The Philippines’ Miss Universe bet Gazini Ganados looks ravishing in red at the Miss Universe dinner in a Kandama trench coat intricately woven by the Ifugaos of the Julongan village in Kiangan.
The lapel of the coat has a design of two elderly women giving each other a lending hand in pounding kernels.
The rest of the garment was adorned with happiyo, a Tuwali term for shield which the ancient Ifugao men used in combat.
Gazini has always been vocal about her advocate towards the elders. She grew up in the loving care of her grandmother.
This, as Filipino accessory designer Kathryn Fanlo revealed the Watawat earrings to be worn by the beauty queen. The former described the fashion statement as ‘a symbol of peace, unity and Filipino pride.’
A number of Gazini’s outfits made by Filipino designers foretell her story – a rich history of her homeland and the roots that paved her way to Miss Universe.
(Kathleen Bolaños)
