Quick thinking saved the day for Bb. Pilipinas 2023 candidate Joy Dacoron after her original Sto. Niño national costume designed by Chino Ledesma Christopherson drew brickbats from devotees and made headlines.
The Cebu representative sashayed on stage during the Bb. Pilipinas 2023 national costume presentation in a Sinulog Festival Queen ensemble made by Cavite-based fashion designer Markie Cadag.
The event was held last night, May 18, 2023, at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao.
Joy expressed in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) after the show, "Ang mahalaga, nagawan ng paraan.
"Let's not focus on the problems. Let's reframe all the circumstances into a positive way. There's always a solution.
"Pasensiya na po sa mga naapakan ko."
Read also: Devotees offended by Sto. Niño national costume of Bb. Pilipinas 2023 candidate
Joy related to PEP.ph how she was able to change costume at the last minute, on the eve of Bb. Pilipinas 2023 National Costume Fashion Show.
"Well, actually, today nagiging festival queen ako, and I'm glad naitaguyod ko siya from yesterday na masama ang balita para sa amin.
"Actually, nung hindi pa nailabas yung national costume ko, nag-photo shoot kami March pa.
"Last night lang pinabago sa akin, so nagulat ako and ayaw ko naman maging isang kandidata na walang mailakad.
"So thank you so much na mga ka-collaboration ko and sa mga designer."
Joy detailed those nerve-wracking moments, "Actually, ito ginawa lang siya ng one and a half lang siguro, tapos pinadala agad sa akin kasi, of course, after a rehearsal, I need to sleep, beauty rest as a beauty queen, sabi nga nila."
"And then itong palda ko is existing siya from my last national costume. Ito namang Filipiniana ko is existing also."
Joy went on to apologize to those who were offended by her costume, and clarified that her only intent was to showcase her devotion to the Sto. Niño.
She said, "I'm so sorry. Wala talagang intention na magpakalat ng mga hates, especially here in our country, because everyone of us in our country are experiencing problems and of course.
"I just want to give the faith. Ako yung magiging parang testimony na si Sr. Sto. Niño is very sacred and sobrang laki na naitulong niya sa buhay ko.
"Yun lang talaga, yun lang ang gusto ko."
A devotee, Joy marched on stage carrying an image of Sto. Niño, according to a report of Cabinet Files
Read also: Apat na Binibining Pilipinas 2023 candidates, inspired din sa mga santo ang national costume
ESTIMATED COST
When asked how much was spent for the national costume, Joy said with a laugh, "So iyan yung pinaka-mahirap sagutin na question."
She went on, "Alone, yung original na costume ko, sobrang magastos talaga ang national costume. If you will ask the designers, the materials sobrang mahal.
"Kaya nasaktan ako ng sinabing possible na hindi ako maglalakad sa national stage.
"And to credit also their creativity, collaboration siguro lahat ng mga designs na meron ako, hindi ko na talaga alam.
"Kasi ito, Filipiniana, it will cost a lot, also my cape. Well, based sa mga natanong ko din sa ibang girls.
"Kasi I'm very lucky, my costumes are all collaboration so wala akong ginastos. If magbigay ako ng mga estimated [cost], siguro, roughly PHP250,000, kasi sobrang mahal na mga materials."
Joy did not forget to thank the people who helped make her participation in the beauty pageant possible.
She said, "Of course, the hard work of our designers, especially yung mga assistant nila.
"Deserve talaga din nila na huwag balewalain yung effort na ginawa nila, especially pareho na mang-approve nang opisa."
The Binibining Pilipinas 2023 coronation night is happening on Sunday, May 28, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
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