The National Costume competition of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 has finally unfolded with grandeur on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Held at the Sultan Kudarat Gymnasium and Cultural Center, the 53 candidates showcased their interpretation of this year's theme: Philippine Flora and Fauna.
Emerging victorious, Janet Hammond from Southern California, Alexie Mae Brooks from Iloilo City, and Tamara Ocier from Tacloban claimed the coveted Top 3 positions.
Each of these amazing candidates walked away with a PHP100,000 cash prize.
WATCH: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates, nasubukan ang husay sa Q & A
HERE ARE THE WINNING NATIONAL COSTUMES OF MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2024:
MUPH 2024 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: JANET HAMMOND
Janet Hammond, representing the Filipino community in Southern California, made a stunning entrance in a masterpiece by fashion designer Ehrran Montoya, inspired by the breathtaking Tubbataha Reef.
Ehrran took to Instagram to share more details about his creation.
Along with a photo of Janet wearing her national costume during a pre-competition photoshoot, he wrote, published as is: "Dive into the depths of wonders with @jethammond's vibrant National Costume; a breathtaking homage to the Philippines' #TubbatahaReef.
"Adorned with textures, intricate fabric manipulations, embellished with crystals and beadworks depicting marine species.
"This masterpiece showcases the mesmerizing beauty and biodiversity of underwater Philippine 'Flora and Fauna.
"As the representative of the Filipino community in #SouthernCalifornia, Jet Hammond embodies the splendor of our aquatic world at the #MissUniversePhilippines2024."
MUPH 2024 ILOILO: ALEXIE BROOKS
All attention turned to Alexie Brooks as she stepped onto the stage, wearing a creation by Tata Blas-Pinuela. Tata crafted a costume inspired by the "Ugto-ugto," the Ilonggo term for orb-weaver spider.
Read: Miss Iloilo 2024 Alexie Brooks opens up about her sexuality
During the National Costume competition, it was noted that the costume's design mirrors Filipino ingenuity and creativity, akin to the orb-weaver spider's intricate web-weaving skills.
Alexie's team shared further insights about the national costume in a Facebook post, presented exactly as follows: "Our people’s queen sported a bodysuit with sparkling multicolored details arranged in a design that resembles an eight-legged critter called 'UGTO-UGTO,' an Ilonggo term for an orb-weaver spider.
"The posterior part is simply elegant and highlights the wearer’s voluptuousness.
"The bedazzled appendages affixed to the back represent balance and personal growth and a delicate-colored cephalothorax headpiece adorned with voluminous eyes finish the look.
"Attach to the ensemble are stylized webs intricately decked with pearl-like embellishments.
"Vital to the spider’s symbolism is ingenuity. It’s gentle yet complex web reminds us how to be creative and persistent artisans, urging us to weave our dreams with meaning and precision.
"May this masterpiece by Tata Blas Pinuela reminds us that despite of their diminutive sizes, spiders and other arachnids are great eco-warriors and are equally important in our fauna system.
"In a comparable manner, inclusion and justness are not just social standards but are principles that apply naturally to the wildlife welfare movement.
"They muse about the understanding that equality should be extended to everyone, where every being is valued and every voice is heard."
MUPH 2024 TACLOBAN: TAMARA OCIER
Tamara Ocier's national costume, crafted by Charlotte Rodriguez, draws inspiration from the sun goddess and the Tacloban Monitor Lizard, affectionately called "Halo" by locals.
The lizard, a symbol of courage and transformation, mirrors Tacloban's resilience in overcoming disasters and climate change, highlighting adaptability for both wildlife and communities.
Charlotte elaborated on the inspiration behind Tamara's national costume design in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Alongside a photo of Tamara wearing the costume during a pre-competition photoshoot, Charlotte wrote, published as is: "Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban, Tamara Ocier, embodies the goddess of the sun.
"Iridescent and golden, ever changing and evolving.
"Her statuesque figure is embraced by The Tacloban Monitor Lizard, known to the locals as 'Halo.'
"An ancient symbol of fearlessness and transformation located in the isolated regions of Tacloban and Region 8.
"The goddess ushers humanity back into their true place as sanctuary makers.
"In the face of difficulties like destruction and climate change, the monitor lizard 'Halo' serves as a reminder of the significance of resilience and adaptation for both wildlife and human communities.
"Like the Taclobanons, the monitor lizard's ability to thrive in a variety of habitats despite environmental changes symbolizes resilience and adaptability."
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