MANILA, PHILIPPINES (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – After last year’s much-maligned national costume for Miss Philippines-Universe MJ Lastimosa, Binibining Pilipinas Charities is not taking any chances this time around.

Lastimosa’s national costume during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant held in Doral, Florida  was likened to a giant meringue wedding cake.  It was designed by Colombian Alfredo Barraza.

When reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach takes to the stage for the next Miss Universe pageant, there will be no wedding cake and no Colombian designer — just an ethnically and multiculturally-inspired gown by one of the Philippines’ top fashion designers.

The design, unveiled today at the offices of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, combines the elegance of a body-hugging beige gown with traditional butterfly terno sleeves, elements of the Singkil princess via a crown-like headdress, the intricate embroidery of the barong tagalog and the skillful weave of the banig (straw mat).  And yes, there are still some remnants of the flowers that adorned Lastimosa’s gown.

All in all, the elite fashionistas are calling the design a melting pot of Philippine culture, which will put Wurtzbach in strong competition with some of the best national costumes at the Miss Universe pageant.

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