PHL, Indonesia, Venezuela bag special awards in Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show

The 65th Miss Universe candidates flew to Davao on Thursday for the Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show, an ancillary event dedicated to showcasing Mindanaon fabric and Filipino ingenuity in garment design.

Miss Philippine Maxine Medina, Miss Indonesia Kezia Warouw, and Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach stood out from the group of 29 beauty queens who took the stage, winning special awards from official sponsor Phoenix Petroleum Philippines.

Warouw was hailed Miss Phoenix Smile, Medina was recognized as Hiyas ng Phoeniz, and Habach won the Miss Phoenix Elegant title.

According to an GMA News' Unang Balita report on Friday, the theme of the night was "ethnic-contemporary" and the fabrics used were weaved by various tribes from different places in Mindanao.

Miss USA Deshauna Barber and Miss Honduras Sirey Moran expressed their enthusiasm for touring the Philippines.

"Thank you guys for having us in the Philippines, we're having a blast," Barber told Unang Balita. "The hospitality here is wonderful. Miss USA loves you!"

Moran, meanwhile, said "Mahal ko kayo, salamat! I want to live here!"

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation event live on GMA on January 30, beginning at 8 a.m. — RSJ, GMA News