NatCos parade

 Fab turnout at BBP's national costume competition

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The 2022 Binibining Pilipinas candidates presented their respective national costume creations before a jam-packed crowd at the New Frontier Theater over weekend. The visually-stunning creations essayed inspirations from Philippine folklore, myth, religious figures, fiestas & festivals, as well as daily life.

The costumes varied in sizes and used materials that were natural, recycled, and/or manufactured. Of the forty creations, we picked out nine that stood out from the rest of the pack. These were:

- #7 Graciella Sheine Lehmann's 'tikbalang' stole the hearts of spectators, both for its enormity and creativity. Actor Paolo Ballesteros outdid himself by coming up with a design that captured the imagination in this half-horse, half-human creature from Philippine folklore.

- #26 Cyrille Payumo's costume, which was inspired and created by the Aeta Magantsi tribesmen of Porac, was the best presented and performed ensemble during the show. Perceived by many as a 'manananggal' outfit due to its removable skirt detail, the perception has created a textured nuance to an otherwise simple creation by Rich Sabinian.

- #8 Herlene Nicole Budol's 'higantes' ensemble was culled from a real festival in her hometown, Angono, the 'Art Capital of the Philippines.' One of the sizable creations presented, it took her time to move the figure around the stage, yet managed to present it with utmost ease to the cheers of fans and supporters.

- #35 Diana Mackey is the muse of the rice harvest in a design by Malayka Yamas. As part of Luzon's food basket, Nueva Ecija has remained one of the country's enduring rice granaries.

- #23 Nicole Borromeo breathes life to this picaresque design by Axel Que. The festive fever of the "perya" is reflected in the colors and details of the entire costume.

- #17 Chelsea Lovely Fernandez wears the 'Bridge of Love' and its  twinkling lights around Nick Guarino's ingenious creation. The unmistakable meander of the San Juanico Bridge was beautifully woven around the other design elements of the costume.

- #30 Jashmin-Lyn Dimaculangan moves agilely with the colors of the spectrum - paying homage to the colors of the Pride crusade. ER Stephen Alvarado's  "Ibong Adarna" creation has a wide wing span that alludes to unobstructed flights of freedom.

#36 Jannine Navarro's "Salida" ensemble approximates the carroza, bearing the Blessed Virgin, as it leaves the church for a procession. Jayvy Manayon inspired his creation from the Holy Mother's first appearance to St James the Greater, which is the patron saint of Jannine's hometown, Tanjay City.

#15 - Nyca Mae Bernardo is the belle of the blooms in this flower-decked creation. Marvin Garcia brought to life one of Bulacan's festivals, the "Halamanan" that brings to the fore Guiguinto's flair for ornamentation.

Fans and supporters can help determine who among the forty creations gets to be named as Best in National Costume come finals night. All they need to do is vote for their fave costume on the Binibining Pilipinas social media page.

The 58th Binibining Pilipinas grand  coronation night will unfold on July 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Stay tuned!