Seeing "Trese" on Netflix is truly an empowering experience. Not only did it celebrate our culture, it also showed that our folkloric tales have a space for the global stage. Viewers all over the world are introduced to aswangs, engkantos, tikbalangs, and more, as well as the rugged beauty of Manila and to Filipino bravery in the form of the show's protagonist Alexandra Trese.
You know an anime or comic is making it when fans are starting to copy some of the characters' looks. Among those that are taking inspiration from the show's unique characters are cosplayers Awie and Prince De Guzman. To celebrate the show's premiere last Independence Day weekend, the couple cosplayed some of the anime's leads, and are getting praises online for their accurate recreation.
Awie, who dressed as Alexandra Trese, and Prince as the Kambal visited city spots depicted in the series for an editorial shoot photographed by Dominic Dimagmaliw. The couple posed in one of the MRT stations and at the Balete Drive, which are some of the locations shown in the first episode. Awie even brought pieces of Chocnut, just in case there's a chance encounter with Nuno.
Apart from their onsite shoots, Awie also cosplayed the Emissary of the Underworld Goddess Ibu and Ramona, the mother of the Kambal and the wife of the god of war, Datu Talagbusao, which Prince recreated.
"First of all, thank you so much for the love and hype you've shown to my Trese cosplay," Awie posted. "You guys don't know how much preparation and heart I've put into this, portraying a character from an award-winning horror komiks showcasing our Filipino culture and mythological creatures is a lot of pressure but it is something I have taken pride in and very proud of."
"Trese" is now streaming on Netflix.