In Saber's Light: How A Cosplayer Committed For Progress

A character sticks with us through life, but for Angel, Saber chose her.

It was 2018 when Filipino cosplayer Angel Manahan first debuted her Artoria Pendragon, commonly known as Saber from the "Fate/stay night" series. She was excited to show the character to the public as a way to celebrate her first paycheck.

Angel Manahan on her first Debut as Saber in 2018 (Photo: Janelle Adame Magat Barbeyto)

During that time, Angel bought her first wig and eye contacts to match her favorite character, back when access to such accessories was considered rare. "Back in 2018, the cosplay community was still small and niche, with only a few shops or marketplaces in the country offering such accessories," Manahan told Kuhaku Media.

Due to those limitations, she, like many other cosplayers at the time, had to style secondhand wigs, repurpose the clothes they had, or purchase from thrift shops.

Years later, she debuted an improved version of her Saber cosplay at the CosKon cosplay competition during the recently concluded ToyCon 2026 in Pasay, the same venue where she debuted her first Saber build. She presented her costume to the public on June 14 alongside 13 other participants finalists for the competition.

Angel Manahan in her improved Saber Cosplay on ToyCon Ph's CosKon Competition on June 14. (Photo: ToyConPH / YouTube)

"It had been almost a year since I last joined a cosplay competition or performed on a big stage... Even though I didn’t win, the experience was unforgettable. Performing one of my dream cosplays is something I had look forward since I was a teenager," Angel shared.

For Angel, the experience was magical and marked a personal victory in her hobby, from her late-night sessions crafting the costume and practicing her choreography. In a written response to the publication, she credited her progress to the people who supported her craft and assisted her before and during the competition.

Despite her personal commitments in life Angel believes that she can still improve on her cosplays including those from her childhood. "Never let life or other people discourage you from leveling up your craft. Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep creating," Angel shared. She believes that there are still more opportunities to showcase her passion beyond the grand stage where she celebrates creativity, community, and the joy of being your childhood's favorite character.