Long before he stepped onto stages, won competitions, or became known as one of the community’s most recognizable crossplayers, JL was simply Jeffrey L. Del Rosario — a quiet high school student, an artist at heart, and a caregiver to his parents. Outside the flashes of cameras and convention floors, he describes himself humbly: “Nothing so special to me actually, but cosplaying added some color into my life.”

That color arrived unexpectedly in 2009.

A simple high school mall trip exposed him to a world he didn’t know existed, a world where anime characters walked alongside everyday people, where fiction slipped into reality, and where someone like him could belong. “Seeing fictional characters become reality through cosplayers really astonished me,” he recalls. It was joy, wonder, and inspiration all at once.

But with that inspiration came resolve. As a chubby teenager dreaming of becoming the characters he admired, he disciplined himself and began a fitness journey. He wanted to wear the costume, yes — but more than that, he wanted to feel worthy of stepping into that world.

His first cosplay came during the height of Naruto Shippuden: Akatsuki Konan — a character of origami, paper, and quiet power. And it marked the beginning of his crossplay journey. “I felt some kinda freedom,” he says, “because I’m able to be like a girl character even just for a short period of time.”

Freedom. Belonging. Excitement.
Those feelings would become the foundation of everything that followed.

Cosplay started as an escape. Over time, it became home.

THE TURNING POINT: FROM PASSION TO POSSIBILITY

For years, cosplay was simply JL’s sanctuary, something he crafted with his own hands, stitching thrifted fabrics under dim light, learning makeup by trial and error, transforming what he had into magic. He never expected anything more from it.

But in 2018, destiny nudged him forward.

His Japanese friend Kazuki invited him to cosplay Monkey D. Luffy “just for fun.” JL wasn’t yet a One Piece fan, but he joined anyway. It’s a decision that would quietly rewrite the trajectory of his life. Photographer Mickey Julian captured a single shot of his Luffy that afternoon. That photo circulated, reached the right people, and ended up unlocking an opportunity he still calls one of his life’s “core memories.”

In 2019, he was chosen as the official Luffy ambassador for the Skechers x One Piece collaboration, one of only five selected. When given the choice between cash or limited-edition shoes, JL chose the shoes without hesitation. “I want to have something I can bring home from that core memory of mine,” he shares.

And yet, even as cosplay evolved from hobby into livelihood, JL stayed grounded. Integrity guided him. He accepted only commissions he could finish with care. “I just enjoy it and earn from it — not just money but knowledge, memories, experiences, and trust,” he says. That trust, in turn, built the connections that would become his community.

THE TRANSFORMATION WITHIN

Cosplay didn’t just shape JL externally — it carved out the person he would grow into.

He learned confidence from the stages he once feared. He learned strength in the face of criticism and boundaries in the face of insincerity. He learned that not all connections are genuine — and that self-love sometimes means letting go.

“I used to be a people pleaser,” JL admits. But cosplay taught him to respect his own worth. It taught him discernment, growth, and maturity. And in return, he found genuine friends, collaborators, and supporters. Through cosplay, he built bridges to major brands: Vans, Universal Robina, SM, Nikke: Goddess of Victory, Solaire.

What began with a hand-sewn Akatsuki cloak grew into armor builds, elaborate transformations, and mastery of makeup, crafting, and performance. His first major armor build? Heartseeker Vayne — followed by Wonder Woman. He pushed himself beyond shyness into the spotlight, from introvert to someone capable of inspiring crowds.

And then there was the moment that still feels surreal — the moment he calls his great personal breakthrough.

During his first competition, the respected crossplayer and cosplay icon Jin Joson stood up and gave him a standing ovation.

That moment didn’t just boost him. It unlocked him.

“I collected some confidence that day,” he recalls, “and I was finally proud of myself.”

It was the affirmation he didn’t know he needed — and one he would later pass on to others.

CROSSING WORLDS: COSPLAY, K-POP, AND COMMUNITY

As JL honed his skills in cosplay — mastering sewing, crafting, and stage presence — he realized that the lessons he was learning extended beyond just anime and video game characters. The artistry, performance, and discipline required in cosplay naturally opened doors to other forms of expression. One of the most unexpected was K-pop, a world that combined performance, character embodiment, and vibrant community — all elements he had already been exploring through cosplay.

College introduced him to this new arena. A class project required performing a song or dance in a non-English language, and JL teamed up with a friend who was part of a 2NE1 Philippines fanpage. The project became an entry point into K-osplay — dressing, performing, and embodying K-pop idols on stage. The skills he had refined through cosplay — costume creation, makeup artistry, attention to character detail, and confidence in front of an audience — translated perfectly to this new stage.

Performing as CL of 2NE1 earned him recognition, awards, and even guest judge appearances at K-pop events. What started as cosplay had blossomed into a broader performance art, where music, movement, and character converged. JL notes that both worlds taught him the same values: creativity, dedication, respect, and the importance of community.

“Cosplay and K-pop are connected,” he explains. “Both allow me to express what’s inside my heart — through crafting, performing, and sharing my passion with others who feel the same love for the art.”

Through this intersection, JL discovered that his artistry wasn’t limited to one fandom. It was a bridge between worlds, a way to connect, inspire, and grow in multiple communities simultaneously.

WHAT HE CARRIES FORWARD

When asked what he would tell his younger self — the shy student holding scissors and dreaming of characters coming to life — JL answers with tenderness:

“Please continue. Be brave. You will shine while sharing the light with others… You will be the most flamboyant gay cosplayer in town.”

And to anyone who stands where he once stood — afraid, unsure, self-conscious — his message is simple, soft, and powerful:

“Everyone is welcome here. Show your colors and creativity. There are people waiting for you in this community.”

JL doesn’t want to be remembered for the grandest armor, the most detailed transformation, or the most accurate portrayal.

He wants to be remembered for kindness.

For passing on what was once given to him — acceptance, mentorship, inspiration, and light.

Because for JL, cosplay was never about becoming someone else.
It was about becoming more of himself — and helping others do the same.

Follow him in his socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLMondragon93

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlmondragon_