BREAKING traditions from Filipiniana outfits, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray wore an elaborate national costume during a pre-pageant show for the 2018 Miss Universe beauty contest on-going in Bangkok, Thailand last Monday night.
While the national costume parade has no bearing in the selection of semi-finalists, Gray’s national costume dubbed “LUZVIMINDA: Magdiwang. Lumaban. Pagyamanin” was one of the most applauded national outfits during the show.
“I want to represent the Philippines in all forms. When people see the Philippine sash, it’s just a word on a sash, but really, we’re made up of so many different places and so much different aspects to our culture,” Gray tells ABS CBN in an interview hours before the national costume parade.
Gray’s festive national attire was a collaboration among parol maker Eric Quiwa, fashion designer Jearsond for the pintados catsuit, architect-artist Carlos Buendia Jr. and popular heel make Jojo Bragais.
Buendia says that the island group of Luzon is represented by the world-renowned Christmas lantern from the province of Pampanga with a brass border designed and made in Apalit.
At the back of the parol is a painting with inscriptions of the Philippine national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” written in Baybayin, ancient Filipino alphabet. It also highlighted the victories, festivals, events, heroes, national icons, with a style inspired by the works of national artist Carlos Francisco.
The tattoos represents an individual’s journey and a public testimony recounting acts of combat, bravery, and strength, that perfectly the courageous and resilient spirit of amid trials we face today in this age and age, says Buendia.
The tattoo patterns, he adds, are authentic and based from the manuscript “Boxer Codex” written in 1590.
The island group of Mindanao in the national costume is represented by an authentic headpiece and brass accessories from South Cotabato and customized knee-high boots with embroidered designs inspired by different indigenous patterns from the southern part of the Philippines namely Manobo, Maguindanao, Yakan, Maranao, Bagobo and T’boli.
“I am super proud of Catriona who slayed the runway. There’s no part of that national costume that is not Filipino,” says Bragais after the national costume show.
Pageant fans say Gray broke pageant traditions in the Miss Universe contest when she deviated from wearing the Filipiniana and wore a different style for the national costume.
Rumors say that the whole backpiece of Gray’s national costume was supposed to light up as she walks the runway but organizers of the pageant reportedly did not allow it.
The 2018 Miss Universe beauty pageant takes to the next level as the 94 contestants will compete in swimwear and evening gown in front of a selection committee during the preliminary competition on Thursday, Dec. 13.
Organizers say that the scores from the preliminaries along with an interview portion will help determine the semifinalists during the broadcast of the Miss Universe 2018 finals on Dec. 17 (8 a.m. Manila time). (ROBERT R. REQUINTINA)
