The annual National Costume segment remains one of the most anticipated highlights of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant. This year was no exception.
On April 16, 2026, Filipino artisanship stood at the forefront, with designers incorporating indigenous techniques, handcrafted elements, and regional symbolism into boldly modern creations.
MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2026: NATIONAL COSTUME
Flowing with power, and purpose, this year’s presentation was anchored on a unifying and deeply symbolic theme: Water.
Across the stage, the delegates’ national costumes transformed liquid elements into wearable art, expressing the Philippines’ intimate relationship with seas, rivers, rain, and ritual.
Read: 15 Standouts at Miss Universe PH 2026 evening gown prelims
Below are Philippine Entertainment Portal's favorites at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 National Costume Competition, where heritage met high fashion in a spectacular celebration of identity, imagination, and pride.
TACLOBAN - JACQUELINE GULRAJANI
Titled "Waves of Courage, The Heart of Hope," Jacqueline Gulrajani’s national costume by Charlotte Rodriguez is inspired by the tides of loss and survival following Typhoon Yolanda, channeling Tacloban City’s resilience and renewal through water—both a force of destruction and a symbol of rebirth.
BAGUIO - ROXIE BAEYENS
The swan boats of Burnham Park serve as the inspiration for Roxie Baeyens' national costume, designed by Ehrran Montoya. Their story took on new meaning when they were used in flood rescue operations in Cagayan, standing as symbols of unity and Filipinos helping one another.
PANGASINAN - DONNA REIN NUGUID
Donna Rein Nuguid’s national costume, designed by Thonete De Ocampo, draws inspiration from Amansinaya, the ancient sea goddess and guardian of waters in Philippine mythology.
It honors the province’s enduring bond with the sea.
ILOILO PROVINCE - NICKLYN JUTAY
Designed by Al Manases Alcoran, Nicklyn Jutay’s Iloilo Province national costume celebrates Visayan water culture, reflecting the movement of rivers and seas. Titled “Pearl of Panay,” the design is inspired by diwal, or angel wing clams.
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - ALEXANDRA COLMENARES
Alexandra Colmenares celebrates Negros Occidental’s marine life and coastal identity through her national costume designed by Ruffy Itaas.
Inspired by Victorias City’s sardine industry, “Victorias: Pride of the Visayan Seas” pays tribute to hardworking fishermen and local food culture.
PAMPANGA - ALLYSON HETLAND
Designed by Sai Macapagal, Allyson Hetland’s national costume is inspired by the vibrant Libad fluvial festival of Apalit, Pampanga.
It pays tribute to Saint Peter the Apostle and the enduring fishermen’s tradition shaped by faith and communal devotion.
MANILA - JUSTINE FELIZARTA
Justine Felizarta wears “Manila: Jewel of the Galleon Trade,” a national costume by Patrick Isorena inspired by the Manila–Acapulco Galleon Trade that established Manila as a key gateway of global commerce in the East.
CEBU PROVINCE - NICOLE BORROMEO
Nicole Borromeo’s national costume for Cebu Province, designed by Art Don, is titled Reyna sa Kadagatan: The Coral Majesty of Cebu.
The design celebrates its thriving coral reefs and vibrant marine life through fluid, ocean-inspired movement, reminiscent of the Coral Triangle.
ILOILO CITY - ZESTAH ESPINOSA
Designed by Tata Blas Pinuela, Zestah Espinosa’s national costume pays tribute to the revitalized Iloilo River.
According to @visualsbynicolens, the piece highlights flourishing mangroves, sheltered aquatic life, and an egret’s nest, representing renewal and Iloilo’s achievement as home to one of the Philippines’ cleanest waterways.
PATEROS - KIRSTEN MARCELINO
Titled "Tainted Glory" and designed by Job Dacon, Kirsten Marcelino’s national costume for Pateros features a dramatic black mermaid silhouette crafted from silicone and recycled plastic.
Through its bold form and materials, the design confronts the Philippines’ ocean crisis caused by plastic pollution and overconsumption.
SOUTHERN LEYTE - RENEE ROSE PATUAL
Renee Rose Patual’s national costume is designed by John Hubert Capito and Deonard Mabeza.
Inspired by Kataw, the Tidebound Guardian of Limasawa, celebrates the pristine seas and mythical marine heritage of Southern Leyte.
SULTAN KUDARAT - JENROSE JAVIER
Jenrose Javier’s national costume for Sultan Kudarat, designed by Er Stephen Alvarado, is titled Kalamansig.
The piece pays tribute to the rich underwater ecosystems of the Kalamansig Marine Sanctuary, highlighting the province’s vibrant marine biodiversity and deep connection to the sea.
TUGUEGARAO CITY - JANICA AQUINO
Janica Aquino’s national costume, designed by Kennedy Jhon Gaspar and co-designed by Alexander Dela Cruz, draws inspiration from the Rio Grande de Cagayan, the Philippines’ longest river.
Interpreting the Bodies of Water theme, the design merges futuristic elements with nature to symbolize strength, continuity, and resilience—reflecting the spirit of the capital of the Cagayan Valley.
TANDAG CITY - CHRYSTEL CORREOS
Chrystel Correos’ national costume, designed by Simeon Cayetano, takes inspiration from Saalima, a mystical Surigaonon sea guardian drawn from local folklore.
Through marine textures and shell-like details, the design reflects Surigao’s coastal and riverine landscapes, honoring the enduring spirit of its waters.
ILOCOS NORTE - CHARIEZE LIANNE CACAYORIN
Charize Lianna Cacayorin’s national costume, titled “The Navigator,” is designed by Mark Castillo Manoguid and inspired by the legendary Balangay boat.
The design celebrates ancient Filipino voyagers who crossed vast oceans guided only by the stars, the winds, and the rhythm of the waves.
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - NEIL SILVA
Neil Silva’s national costume, designed by Arjay Pacunla Dumlao, is titled Diwata of the Seas: Jewel of Apo Reef Natural Park.
The design highlights the province’s pristine beaches, mangroves, marine sanctuaries, and ocean depths, portraying a sea diwata that embodies the region’s rich biodiversity and life-giving waters.
SAMAR ISLAND - CATHERINE WARDLE
The national costume of Samar Island's representative Catherine Wardle is designed by Jayne Plasabas, who used Catbalogan’s Manaragat Festival and Bungansakit, the ethereal maiden of Basey, as pegs.
TAAL- BATANGAS - JULIANA HOPE AQUINO
Juliana Hope Aquino wore a swan-inspired national costume representing Taal, Batangas, which she designed herself.
The creation puts emphasis not only on her creativity but also her resourcefulness.
CAMIGUIN - ERICA JEAN CADAYDAY
Erica Jean Cadayday’s national costume, designed by Kenneth Malayka Yamas and titled “Lab Asera,” celebrates the Camiguin's rich fishing tradition and abundant marine life.
The design features the body wrapped in a banyera, a traditional fish basket, accented with detailed fish motifs that pay tribute to the hardworking fish vendors known as Lab Asira.
BACOOR CITY - FELICIA ALDANA
Bacoor City’s Felicia Aldana wears a national costume by John Hubert Capito inspired by tahong (mussels), serving as a tribute to women who earn their livelihood and draw strength from the sea.
Rendered in deep ocean blues and vibrant emerald greens, the design echoes the iridescent sheen of mussel shells, celebrating the abundance of marine life and the labor rooted in coastal waters.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2026 finale is scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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