Mother Nature definitely smiled at this year’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) National Costume Competition as it turns the spotlight on Flora and Fauna, aiming to highlight the country’s biodiversity.
Set at the heart of great weavers’ land, Sultan Kudarat, MUPh staged yet again a majestic exhibition of colorful, creative costumes as the ladies vying for this year’s crown displayed their national costumes featuring local facets of the earth, particularly plants and animals.
Among those who captured the night are candidates from Davao City, Siargao, Toledo, Zambales, and Leyte wearing creative and extraordinary plant- and animal-designed masterpieces. Equally stunning and cementing their names as heavy favorites are Bacoor and Quezon Province, flaunting intricate couture.
But the night will not go away without the goddesses of them all. And three mesmerizing ladies left Sultan Kudarat enchanted. Southern California in her finesse Tubbataha Reef-inspired costume, Tacloban with a well-executed monitor lizard dress, and Iloilo City with a unique costume materialized after the “ugto ugto” left the viewers in awe and took home the best in national costume accolade.
Not only did the show highlight each regions nuanced natural life, but also celebrated the artistry of local artists and designers. In the last three years, the organization continues to show off vast features of the Philippines with themes Manila Carnival Queens (2021), “habi” or weaving (2022), and “ani” or harvest (2023).
“Inspired by the theme “Philippine Flora and Fauna,” this year’s costumes are a spectacular display of Filipino artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship,” the MUPh wrote on their facebook post.
Apart from the colors, the creativity, how they “slay” the runway, Mother Nature must be very proud watching her children pay homage to the abundant life she holds dear.
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