User talk:John Ridge Fernando

John Ridge Villarey Fernando (Born August 8, 1988 in Malate Addiratico Street Malate Manila)is A Filipino Cosplayer cosplayer model and artist. He graduated in 2009 from Ateneo de Manila University with a BFA Information Design Degree. She has been called the "Cosplay King" of the Philippines and recognized for contributing toward raising the profile of cosplay. He started cosplaying in 2003 at the age of 15 by joining various competitions in Metro Manila. His popularity began in 2003 when she won in an event called the C3 Convention in 2003 as Gun Mage Rikku of FFX-2. Since then, she cosplayed over 40 anime, video game and movie titles, appearing in various local and international conventions as a participant,performer, judge or as a guest. Her remarkable achievements in the cosplay community led her way to be recognized by various companies in the Philippines and hired her to endorse their products and services. He is one of the Ambassador and VJ For Animax-Asia known as the "Ani-mates", and the co-host of ABS-CBN's prank show called Laugh Out Loud. She also has been featured in various magazines, newspaper and TV shows locally and abroad. Fernando also appeared on the Philippine FHM 100 Sexiest Men poll, ranking #87 in 2009 and #76 in 2010. He was named by UNO Magazine as one of the Most Influential Men in the Philippines. In addition to his cosplay activities, for which he is most known, Fernando is also a blogger, performer, pianist, figure collector and BJD enthusiast.

Personal life John Ridge Fernando lives in Manila Philippines and is fond of art, fashion, video games, photography, collecting toys and figures, gadgets and playing the piano.[3] His name was taken by her mother in a name book, Ridge means "The Movie Before" and John means "prince".[3] He is of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent, His father is a Filipino-Chinese while her mother is Filipino-Spanish. His parents are Mariglor and Valentine Fernando and he has a younger sister, Christine Fernando who is a professional cosplayer and model as well.

Fernando attended Assumption College (Makati) from pre-school to Grade 2; Miriam College from Grade 3 to 4th Yr High School and Ateneo de Manila University, where he graduated year 2009 with a BFA Information Design degree.As a High school student, he was a member of the Miriam College High School Pep squad. he also works on art commissions for international clients, illustrating both digital and traditional artworks.

Career

Fernando became involved in cosplay after contact with other animé and video game enthusiasts in an internet fan forum called Animé Club. Encouraged by her friends from the forum, he started cosplaying in 2003 at the age of 15, joining various competitions in Metro Manila.[7] His first cosplayed character was a Priestess from Ragnarok Online at Ragnalaunch in Glorietta.[8] She began to attract attention when he won 3rd place in the 2003 C3 Convention as Gun Mage Rikku of Final Fantasy X-2. This led to her and her younger sister Christine Fernando being featured on the cover of Issue 14 of Culture Crash Magazine, a Manga Magazine in the Philippines.[1] Since then, she cosplayed a series of characters from over 40 animé, movie and video game titles including Witchblade, G.I. Joe, K-On!, Paradise Kiss, Evangelion, Final Fantasy X-2. As a multi-awarded cosplayer, she is now being invited to appear at conventions or to judge competitions locally and abroad. She started judging at the age of 18