happen again. Thank you for your patience, your love for the community, and for sticking with us through this."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
