By Mary Dienne Bernal & Julianne Sarrosa
Drawing inspiration from hometown festivals to creatures of Filipino myths and folklore, the national costumes for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas has been generating a buzz among pageant fans and netizens alike.
As always, the binibini candidates have turned to unique and innovative ways to showcase, not just their beauty, but also the country’s culture through their costumes, alongside local fashion designers.
Here are some of the creative looks presented at this year’s pageant:
Binibini 28, Gabrielle Basino of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, looked like a painting of the Virgin Mary in her national costume designed by Ken Batino and Jevin Salaysay.
In an Instagram live, the candidate explained that the costume was inspired by the Padul-ong Festival in her hometown which, according to Gabrielle, shows the transportation of the Blessed Virgin’s image from one port to another.
Another candidate who paid tribute to her local festival is Binibini 8, Herlene “Hipon” Budol. She is rocking a custom made by designer Patrick Isorena. She also shared on a Facebook post a sketch of her national costume.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Herlene said that her costume was inspired by Higantes Festival, with the face of the giant looking like the 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray.
“Si Catriona po yung ulo natin dahil isa po siya sa mga na feature ng Angono noong kasali po siya sa Miss Universe po yata yon,” Herlene said.
Binibini 5, Karen Laurie Mendoza of Iloilo City also took a nod at her hometown’s cultural roots with her national costume designed by Tata Blas Pinuela.
In a Facebook post, Pinuela explained that the costume drew inspiration from Panay Bukidnon’s “Binukot princess” which refers to a tradition of a young girl being kept from the public eye and the local panubok embroidery among others.
On the other hand, Binibini 35 Diana Mackey of Nueva Ecija showcased her costume designed by Malayka Yamas. The costume captures Nueva Ecija as the Rice Capital of the Philippines, having palays, rice fields and bahay kubo on Diana’s costume.
Meanwhile, Cainta, Rizal’s Binibini 1 Stacey Gabriel is one stylish taho vendor in her national costume inspired by the humble magtataho which was designed by Erjohn dela Serna.
She even has the iconic “Good Morning” towel as a headpiece and the “barya sa tenga” down to boot!
Binibini 7, Graciella Lehmann of Oriental Mindoro, on the other hand, brought Philippine folklore to life with her Tikbalang-inspired national costume designed by celebrity artist Paolo Ballesteros.
In an Instagram post, Paolo also shared a sketch alongside some details about the costume, which he said was “fashioned with intertwined branches of the Balete tree.”
And finally, Binibini 24 Patricia Go looks ethereal in her national costume which took inspiration from the Philippine Mariposa.
According to fashion designer Ehrran Montoya, the costume is also inspired by the “majestic wonders” of the La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City.
The national costume looks of 40 Binibining Pilipinas candidates are currently on display at the National Costume exhibit held at Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.
It will be open to the public until July 15.
The Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Coronation Night will be held on Sunday, July 31.
