After a long halt, the Binibining Pilipinas organization has returned for the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 beauty pageant by showcasing the Best in National Costumes which are inspired by the Filipina heroes. The organization gave a glimpse of the National Costumes of the queens in the end of October.
The candidates who showcased their National Costumes on their social media are seen donning the costumes designed and crafted by the local-crafted designers, highlighting the talents of Filipino designers and the culture and heritage of the ladies’ hometown. Check out some of Binibining Pilipinas 2020 candidates in their National Costumes, as photographed by Raymond Saldana.
Lois Anne Badando
Binibini 3, Lois is representing Marikina and is showcased wearing an outfit designed by Ryan June Mariano Castillo which is named as, ‘colibangbang’ and is a homage to the Gaddang women he saw in a 1900 photo. It features crafts of the Cordillera region showcasing the vibrant and wealthy tradition of the Gaddang tribe, from the headpiece down to the traditional handwoven textile. The headpiece was fused and inspired by one of the Cordilleran tribes, the Isnag and the fabric meticulously weaved in the Mountain Province and has a design of "Colibangbang" a term coined in Northern Luzon which means Butterfly.
Patricia Denise Babista
Binibini 8, Pat is representing Quezon province and her national costume is ‘Pahiyas’ which is a design fusion of the vibrant Pahiyas and Niyugyugan Festivals. It features a bodice traditionally worn for the Jota Gumaquena folk dance, which is adorned with handcrafted coconut shells. A colorful finish is the skirt bursting with the leaf-shaped wafer kiping in the form of the Arangya lantern. The designer for this national costume is Dee Jay Abustan.
Karen Laurrie Mendoza
Binibini 18, Karen is representing the city of Iloilo and is seen wear a bulalakaw-inspired national costume by designer Tata Pinuela. The diva explained that the Bulalakaw is said to be a goddess who has the appearance of a gigantic, shining bird or a genderless deity with a bird’s head. Stories describe her to be a diwata who visits the earthly plane in the form of a comet, hence the name “bulalakaw”. She looks stunning with that headdress and the colors used in the costume just makes her looks stronger and determined.
Kimberly Anne Tiquestiques
Binibini 19, Kimberly is representing the city of Bulacan and is seen wear a costume named, “Queen of Philippine Festivals”, mmbellished with thousand flowers and crystal stones that epitomize the gigantic jewelry industry of Meycauayan and highlighted by the magnanimous “kinayas na kawayan of the Singkaban Fiesta”. The bamboo artwork that completes the entire look of Kimberly’s costume is a traditional form of that is now being used as a welcoming arch in festivities all over the Philippine archipelago. The costume is designed by Marvin Garcia.
Hannah Consencino Arnold
Binibini 21, Hannah is representing Masbate at the competition and looked stunning in her ball gown-style, hand-embroidered and embellished with hand-painted art in the lower part depicting the flamboyant New Year’s Day costume designed by Louis Pangilian which epitomizes the exact spirit of the Bulaklakan Festival which is held during the first of January. The costume truly looks like an exquisite work of art and the 3D flower on Hannah’s waist was made using recycled materials by Hannah herself.
Gabrielle Camille Basiano
Binibini 23, Gabrielle is representing Eastern Samar at the competition and is seen donning a costume designed by Ken Batino and Jevin Salaysay and is named as ‘Golden Kalesa’ costume. The look is composed of Swarovski crystal-encrusted mesh bodysuit and a stylized kalesa with handwoven banig and two golden suns for wheels. It has served as a deluxe mode of transportation that only the rich and high-ranking officials can afford. She is donning a golden kalesa that represents the shades of her hometown.
Honey Grace Cartasano
Binibini 29, Honey is representing the city of Rizal and Paolo Ballesteros has designed her costume; ‘Higantes Queen’. It is an interpretation of the traditional Maria Clara costume inspired by the giants of Angono’s Higantes festival. The material used for the costume is the traditional piña highlighting its remarkable characteristic, the fibrositis. As she turns around, Maria Clara is transformed into a bright, colorful, and towering Higantes we see during the annual parade. A unique piece, emblematic of Rizal's rich culture.
(Photo Source: Binibining Pilipinas Official/ Raymond Saldana Photography)
Binibinis in their best in National Costumes are still being revealed and one of them will be awarded for their effort and deep-rooted knowledge about the Philippines.
Over thirty stunning beauties from all over the country have been selected to compete at the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 edition for the national titles and an opportunity to represent the Phillippines at international stage. The competition was initially postponed to 31st May 2020 but it seems like the situation is still not ideal to host a competition. The BPCI announced that the 57th edition of Binibining Pilipinas will only be held after the situation in the country minimalizes; either in December 2020 or onset of summer 2021.