LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles) – There is no giant wedding cake for Miss Philippines’ national costume in this weekend’s Miss Universe Pageant.

After taking much flak for MJ Lastimosa’s Colombian-designed national costume at the last pageant, Binibining Pilipinas Charities left no stone unturned to make sure that Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s national costume this time around is Filipino-designed and truly representative of indigenous culture.

Now that Wurtzbach’s national costume has been unveiled, Filipinos are united in praising the design inspired by the Philippine coral, capiz chandelier, hand-stitched placemat and the favorite Filipino food, fresh lumpia.

We wish Miss Philippines all the luck!

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles) – Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s national costume for the Miss Universe Pageant scheduled for Sunday at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas has been the best kept secret for many months now.  The closest peek so far was Wurtzbach’s post on her Facebook page showing the butterfly sleeve of her national costume, a terno.

The only other clue that Binibining Pilipinas Charities (which holds the Philippine franchise for Miss Universe) has revealed to the media was that Wurtzbach’s national costume will be made of 80% capiz, the prized sea shell material used in traditional windows, screens, jewelry and souvenir items that are truly representative of local culture.

Today, on the night of the pageant’s preliminary competition, The Adobo Chronicles was given an exclusive sneak peek into Wurtzbach’s national costume, designed by a famous Filipino fashion artist.

It is definitely a far cry from the  ‘wedding cake’ national costume worn by MJ Lastimosa, last year’s representative to the Miss Universe Pageant.