Paolo Ballesteros designs Binibining Pilipinas candidate Graciella Lehmann’s ‘Tikbalang’ costume

Paolo Ballesteros is once again showcasing his artistic skills with the national costume he designed for Binibining Pilipinas 2022 candidate Graciella Lehmann.

On Instagram, the “Eat Bulaga” host gave a peek at his design called the “Tikbalang,” which is inspired by the Philippine folklore creature.

Grand in white, the costume is “fashioned with intertwined branches of the Balete tree that forms the horse head and butterfly sleeves, and hugs the body down to its hooves as to conceal the creature’s presence.”

It also features sheets of translucent, ghostly-white fabric to symbolize the mane and tail “that dance with the wind as it lurks in the shadows.”

The body, meanwhile, is made up of lace and accentuated with shimmering pearls and rhinestones.

“Ethereal and sublime it may be, be wary of its eyes—blood red, glowing in the darkness of night. Gaze and marvel in awe, and forever be lost in enchantment,” Paolo described his creation.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Graciella Lehmann (@graciella.lehmann)

“Tikbalang for [Binibining Pilipinas] national costume,” he added.

Meanwhile, Graciella, who hails from Oriental Mindoro, shared Paolo’s post on her IG stories and gave a glimpse of the entire costume in another video.

This isn’t the first time Paolo wowed with his skills in fashion design. Last year, he designed the national costume of the pageant’s Rizal candidate.

In 2018, he created a Filipiniana for Mutya ng Pilipinas candidate Agatha Romero.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2022 National Costume Fashion Show will take place on July 16 at New Frontier Theater. The coronation, meanwhile, is on July 31. – RC, GMA News