This year’s Miss Universe Philippines National Costume competition celebrates agriculture.
The Leyte Normal University served as the venue of the event held on May 4, 2023.
The pre-show was hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, while the main show was hosted by Marco Gumabao.
The entire event was livestreamed via the Empire PH YouTube channel.
The pre-show featured various musical and dance presentations from I Love Tacloban band, the Leyte Normal University Dance Company, and the Pintados Dancers.
Marco kicked off the main show by acknowledging all the efforts of everyone involved in making the National Costume Competition possible in Eastern Visayas.
He also explained the theme, "For this year, the theme of our national costume competition is ani or also known as harvest because we want to highlight Philippine agriculture and pay homage to our farmers to recognize their contribution to our past, our national present economic status, and our country’s inclusive growth and success in the future.”
Here are PEP.ph’s (Philippine Entertainment Portal) top picks among the 38 delegates in this year’s competition.
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Jannarie Zarzoso wears a gold and red creation by Klevin Bartolaba.
AKLAN
Avery Mariane Sucgan dons a design by Jeru Nabayra that takes inspiration from the tamaraw, a dwarf buffalo that is found in only one place in the world: Mindoro.
APAYAO
Kristeen Mae Boccang pays tribute to the farmers in a creation by fashion designers Vinze Asuncion and Prime Aldrine
BACOLOD
Jan Marie Bordon goes for a gold costume tinged with pink, purple, and yellow hues. It is a masterpiece of Charlotte Rodriguez.
BAGUIO
Baguio's Krishnah Gravidez is wearing a national costume inspired by the popular agricultural product of her province, strawberries. Designed by Erjohn dela Serna, her costume includes a Kayabang basket and is made from Cordilleran textiles.
BENGUET
Joemay Leo celebrates the harvest of her hometown in a costume by Lhee Wel Tokia.
This was chosen as 2nd Best Costume.
BULACAN
Princess Anne Marcos showcases a Roman Sebastian design that celebrates the multi-use nipa.
CEBU PROVINCE
Emmanuelle Vera tells the story of a Filipina farmer through a Klevin Bartolaba piece.
DAVAO ORIENTAL
Kylza Ferrando Castro showcases love for the coconuts with a Patrick Isorena creation called "The Tree of Life."
ISABELA
Kimberlyn Acob brings the story of late grandparents, both of are farmers, with a design by Kennedy Jhon Gasper.
LAPU-LAPU
In a beautiful Axel Que gown, Clare Sanchez Inso shows off the flora of our country.
MAKATI CITY
Michelle Marquez Dee’s costume featured moving parts crafted by designer Michael Barrasi.
QUEZON CITY
Eileen Gonzales goes non-traditional with her Naphiel Brandon costume.
EASTERN SAMAR
Airrish Ramos's costume is characterized by many colors, textures, and accents—such as beads, pearls, tassels, to name a few.
It is a creation of John Hubert Capito.
And this won the Best In National Costume with a score of 95.2 percent.
SOUTHERN LEYTE
Kimberly Escartin eye-catching in Nick and Daniel Guarino creation.
It won third place.
NORTHERN SAMAR
Layla Yousif Adriatico’s costume by Arwin Meriales is inspired by the diwata.
The competition had one other category, the Tingog ng Filipina award that sought three winners, one from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Tingog ng Filipina gave notice to the contestants who were able to show best in their costume the produce of the regions each represent.
The winners received PHP 100,000 each. They were Krishnah Marie Gravidez of Baguio, Airrish Ramos of Eastern Samar, and Jannarie Zarzoso of Agusan del Norte.
READ MORE:
- Stacey Daniella Gabriel, threatened ba kay Herlene Budol sa Binibining Pilipinas 2022?
- Check out Diana Mackey and other Bb. Pilipinas 2022 candidates' pasarela in swimsuits
- 10 most amazing Binibining Pilipinas 2022 glam shots
- Gabby Basiano feels pressure on her second time joining Binibining Pilipinas