REVIEW OF THE BB. PILIPINAS 2012 CANDIDATES IN THEIR NATIONAL COSTUME PRESENTATION

By Lavinia Otilla

This time we will evaluate the girls in the Philippine National Costume. When we refer to the Philippine National Costume, we refer to it as the Terno. And when we refer to anything that is Philippine inspired –it is called Filipiniana. Filipiniana does not only refer to clothes or costumes, they also refer to writing, artifacts from the country , souvenirs and many more. Generally, the candidates adhered to the concept of the Philippine Terno. Only 1 paraded in a Filipiniana outfit. But let us evaluate each candidate so that we will be able to see how they fared in the National Costume Presentation.

1. Karen Gallman - she paraded in a terno in hues of purple. The bodice was in wisteria color while the cut was serpentine and cerise layered ruffled smooth tulle. The sleeves and the bodice were adorned by flowerretes, appliques and beads to add luster to the gown. Personally, I think the gown did not suit Karen. Karen may be so beautiful facially but the gown did not do her justice.

#2 Romelin Roxane de Castro

2. Romelyn De Castro – Romelyn’s terno is as white and black combination. The white gown was adorned with black trimmings and appliques and was cut also in serpentine fashion. The appliqués were exquisitely designed .The lower portion of the gown was intricately done with black embroidery. And black cloth was inserted into the lower portion to add more effect. The terno is paired with a resplendent parasol.

3. Nicole Marable – she is using a very classic white terno with limited accessorizing on the dress. I don’t think the skirt is bouffant but to show more bulk to it, the designer put layers of cloth for added effect. The probable aim here is to showcase Nicole’s beauty here and not to gain attraction into the gown. It did not get the right effect because even though Nicole is so pretty, she did not own the dress. With her simplicity, and the gown’s simplicity, they were both lost in a sea of other beautifully rendered national costumes.

4. Jaine Hidalgo sported a Traje de Mestiza. It showed a straight cut on the chest and plain butterfly sleeves. The serpentine cut gown however showed a relatively medium sized length tail adorned with white roses. She does well in her presentation but I just don’t get it, she was styled and groomed a-la-Diana Arevalo.

5. RoseAnn Uy Aguilar- with the way RoseAnn projected in the swimsuit segment during the Press Presentation, I was hoping she will ace the national costume competition too. It was very unfortunate that she used a very conservative ternoIt was of violet colot that was layered by brocade lace. The design in the middle part of the gown seems to give you an impression that the wearer has a big belly. And when you get the impression of “pregnant” of someone doing a fashion parade, that is already a “no, no.” Unless of course, the fashion show is done by preggies.

6. Maria Alicia Elena Ariosa, -this candidate’s designer probably thought he is in a Project Runway show. The gown is so fashion forward. From the sleeves to the bodice to the tail even the trimmings at the waist area, it screams “fashion runway.” I will not discuss the merits of the gown. But did it prop up the stature of the Maria Alicia Elena in her competition with the other girls? I greatly doubt though.

#7 Patricia Lae Ejercitado

7. Patricia Lae Ejercitado – she used a T’boli inspired terno. T’boli in the sense that the designer used tinalak as the cloth for the national costume. Added to this ensemble is the use of a flute to signify the ethnic origin of the cloth. This approach to the terno is laudable because there is an attempt to weave the ethnic elements of our culture in the National costume. The tinalak is revered by the T’bolis and the cloth that is used is of high quality usually used by upper class of the T’boli tribe. The gown is intricately designed and made. Even with the malfunction of the petticoat during the presentation, the candidate was resplendent and unique.

8. Nicole Schmitz-used a creative costume to depict a Filipiniana costume. She used a headdress made of fans made from nipa which was ornately decorated. Her upper garment is bra-type which were ornately decorated and the skirt is very similar to those used by paraders in the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon. It has the trappings of the national costume used by Charlene Gonzales during the 1994 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held in the Philippines which won for her the Best in National Costume. Although Nicole was greatly applauded because of her showmanship, a lot of pundits are asking, is this true to form? By definition, it is a Filipiniana but it is not a Terno. Hence, it does not in any way represent the National costume. Some may argue with me that it is not even Filipiniana because the cloth is very much like that of Thailand. Well by definition, it is Philippine in orientation, then it is Filipiniana.

#9 Mary Jean Lastimosa

9. MJ Lastimosa – After a well-applauded and a fiery swimsuit round at the Press Presentation, MJ toned her demeanor during the National Costume round. If I am not mistaken the designer for Jaine and MJ are there same. I noticed the same cut but with variation in the lower portion. It is still serpentine but a modified one. It is an oft-color terno and it is either you love or hate it. I hate it. This is not a terno suited for one who is touted to snatch the Miss Universe Philippines title.

#10 Jillean Camille Orbina

10. Jill Orbina – is there is production line for the winning cultural costume during the Miss Philippines Earth 2011 won by Miss Tanauan City? If Jill wore a white ensemble, I would have said, she used the same gown. But since she used a red ensemble, then this must be a copycat. I really do not know what to say here because Filipino designers abound in terms of creativity. I will not say a poor copy though because it is beautiful and resplendent and Jill did well in this round. However……

#11 Marie Virginia Cecile Peter

11. Marie Peter - this girl is upping her ante. Great! She is using a bouffant terno with drapings of geometric pattern. It is a combination of black, brown and white. It is a great design and I love the way elegance that Marie is showing now.

12. Ayalee Dasalla – used a Maria Clara mestiza dress, the forerunner of the terno. The skirt is adorned with flowers and the headdress is the traditional Philippine tiara. The gown is beautiful but it lacks coherence. Ayalee is very beautiful but she does not seem to radiate. There is something lacking and I cannot even say that she has muted elegance.

13. Katrina Jayne Dimaranan – is using a violet terno with a V-cut neck line to show some cleavage. The bodice showed crumpling and the skirt area showed layers of ruffles.The cut was also serpentine and that Katrina became shapely in this outing. I really don’t like the violet color for competitions like this because I was once told that they are for older people. Katrina may have aged a bit in this gown but in fairness she is resplendently good.

#14 Gina Joy Howell

14. Gina Joy Howell – is very beautiful but I am beginning to doubt that she is just performing at an average pace. The gown that she used did not highlight her radiance and vibrancy. I have no quarrel with the gown. It is very beautiful and very intricately designed and made. The floral rose designs at the skirt are so done with great craftsmanship but yet I am not standing up and clapping my hands with so much excitement. Would Gina try a dress other than white and see for herself the great difference?

#15 Elaine Kay Moll

15. Elaine Kay Moll – Elaine changed her styling this time. With curly locks and proper demeanor, she moved with calculated elegance that was accentuated by the cream-colored terno with ruffles at the hemline. The cut was undoubtedly A-line and because Elaine is a tall girl, she managed to carry the gown with aplomb. This girl found the right projection this time as compared to her previous outings in which they were below par.

16. Leizl Alcantara –this girl out from anyone’s radar came blinking and suddenly pageant fans are already agog about another Precious Lara Quigaman who is much taller during the Press Presentation. During the national costume presentation Liezl used a terno which is multi-colored (yellow, violet and magenta.) The skirt was like a tapestry with strips of cloth hanging from mid-thigh. I do not see the back but I think the bodice is a corset. And it was adorned with different colors of buttons. The gown was fashion forward but I have misgivings about the creation. However, I must say, Liezl continued the shining through attitude.

17. Ana Czarina Buenviaje –she dons a golden terno and very classic at that. The skirt is ornately designed with the small ruffles and further highlighted by big flowers of white and yellow gold centers. A golden parasol went with the terno. She was also classically styled. Very Filipina indeed.

18. Janine Tugonon – this is the most maligned terno in the national costume presentation. It is that of black terno with braiding in the sleeves accentuated with some brown beads. The back is made up of some ornate designs reminiscent of the Project Runway designs. It was further accentuated by a neck brace which I felt was already too claustrophobic for the one wearing it. The gown’s highlights are on the sleeves and the back. There is no life in the gown. Janine seems ill-advised as to what really gives her the edge for this competition. I really don’t know but she is a very representation of hits and misses. She was tanned, her hair placed in a bun and her eyes darkened to achieve much rounder eyes but she looked miserably trying hard. She even looked old. I felt the angst of frustration with her because last year I saw the reason why she was first runner-up. She was fresh, young looking, vibrant and energetic. All of these seem to have eluded her till this point.

19. Roxanne Joy Jesalva – Is this you Android lady? Oh my, what a decline with this girl’s presentation. If at the Press Presentation, this girl simply glowed. But this time, the placed her hair in a high bun with a rooster wave in the hair. She was also adorned with bling-blings. The gown is the simplest among the similarly designed gowns of the camp where she belongs. Most pundits would say, it is not the gown but the girl. But this time, it is both. The gown does not flatter and Roxanne Joy emanates fatigue in her presentation. Two notches lower for this girl.

#20 Roxanne Tadique

20. Roxanne Tadique’s terno was probably inspired by Barraza because it has a big ribbon infront. It It has bouffant gown with layering pleats. The accent is on the glittery sleeves and half of the bossom as well as in the ribbon. However, it was done tastefully and splendidly presented. This girl really knows what suits her and she gives a sterling performance. I am really liking this girl.

21. Giselle Munoz presented a glittery black gown accentuated by a red flower in hair and a hand fan with feathers. The gown is not gratifying.

22. Meiji Cruz donned a glittery mermaid gown. For me it is a simple gown but did not have a good fitting for her. The gown does not flatter her.

23. I term Goldy Baroa’s terno as the “Smokey Mountain” terno as it showed tattered pieces clothes that formed the bouffant skirt. Then the pieces were beaded to show luster. The sleeves showed also the same concept. I found the bodice empty. I can’t pinpoint what is lacking but does not seem to be complete for me.

24. Fer Baliquig wore a white serpentina gown with simple colorful prints which probably signifies the blazing colors of the islands. It was accentuated by feathers in her head. Fer showed a lithe body and she surely was good in the ramp but she lacked the overall impact pageant enthusiasts do like.

25. Chloe Zanardi used a mocha colored terno which did not flatter her body. The mermaid cut gown seems to have fitting problem with her. I am quite disturbed with the squint in the eye of Chloe. She has not upped her ante at this point in time.

#26 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes

26. Angelee Delos Reyes used a Verdun green empire cut terno with adornment in the sleeves and in the bust area. The gown is a decent one and it flows very well when walking.

27. Golda Soller presented a nother version of the terno using a mocha colored bamboo-like prints on the cloth. The lower part of the skirt area are leaf-like in appearance. Golda seemed to try hard here in her presentation.

28. Marie Irisha Arcenas slipped on a white terno with Grecian drapings at the waist till the hip line. It was adorned by white flowers in the bodice. I don’t like the gown and I also don’t like the way Mia emoted onstage.

#29 Annalie Forbes

29. This girl Analie Forbes paraded in a fashion forward Maria Clara terno. The upper part is made up of an olive green bell sleeves adorned with trimmings from the design of the skirt. The skirt is pumpkin inspired with the black belt reminiscent of the obi which is the traditional sash of Japanese costumes. What is my take on the costume? Well, it is effective. It is a modern take on the Mestiza dress which is a forerunner of the butterfly-sleeved terno. And besides, Analie is simply divine in this segment. This girl is now showing her wares. Watch out for her.

30. Sherlyn Gonzales paraded in a peach pink terno with one of the butterfly sleeves designed as a big flower. It is also of serpentine cut accessorized with a bag of the same make with the cloth. After seeing a lot of gown with rose flower accents, I think I got tired already when I reached evaluating Sherlyn’s gown. I also noticed Sherlyn to be showing signs of weariness 

After carefully evaluating the girls in their National Costumes and if we are to be strict with the criteria that the competition is about the National Costume, the ones paraded should be that of the Terno or any variations of the terno – from the baro at saya, to the Mestiza dress, till the latest definition of the Terno. It is immaterial if the terno is made of ethnic materials as long as it conformed with the terno concept. Hence here are my Top 10 choices. Candidates 2, 7,9,10,11,14,15,20,26 and 29.

BEST IN COSTUME : Candidate Number 20

Honorable Mentions: Candidate Number 2

Candidate Number 7

Candidate Number 29

Candidate Number 11

Photo Credits: Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. Thanks! :)