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Well, it looks like some controversies are brewing at the Miss Universe National Costume contest even before the real contest begins. Two of the controversial national costumes came from the Latin American region with one, that of Miss Costa Rica Karina Ramos, may actually be illegal! Ley No. 08 (Ley que regula uso símbolos nacionales) or Law No. 08 (The law regulating the use of national symbols) of Costa Rica clearly prohibits the use of the national coat-of-arms other than for official purposes. The national costume of Karina, designed by Daniel Moreira, blatantly used the Costa Rican coat-of-arms clearly emblazoned on the center chest area. The Costa Rican national organization conceded that they have indeed crossed the line. A backup national costume was immediately shipped to Doral to replace the “illegal” costume.
The more recent controversy meanwhile involves a much more sensitive topic – religion. Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Castillo chose a wardrobe that represents the Virgen de Altagracia. Magali Febles, the national director of Dominican Republic and Haiti, was baffled by all the uproar caused by the national costume. She said that a lot of national costumes before shows things that are of evil like horns and skulls and that the costume of a Virgin Mary is actually a positive thing. However, some critics said that religious symbols with great significance – the Virgin is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic – should be respected and not be lowered down to the level of such things such as pageantry.
Wow Domincan republic, controversial? only because wearing a catholic’s religion? Yes western country want atheist’s society.
As a dominican I am really proud of Kim for standing up for herself and her beliefs. She is devout of the Virgin of Altagracia as I am, but she was born in Higuey, where the legend begins, where the legend says the Virgin appeared to a little girl on an orange tree and so the name Altagracia which means “high grace”. A church was built in honor of the virgin, the Basilica de Higuey, every year on January 21 thousands of believers flock to Higuey to honor the “Virgen”, they come from all parts of the country and from abroad, from Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Haiti… and they sell souvenirs with the image of the Virgen, keychains, tshirts, wall plaques, so why can’t she honor the Virgen during the preliminaries on January 21, precisely the same day that we dominicans celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Altagracia? The Virgin is about religion, yes, but it’s also about culture and tradition, and most of all, dominican folklore, and why not, urban legends. She will represent all of us with dignity and will honor our Patron Lady with grace and respect. Go Kim! y que la Virgen de Altagracia te cubra con su manto en todo momento.
DO NOT TRY TO MIX THE OIL WITH THE WATER. A VIRGIN OR A RELIGION DOES NOT REPRESENT A COUNTRY. NATIONAL COSTUMES SHOULD BE BASE ON ANY UNIQUE CULTURAL OR NATURAL CHARACTERISTIC THAT REPRESENT THE ENTIRE POPULATION OR COUNTRY..LIKE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, EXOTIC OR UNIQUE ANIMALS, RIVERS, NATIVES, MUSIC, FESTIVALS, FASHIONS, SPORTS, ETC. THE VIRGIN ALTAGRACIA REPRESENTS A LEGEND BUT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT REALLY REPRESENTS DR AS A COUNTRY THAT IS A LEGEND. BESIDES THAT, RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDE IN THIS KIND OF EVENTS.
SR. ROSARIO, LA RELIGIÓN ES PARTE FUNDAMENTAL DE LA CULTURA DE UN PAÍS, AL IGUAL QUE LA LENGUA O LA GEOGRAFÍA, EL VESTIDO ESTA HERMOSO PERO CREO QUE NO ERA EL LUGAR CORRECTO PARA LUCIRLO!!
Yes. She looks TERRIFIC!! and respectful. Her costume really represents dominicans in a very creative way.
She looks terrific!!! And the costume perfectly represents dominicans.
SR. RAUL ROSARIO COMO BIEN USTED DIJO SE TRATA DE CULTURA Y EN LA CULTURA TAMBIEN ESTA LA RELIGION YA QUE ES UNA DE LAS COSAS QUE CARACTYERIZAN UN PUEBLO EL TRAJE ESTA HERMOSO PERO CREO QUE NO ERA EL SITIO CORRECTO PARA MOSTRARLO