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• Index • Thoughts Exchange • Pawee's Beauties Kiss & Tell • Timeless Binibinis • Contact Us |
| Thoughts Exchange (Part II) by: Paeng of Norfolk  Mabuhay! Welcome to my country. I'm Charlene Bonnin Gonzales from the Philippines!!! Charlene won the Best in National Costume award in the 1994 Miss Universe Mania in Manila. LEGEND: BNC- Best in National Costume I'm not suggesting at all that we should ignore the national costume competition in the Miss Universe Pageant. Records show that a best national costume win enhances the delegates' chances of making the semifinal cut and/or eventually winning the crown. An attractive costume indicates preparedness, support by the country of the delegate, and determination to win. Although the national costume competion carries no weight towards selecting the Miss Universe, it is statistically undeniable that an attractive national costume gets the attention of the judges. Here's a complete list of best national costume winners who eventually won the crown or placed as runners-up, finalists, or semifinalists since the best national costume competition of the MU started in 1962.
1962 - Kim Barton (England) - BNC; MU S/F Needless to say, we shouldn't really ignore the national costume competition. Miss Universe records clearly indicate that a win in the national costume competition enhances the delegates' chances of making the semifinal cut - not by acquiring more points (not to my knowledge), but at least by getting noticed by the spectators and/or by the judges.
Well, the national costume competition is one avenue for the candidates to get noticed especially on how they carry themselves onstage despite the "heaviness" of their costumes... The stage presence of the girl can be measured and it also makes people to start choosing their bets based on who stood-out or have the highest chances of making it in the semifinals. In short, it's also added publicity for the girls. If the national costume is exceptional and the one in it carries it beautifully, then the candidate gets publicity but I agree with the opinion of others that it still doesn't have bearing at all. - meki-liling
by: Gemma Cruz Araneta IF anything, the Philippine "national costume" presented at the 2004 Miss Universe contest was an assault on the patriotic sensitivities of Filipinos, specially those residing abroad. From Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Tony Lapid sent an indignant message about the "scandalous national costume" and challenged journalists like me to protect the rights and dignity of Filipinas. He insisted that we, "should do something about the shortcomings’’ of the beauty contest organizers. Judging from the flood of electronic mail, Mr. Lapid’s words were echoed by others in the Filipino diaspora. He was aghast: "When I came across the photos of the National Costume event, I was shocked (I guess the word "shock" is an understatement) and outraged to see the costume of Ms. Balagtas so vulgar, shameful, and disgraceful. It is an affront to the Filipino women. The costume she wore has nothing to relate to our national culture and tradition, be it with the majority of Filipinos or our minority brothers and sisters. Whoever designed this "costume" (calling it a national costume) ought to be shot at the Rizal Park!!! And whoever allowed this tasteless dress to be worn by our representative as a "national costume" should be censured if not removed from his/her position with the Bb. Pilipinas organization. This kind of dress is more appropriate in a girlie show in one of the nightclubs or videoke bars! Unless, of course, there was a mistake in the site regarding Ms. Balagtas dress grouped under "National Costume." Designed to arouse raves and rapture, that "national costume" provoked disgust and outrage.
Assuring us that he is no prude, Mr. Lapid said: "I do appreciate very much when candidates are wearing their bathing suit and revealing clothes to accentuate their beauty and their gorgeous bodies. However, that is beside the point, regarding the above issue."
Like many of his compatriots, Mr. Lapid is, evidently, a beauty pageant aficionado who looks forward to the contests where our country is represented. He probably watches these extravagant, addictive events, in the company of family and friends, to get that yearly psychic fix of seeing Miss Philippines excelling in global competitions. In no other country in the world are beauty contest winners given such tremendous acclaim. But even if our representatives do not win the crown, it just as important for us to see a Miss Philippines radiate the finest, brightest, and most elegant characteristics of our race and culture. Most Filipinos still take beauty contests very seriously. That is why Mr. Lapid sadly observed: "The different dresses she (Ms. Balagtas) wore during the whole affair were not impressive… I always thought that we have the best designers in our midst, yet how come there was nothing that she wore that would inspire a second look at her, as compared with the other candidates? When one talks about 80 candidates, one has to outshine and standout from among so many, ika nga: "lahat ay mapapalingon." This is the only way a candidate can be noticed, as if they, the experts do not know this basic formula. Mr. Lapid’s observations should not be dismissed as merely frivolous and inconsequential. During those contests, candidates do have to stand out as they are being judged on a daily basis and not just on the final night. Another reader, Mr. L. Uson was kind enough to email me a photo of Binibining Pilipinas in that controversial national nondress. It was more shocking than what I had imagined. Too bad the Colombian designer cannot be shot at the Luneta, as Mr. Lapid suggested. But, at the very least, the Department of Tourism should rap the knuckles of the organizers, or whoever was responsible. The Colombian designer probably received a travel guide of the Philippines with photos of ethnic, regional outfits but no one bothered to rein in his wild imagination. What he concocted was his peculiar fantasy of what female natives must wear to gala, tribal occasions in these exotic islands, somewhere in the Pacific. I think Chairperson Evelyn Pantig of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts should ask Stella Marquez de Araneta, (franchise holder of most of these contests) if she approved the final design. Binibining Pilipinas’ "national costume" was transparent and as Mr. Lapid commented, it did not look like any of our national or ethnic outfits. Ms. M. Balagtas could have been completely naked in the Miss Universe contest, if not for the faux tattooing done in sequins and beads on the torso and around the breasts. The over skirt was a banig-like thing, unacceptable in both Basilan and Basey, but fully beaded in patches of color, exposing a leg with the same faux tattooing. In each hand she brandished peacock feather fans. Not bad for Las Vegas or the Folies Bergeres! We are supposed to put our best foot forward in these international contests, not validate the negative image Filipino women have, unfortunately. Can’t Pitoy Moreno lend the Miss Philippines a proper national dress? (gcruz@imanila.com.ph) |
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