For the video game and anime enthusiasts among us, Alodia Gosiengfiao needs no introduction. This doll-faced beauty has gotten worldwide acclaim for her cosplaying skills, and she frequently gets invited to be a guest or a judge at events and cosplaying conferences abroad. But would you believe that this gorgeous lady used to be incredibly shy?

“Actually I still have that shyness within me. I still avoid the beach,” she told Female Network, giggling, during the recent press conference held by FHM Magazine (she’s their July 2013 cover girl!). So how does she transform herself from a self-confessed shy girl into a confident cosplay star? Read on to find out!

1. IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON’T START AT THE TOP.
“I think it’s not a one-time thing. You learn it over time. Like, wag ka muna sa pinaka-taas (Don’t start at the top.). Little by little,” shares Alodia.

2. SLOWLY REACH OUT TO A BIGGER CROWD.
“Say you have a fear of public speaking like I did. You can start in your class, or in your group, you can voice out your thoughts,” says Alodia. “Then little by little, that group rose, like buong class, then buong batch niyo na. And then you do something public. And then later you’ll realize, na-overcome mo na pala (you’ve already overcome it.).”

3. STICK TO WHAT MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE.
Alodia admits that she enjoys cosplaying because it gives her an opportunity to pretend to be someone else. “Putting on a costume is like my safety net,” says Alodia. “Little by little, I’ve done sexier characters because of my [cosplaying] friends.”

(Photo by Mike Dee.)