MGIPH contestants (from left) Sophia Francine Barles, Beatriz Mclelland, and Margarette Briton/MISS GRAND PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTOS

In true Miss Grand International fashion, the contestants of the Philippine national search paraded quirky ensembles depicting Filipino pop culture references. But the perceived heavy favorites did not just come to play.

Seasoned contestants Emma Tiglao, Michelle Arceo, Nikki Cheveh and Anita Rose Gomez were among the six ladies who topped the creative cultural costume presentation during the Charity Gala Night held at the grand ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Sunday evening, Aug. 17.

Tiglao, who was also the “hakot queen” of the night for taking six corporate awards, paraded in a Christmas lantern-inspired costume, complete with lights, an obvious reference to her province of Pampanga’s lantern-making industry.

Gomez, the other big winner of the night with three corporate awards, gave life to the local film superheroine “Super Inday” popularized by Maricel Soriano in the 80s.

Thanks to Arceo, another homegrown superheroine found her way to the Miss Grand International Philippines stage–Zsazsa Zaturnnah, who has had iterations in comics, film, and theater.

Cheveh, who carried her mother’s surname “Buenafe” when she was crowned Miss Multinational Philippines in last year’s Miss World Philippines pageant, came as a colorful “sorbetes” vendor, and handed out frozen treats to some members of the audience.

Also in the Top 6 were Angelica Joy Flores who showed a colorful interpretation of the coastal scene in her native Pangasinan, and Alyssa Geronimo who came as a karaoke machine.

A couple more fashion iterations of the beloved pastime of musically-inclined Filipinos were paraded by two other aspirants, with giant microphones and all.

Also getting the pageant treatment was 90s pop icon Jolina Magdangal, who inspired the costumes of the delegates from Bataan and Batangas as the celebrity featured in notebooks.

MGIPH contestants (from left) Anita Rose Gomez, Emma Tiglao, and Michelle Arceo/MISS GRAND PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTOS

MGIPH contestants (from left) Angelica Joy Flores, Nikki Cheveh, and Alyssa Geronimo/MISS GRAND PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTOS

Two more Filipino superheroines inspired a couple of costumes. Pageant veteran Shanon Tampon came as “Darna,” while Babylyn Namo took the stage as “Super B,” first introduced by actress Rufa Mae Quinto on film.

Boxer and former senator Manny Pacquiao was not spared, with cartwheeling candidate Chelsea Joy Arciaga appearing with golden gloves and his signature moustache.

There was also a jeepney outfit, a “perya” costume, a life-size calendar girl, and several winged women who entertained the crowd. Even the vicious comicbook character “Zuma” suddenly became an amusing sight.

Fan favorite beauty queen Mary Jean Lastimosa’s infamous flower terno costume in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant served as the inspiration of the ensembles presented by Sophia Francine Barles and Margarette Briton, while 2022 Miss Eco Teen International runner-up Beatriz Mclelland drew inspiration from the kid’s toy “lato-lato.”

The Best in Creative Cultural Costume will be announced at the coronation night of the 2025 Miss Grand International Philippines pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Aug. 24.

Reigning Miss Grand International Christine Julianne “CJ” Opiaza will crown her national successor, who will try to score a second consecutive win for the Philippines on the global stage.

The national pageant will also proclaim the Philippines’ representatives to the Miss Asia Pacific International and Face of Beauty International pageants this year, and the Reina Hispanoamericana competition next year. /edv