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!
31. Angelique Celine de Leon
Now this is a dress with PIZAZZ and shows just how much FUN it is in the Philippines!!! Angelique Celine de Leon matched the dress with her own verve as she flitted across the stage. It’s hard to image that Angelique is a hiphop performer because she moved more like a classical dancer during her portion. Apparently, she’s graceful in many different ways!
*****
32. Jeslyn Santos
I really love the way the designer combined the traditional Terno design with Muslim-inspired colors, detailing and sash. A beautiful blend that suited Jeslyn Santos very well. This ‘volleyballista’ tackled the stage with determination to show her best!
*****
33. Gabrielle Tilokani
Gabrielle Erika Tilokani in a delightful Santacruzan-style gown accentuated with a sun crown. This skilled sign language specialist looked like a statue of saintly woman come alive and was positively radiant with her sweet smile! The gown, meantime, made me think of the purity and devotion of the Filipina.
*****
34. Leonalyn dela Cruz
This gown is actually photogenic, if gowns can be so. I did not like it much when I saw it live on stage in Araneta Coliseum but now, looking at it here, it’s actually got it’s own elegant charm. My problem with it was I thought the ruffles were too big. But just how big should ruffles be? There seems to be no law on this, aahaha! Anyway, Leonalyn de la Cruz, CPA, was looking a diva with her up-do, pale lips and dark, heavy-lidded eyes…
*****
35. Yvethe Marie Santiago
While I preferred her fiery performance during the Jag portion of the Fashion Show, Yvethe Marie Santiago still turned heads as she took the stage in her National Costume – a deep red Terno marked by soft tufts and a pleated bodice. I don’t know what was lacking; maybe I prefer her fierce… maybe I like her better when her hair is down and her styling is younger… not quite sure but I was looking for more and did not find it. Nevertheless, I am keeping my eye on this Daraga, Albay beauty whose name is being whispered among the press as a possible crown winner.
*****
