Filipino designers’ creativity and originality were aplenty during the Binibining Pilipinas 2022 National Costume Show held recently at New Frontier Theater, Araneta City.
After Gazini Ganados’s 2019 Miss Universe Best National Costume win, this year’s entries were a labor of love creations by our homegrown, world-class talents.
A list of 12 standouts should include:
1. Gabrielle Camille Basiano’s costume depicts the Padul-Ong Festival’s adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared as the Lady in White in Hamorawan Spring, designed by Ken Batino and Jevin Salaysay.
2. Cyrille Payumo made a strong statement with an ensemble inspired by the rich culture and heritage of the indigenous Aeta Magantsi people with the costume’s ornaments intricately designed by the Aeta natives themselves.
3. Herlene ‘Hipon Girl’ Budol did not disappoint her fans with her Angono Higantes Festival-inspired costume highlighted with a giant head of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, designed by Patrick Isorena and Ebok Sausa Pinpiño.
4. Chelsea Fernandez’ lovely Sto. Niño and San Juanico Bridge-inspired costume made from authentic Eastern Visayas materials, created by Nick Guarino.
5. Karen Laurrie Mendoza is a reverence to Binukot, a practice chosen by girls to make them desirable maidens with a headpiece that portrays “bayanihan” or the spirit of helping out needy people, designed by Kennedy Jhon Gasper.
6. Yllana Marie Aduana’s costume made by Jomar Peralta is a masterpiece not only inspired by Mariang Makiling, but it also incorporates the culture and traditions of Sinoloan, Laguna, her hometown.
7. Roberta Angela Tamondong’s costume designed by Lanny Liwag depicts the seven lakes and Buko Festival of San Pablo, Laguna. It used Cavinti and Luisiana techniques in crafting this fabulous creation.
8. Diana Mackey shone in her costume that drew inspiration from her hometown of Nueva Ecija’s rich agriculture and heritage. Created by Malayka Yamas, it represents the Filipinos’ distinct and diverse culture.
9. Jashmin-Lyn Dimaculangan owned the stage with her costume inspired by Albay’s tourism logo of the Ibong Adarna, with its vibrant colors representing the LGBTYQIA+ community, designed by Er Stephen Alvarado.
10.. Christine Juliane Oplaza created excitement on a James William Barrios’s sexy masterpiece, inspired by Zambales’ majestic cove and amazing life underwater.
11. Natasha Ellema Jung showcased the creation of Daniel Guarino titled “Lara”, which was made of local products like banig or mats of dried leaves. It pays homage to the cultural uniqueness and creativity of Samarnon weavers.
12. Graciella Sheine Lehmann’s costume of a glamorized Tikbalang, a horse demon from Philippine folklore, is awesome, but still this Paolo Ballesteros’s inspired creation may not be appropriate for a national costume.
The winner of Best National Costume will be known on Coronation Night. The grand coronation is set on July 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Bicolana triathlete joins Miss Philippines Earth 2022
Eryka Vina Tan, a 27-year-old Entrepreneurship graduate from San Beda University, made the top 20 list of finalists of the ongoing Miss Philippines Earth 2022 pageant. A Miss San Beda 2013 titlist, Tan is in her first national pageant after her first runner-up finishes in Miss Ibalong and Miss Bicolandia 2018.
“My love for the ocean made me decide to join Miss Philippines Earth, as a platform for sharing my advocacy on marine conservation, an important issue that Filipinos should be aware of,” said the Saudi Arabia-born triathlete.
On Miss Philippines Earth “Loves Fauna” theme for 2022, Tan chose to tackle the decreasing number of the Philippine Cobra. She thinks that we should all help in promoting and developing innovative and sustainable actions on climate conservation to protect endangered species and other wildlife in the face of global climate change.
A former flight attendant for Saudi Arabia Airlines, Tan takes inspiration from fellow Bicolana beauty queens Venus Raj, Catriona Gray, and Shane Tormes. Tan could not wait to bond with her Top 20 co-finalists Merhyl Kit Paraluman (Alabel, Sarangani),Trisha Van Eldik (Balagtas, Bulacan), Nice Lampad (Bayugan City), Kiara Liane Wellington (Cebu City), Rache Santos (Dipolog City), Chrisdalyn Abrenica (Dubai, UAE), Jasmine Paguio (Toronto, Canada), Jimema Tempra (Jasaan, Misamis Oriental), Danielle Mckaye Dela Cruz (Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte), Trina Martinez (Makati City), Jennifer De Asis (Mandaluyong City), Justiene Ortega (City Of Manila), Alexandra Jean Bejarin (Midsayap, North Cotabato), Jazmine Calma (Municipality Of Pateros), Micaela Legarda (Muntinlupa City), Maria Lourdez De Leon (Quezon City), Jarizz Borcelas (Sagay City), Jenny Ramp (Santa Ignacia, Tarlac) and Angel Santos (Trece Martires City).