The Filipina beauty queens who took home the Best in National Costume award in Miss Universe

The Philippines has once again stood out on the global stage, bagging a remarkable back-to-back win in Miss Universe’s National Costume competition.

Chelsea Manalo won the award this year following Michelle Dee’s triumph last year, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and traditions while celebrating Filipino talent and craftsmanship.

Aside from Michelle and Chelsea, two more Filipina queens won the award.

Charlene Gonzalez (1994)

The Philippines first won the award in 1994.

Charlene Gonzalez wore a national costume inspired by ethnic tribes T'boli, Bagobo, and Higaonon. It featured a golden crop top-like blouse and a shimmering gold and red pantsuit that had tassels around the waist.

The costume also came with a fan-shaped headdress decorated with feathers and pearls.

Charlene ended her Miss Universe stint in the Top 6.

Gazini Ganados (2019)

25 years later, Gazini Ganados won the country’s second Best in National Costume award at Miss Universe 2019.

She wore a creation by Cary Santiago inspired by the Philippine eagle. It took Cary and the entire team 45 days to make, with 30 people working on it for 12 hours every day.

The national costume featured laser-cut patterns, beading, and intricate placement of feathers.

Aside from the award, Gazini also made it to the Top 20 of the competition.

Michelle Dee (2023)

Michelle was the third representative to win the award for the Philippines.

The national costume by Michael Barassi was Michelle’s tribute to the Filipino weaving culture and her role as an Air Force Reservist.

The bodice on her look featured a solihiya woven pattern, one of the Philippines’ most popular rattan weaves, and had airplane-like wings with the colors of the Philippine flag as well as a mural of the country’s iconic destinations. At the back is the country’s tourist slogan, #LoveThePhilippines.

Michelle finished her Miss Universe stint in the Top 10. She also won the Spirit of Carnival award and was among the three gold medalists in the Voice for Change video competition.

Chelsea Manalo (2024)

Chelsea’s national costume was a creation by Manny Halasan, the same designer who made her Miss Universe Philippines national costume.

Titled “Hiraya,” the golden costume she showcased on the international stage paid homage to the Philippines’ religions.

It has patterns of Islamic art, features Puni, the most popular art form in Bulacan, and has an image of Our Lady of Antipolo or Our Lady of Good Voyage.

It also came with a beaded boat headpiece to symbolize the Galleon trade, in which ships from Manila to Mexico introduced trading to the country, and two fans as she walked, reminiscent of what is used in the Philippine Muslim ethnic dance, the singkil.

Aside from the national costume award, Chelsea also made it to the Top 30 and made history by becoming the first Miss Universe Asia.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News