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!
26. Hanna Sheena Manuel
In this particular photo, Hanna Sheena Manuel reminded me of former Pitoy Moreno model Crispy Santamaria who was one of Imelda Marcoses’ favorite models. The girl from Tuguegarao walked daintily, almost shyly, in an emerald Terno looking every inch a Filipina Mestiza. Beautifully simple!
*****
27. Hannah Ruth Sison
One of my favorite costumes for the evening was a barong-like dress done in early 1900s style displayed by the effervescent Hannah Ruth Sison. All she needed was a flouncy hat to complete the 1900′s look but… Pinoys are not into dressy hats so never mind, aahaha! Anyway, I really like this pastor’s kid and fear that she is not getting enough attention from the press and pageant fans. So I do hope to God that the judges see what I see in her…
*****
28. Carla Jenina Lizardo
A partly-beaded Terno, white as snow, with a matching abanico – good choice for the porcelain beauty of Carla Jenina Lizardo. The PTV 4 anchor looked like an ice princess, yet the coldness of her costume ended where her warm smile began. And I must add that I loved the serpentina tail of her gown for it’s cut and opacity…
*****
29. Krischelle Halili
Could the legendary Sarimanok be the inspiration for this multi-colored gown? That’s what I was thinking when Krischelle Halili took her turn on stage. Loved the hues on the dress and the way it would lead my eye up and down the figure of this wrestling fan. The flurry of what looked like faux feathers on her skirt was also a nice touch.
*****
30. Joy Gangan
The leggy Joy Marie Gangan, who grew up on an Isabella farm, came out in tribal-wear with a thick train of dark feathers that caressed the stage as she strode down the catwalk. It would have been fun if she were carrying a spear – somehow, the outfit reminded me of hunting. One thing though I noticed is that this pretty face sticks to one kind of smile. Hoping to see a bigger range of emotion on Joy who is a favorite of mine…
*****
