I was so very happy to hear that this year’s Bb. Pilipinas Fashion Show at the Araneta Coliseum (March 6, 2014) was going to incorporate the National Costume competition. What a great idea from Team Binibini! I was eager to see the girls parade in Filipiniana of all kinds and dying to see the designs. This is not just about the girls, but about the beauty and significance of their costumes.
My major irritation though is that they failed to mention the designers of these beautiful creations! What would it have cost to include their names somehow during the program? Even to flash the designer’s names on screen would have been enough. What an oversight, in my humble opinion!
Nevertheless, I loved almost all the gowns and costumes and appreciated each one. In this series of blog posts, I’ll go through each costume and share my thoughts… those highlighted in RED are the gowns and girls that impressed me!
6. Anabel Christine Tia
Anabel Christine Tia came out on stage as bright at the morning sun in this pretty tribal dress carrying baskets of Filipino veggies. Boy, did this Misamis Occidental lass make me crave for Pinakbet! Now if a vegetable seller came up to me looking like this, I think I would buy all of her produce, as well as the outfit… 
*****
7. Aiza Faeldonia
An earthy beauty, Aiza Faeldonia is at her best when she is decked in dramatic wear. There is something about her cheekbones and the way she lowers her eyes that give her a princess-of-the-south aura. Well, she IS from the south – Sultan Kudarat to be specific. This Cher and Cherie Gil look-alike was fabulous in this Muslim-inspired costume but I did not quite like the spear-tip on her crown. It made me think of Katipuneros for some odd reason…
*****
8. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
I kept whispering, “beautiful” as Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach walked like a living dream on the stage of Araneta Coliseum. One of best creations of the night, this beige Terno stood out for it’s crisscross stripes and thick but subtle bead work. Very sexy. Very elegent. Very breathtaking. Her loose chignon complimented her look as she left behind her traditional fierceness replacing it with a queenly glow. For ABQ, the former actress turned beauty queen was one of the highlights of the show!
*****
9. Joy Antonette Diaz
This modernized Maria Clara gown has a captivating silhouette and needs no glitter to stand out! The American-bred Joy Antonette Diaz who traces her roots to Dagupan was a Joy to watch as she sowly worked the stage. If I were ever invited to the Oscars (dream on girl!) I’d wear something just like this!
*****
10. Shauna Indra Curran
How appropriate that this half- Igorot lovely would don an Igorot-inspired costume! Shauna Indra Curran‘s other half is Scottish and she is just downright beautiful. Going back to her costume, I’m enamored by the beads she is wearing, and quite like how they look on her ankles. Nice Igorot dance move too with the hands and mincing steps…
****
