Twenty-nine Miss Universe candidates wore Mindanao-inspired fabrics during Thursday night’s “Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show” held SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang, Davao city. (Maria Patricia C. Borromeo/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Twenty-nine Miss Universe candidates wore Mindanao-inspired fabrics during Thursday night’s “Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show” held SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang, this city.
The fabrics were produced by Davao’s local fashion designers and worn by candidates from Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Philippines, Singapore, Russia, Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela, according to Red Tie Concepts and Events, Inc.
Cata Figueroa, head director of the fashion show said the Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show will also be featured in other countries during road shows.
“Those fabrics worn by our Miss Universe candidates will be featured abroad. We will take videos during the event and present it worldwide,” he said.
Figueroa said they will present the videos in China, Germany, Singapore, Canada, USA and some areas of United Kingdom.
The event was divided into two segment, the pre-show and main show. During the pre-show, the event featured actual weaving by tribal women and an exhibit of contemporary dresses which were worn by local models.
Fashion designers during the pre-show were Ronnie Nacua, Toffy Ledesma, Gil Macaibay, Mark Yaranon, Bamba Limon, Nicky de Asis, Richie Uy Delos Santos, Steffy Dacalus, Joey Hambala, Grand Crizzel Ravacio, Pepe Quitco, Che Aranjuez, Mark Sayad, Ivan Raborar, Wilfred Yee, Akmad Kari Jr., and Saidali Abdilla Jr.
The pre-show also exhibited photos of George Tapan, showing beautiful destinations in Mindanao and an entertainment number performed by Filipino singers. For the main show, the 29 Miss Universe candidates wore six looks representing the six regions of Mindanao.
The first looks were the T’boli weaves, then Indigenous cross stitches, Yakan weaves, Tribal weaves of Bukidnon, royal garb of Mandaya tribe and five Inuol ball gowns.
Rene Salud, head designer of the event, said that he traveled several areas in Mindanao to familiarize the designs. He collected fabrics that mainly showcase the weaves of the island.
“I made a research on the different fabrics and talked to a lot of weavers and internalized them as traditional Mindanao person and the feel of the Mindanao culture,” he said.
To be global, Salud said that aside from the fabrics from Mindanao, they also incorporate other fabrics like silk.
Along with Rene Salud, other designers were Silverio Anglacer, Emi Englis, Kenny Ladaga, Alfonso Guino-o, Aztec Barba, Benjie Panizales, Dojie Batu, Edgar Buyan, Wilson Limon, and Egay Ayag.
During the main show, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was absent during the event gave a welcome message to the candidates and to the public through Councilor Abegail Dalodo-Ortiz.
Mayor Sara said: “We are delighted to have you here in our shores and we hope that you will enjoy your stay.” The mayor also thanked the organizers who brought all the 29 candidates here in the city.
“We do thank the Department of Tourism and the local sponsors and supporters involved in bringing these confidently beautiful ladies here for the show which features the unique fabric of Mindanao, we all know that the city is a melting pot of various cultures and peoples and this diversty is best exemplified in the rich cultural of tapestrated bites not only to Dabawenyos but all Mindanaoans as one,” she said.
All Miss Universe candidates were welcomed at the airport at Thursday noon and was brought at Eden Nature Park at Toril before heading to the fashion show. (davaotoday.com)
