Apart from gracing the red carpets of movie premieres, film festivals, and renowned awards nights worldwide, Michael Cinco is also present in the realm of international pageants.
It had been noted that save for Pia Wurtzbach, who wore the iconic blue ball gown Michael had created for her farewell walk at Miss Universe 2016, none of the candidates he dressed in the Miss Universe pageants had emerged as titleholders.
He created the looks for Miss Czech Republic Klára Vavrušková, Miss Canada Nova Stevens, and Miss Romania Bianca Tirsin in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant in Florida, USA; no one among them made it to top 21 semi-finals.
In the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel, seven months later, Michael dressed Miss USA 2021 Elle Smith, who did not advance in the competition.
Was he aware that pageant fans were speculating he could be a "jinx" in the Miss Universe contest?
"Yeah, I think they told me there's a jinx," he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview on the sideline of the Philippine Legacy Gala 2023 - Michael Cinco: The Impalpable Dream of España 3, at the grand ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Monday, November 27, 2023.
Michael said, "Whenever I dress up some candidates, they always lose.
"Sometimes they are at the top of the game, but when they dress up with my outfit, they told me that they lost because of my gown.
"I don't believe in that."
Read: Iconic Michael Cinco gowns worn by beauty queens, Hollywood celebrities are up for sale
IMPALPABLE DREAM OF SPAIN
Meanwhile, at the Philippine Legacy Gala 2023 - Michael Cinco: The Impalpable Dream of España, the Dubai-based fashion designer presented his newest collection comprising 50 haute couture looks that paid homage to Spain's culture, art, history, and architecture.
In the interview, Michael said he was mainly inspired by iconic landmarks such as La Sagrada de Familia and the works of Spanish artists like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, among many others.
He said, "I'm always inspired by my travels. Whenever I travel, I get some inspiration from the culture, from the city, from the architecture, from the arts that I visit... in each city that I visit.
"And this time, I'm inspired by the beautiful culture of Spain. It has been always my inspiration.
"And this is actually my third time to be inspired with the beautiful heritage of Spanish culture. I did it in 2011, in 2013, and now in 2023.
"I am always inspired by the beautiful architecture, the Spanish artists like Godin, Picasso, Dali, Miro.
"And I'm also inspired by their beautiful and exquisite embroideries, the matador jackets, and the flamenco jackets."
Apart from showing his latest creations, Michael also unveiled his new perfume series and jewelry line.
The proceeds from The Philippine Legacy Gala 2023 - Michael Cinco: The Impalpable Dream of España have been earmarked for the Philippine Missionari Della Fondazione di Carita Inc. and the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation.
Michael said, "This is my way of giving back to the Filipino community. And I'm very grateful to the producers who mounted this show. And I'm very happy."
He later added, "I hope this fashion show like this kind of event where it's for charity will be a beacon of hope to all Filipinos not just Filipinos in the Philippines, but all over the world to work harder in whatever career or whatever field they are."
THE PHILIPPINE LEGACY GALA 2023 AWARDEES
Michael was honored at the event with the Legacy Award of Excellence in Global Fashion, along with the Juan Ponce Enrile, who received the Highest Distinction Award, and Margarita “Tingting” Delos Reyes Cojuangco, who received the prestigious Legacy Award of Excellence in Philanthropic Missions.
The gala also recognized outstanding figures in showbiz—Sharon Cuneta for Music, Coco Martin for Television Entertainment, and Ruffa Gutierrez for Outstanding Achievement in the Entertainment Industry.
The other awardees were Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz for Excellence in City Governance; Mayor Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan for Excellence in City Legislation and Governance; Congresswoman Shernee Tan-Tambut for her efforts in Cultural Heritage Protection; Shirley Halili-Cruz for her contributions to Dance; Ann Ong for her expertise in Handcrafted Jewelry; Myrna Tang-Yao for her notable contributions to Women Empowerment, and June Cheryl “Chaye” Cabal-Revilla for her outstanding achievements in Corporate Finance Management.
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