Training sessions

 The Philippine connection

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

In the past, when the Miss Universe franchise was still with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), Filipino representatives to the Miss Universe pageant were first sent to train with Osmel Sousa in Venezuela. And when they competed in their respective years, they most likely wore gowns by Alfredo Barraza.

When Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonso Wurtzbach won her title, she persuaded Madame Stella Araneta that she'd wear a Filipino designer's creation in the evening gown competition. And Albert Andrada's design is now part of pageant history. From then on, Filipino queens wore Pinoy designs when competing abroad; and they trained within the Philippines as well.

Slowly, pageant aspirants from other countries soon trained in the Philippines prior to their international competitions. 

This year, a few Miss Universe aspirants trained with Filipino camps and/or trainers or had their costumes created by Pinoy designers.

The first to visit the country was Cambodia's delegate, Manita Hang. She first trained here before flying to India to get more training sessions.

Despite the late revelation, Indonesia's Laksmi De-Neefe Suardana had pasarela training sessions and a number of photo shoots in Manila late last year.

Spain's Alicia Faubel, who worked as a model in the Philippines a few years back, revisited Manila to have training sessions here, as well as appear in a number of media interviews.

Vietnam's national winner, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau, likewise did some pasarela training sessions here in Manila.

Miss USA R'bonney Gabriel, who won the Best National Costume in her national pageant, had her costume and evening gown for the New Orleans pageant done in the Philippines again! Her parents had to fly to Manila during the holidays to pick up her costume so she can bring it to Louisiana in time.

Last year, Nigeria's Maristella Okpala won the Best National Costume award. Her Mmanwa ensemble was created for her by Filipino designer Kennedy John Gaspar.

Sometimes, the contributions of Filipino designer's are not known until the competition is over. And we are pretty sure that pageant fans will be apprized of more news about this. We thank all of these international entities who trusted Filipino designers to create costume and wardrobe pieces for their delegates.

The Miss Universe 2022 National Costume presentation will be beamed live on January 11 (January 12 in Manila) through the Miss Universe Organization's official YouTube and Facebook channels. Stay tuned!