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Harry Potter lives on in Hogwarts Philippines


The trailer for the final installment of the phenomenal Harry Potter movies, which will start its commercial run this week, tells us that "it all ends here." But for fans all over the world, it's far from over. "Even if the movies have finished and the books have been read, we still have each other. We still have Pinoy Harry Potter, so tuloy pa rin," says Giselle Goloy of Hogwarts Philippines. Dressed as characters from Harry Potter, Goloy and a few other members of the local fans club were interviewed by Kara David on News to Go on Wednesday.
The thousand-strong group began in 2001 as an e-club. Today, their home is at their online castle at Hogwarts Philippines. "Di na siya limited sa online, kasi nagkikita-kita na kami, although members come from different parts of the country and even the world," says Frances Sangil, who has attended two conferences abroad. "We read papers, like critical papers on Harry Potter. We meet academics, professionals, and fellow fans," says Sangil, who came to the interview dressed as the conflicted wizard Severus Snape. Sangil says it's a misconception that Harry Potter is only for children. "Siguro the first book, but later on makikita mo yung progression niya eh. In fact pag pinanood mo yung last movie iisipin mo, pambata pa ba ito? Kind of scary, baka kailangan ipikit ng bata yung mata nila during some of the scenes," says Sangil. She says that even if people think it's for children, it appeals to all ages because the themes are universal. "The battle between good and evil, love, friendship..." enumerates Sangil, waving her wand. The wand replica is one of many collectible Harry Potter items belonging to Hogwarts Philippines. On News to Go, they displayed about ten percent of the entire collection. "Some of these are actually prop replicas of the items used in the movies, like her wand, which is the most powerful wand, the elder wand which plays a big role," says Jerricho Reynaldo, who came dressed in the colors of Gryffindor, Harry Potter's class. Reynaldo says that the items were bought from the United States, and the wands cost three to four thousand pesos each The group also has limited edition busts that come with certificates. "Ron Weasley is the rarest, there are only 700 pieces in the entire world. This is number 360," he says reverently. Apart from their aesthetic value, Reynaldo says that the collectibles are memorabilia not only of Harry Potter, but their childhood. "Bukod sa maganda siyang tingnan sa cabinet, I think it reminds us of the phenomenon that we grew up with. Na pag tinitingnan namin... naaalala mo yung kwento - the stories, the movies, and all the memories we had with friends in the group," says Reynaldo. But it seems the group will be making more memories, even after the final movie is released this week. "We're not just limited to being fans. We actually do outreach programs, and we have community service. So 'di lang kami for Harry Potter, but we carry the spirit of Harry Potter in our lives," says Sangil. She adds that a lot of people only see the story superficially, because it involves witchcraft. "But underneath all that it's really all about love and friendship and how these things are the most important things in the world," she says. "Good will always triumph over evil," adds Reynaldo. Goloy adds that Harry Potter has also awakened in people a love for reading. "Nabuhayan yung love ng mga taong magbasa. Kasi in this day and age na may technology and everything, 'di na masyadong nagbabasa ang mga tao ng libro. But with Harry Potter, it was something that ignited the spark for people to start reading again," says Goloy, dressed as journalist-witch Rita Skeeter. What sets members of Hogwarts Philippines apart from other fan clubs is their collection of memorabilia, and their costumes which they wear to premieres and events. Others choose not to join a club, but express their fanaticism differently. Jean Lau, who is currently doing a #dearharry flood on Twitter, says that the idea of being part of a club makes her personal fanaticism feel diluted. Lau chooses to fly solo because she doesn't want to feel pressured. "I feel the purity of my belief when I do it alone," she told GMA News Online. "Also because I know we all experience it differently. Like love, you're always alone in this love thing. You never really fully understand how someone feels for something or someone. I don't want to pretend," says Lau, whose latest tribute to Harry Potter is "Dear Harry, if it weren't for you I wouldn't believe that "it all ends here" actually entails a beginning." "I know most people think it's 'It All Ends Here' because it's the last movie. But real fans would know it's really about the end of Voldemort, and it was James who said "Until the very end." So if to most people it all ends here it's the end, people who know better know it's only the beginning," she says. - CARMELA G. LAPEÑA/YA, GMA News

Tags: harrypotter
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