Costumes Parade

CEBU, Philippines - You would need to have been living under a stone to have missed the much ballyhoo-ed Queen, Pageant for Alternatives that rocked the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. It’s the debut project of dynamic duo Cary Santiago and Wendell Quisido, working together with Clothes for Life, Inc, Cebu’s fashion council, and a bevy of artistic professionals the likes of ace director Junjet Primor, choreographer Victor Cuenco, hosts Jude Bacalso and Vince Escario, to discover and nurture alternative beauties in this chic metropolis—paralleling Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. From about a hundred original applicants and 21 finalists, the international judging committee selected three winners—aptly titled Queen International, Queen World and Queen Universe, who were able to showcase their wit and grace before an impressive roster of judges. Definitely a fairy tale meets hairy tale.

And what is pageantry without the fantastic costumes? Cheers of delight reverberated inside the cavernous ballroom as the finalists paraded in their national costumes among them, sunray pleated headpiece for the Spanish Infanta-like Paul Marc Gerinea (here in black and gold brocade), the va-va-voom Venezuelan diva Chavier Mascardo in lace catsuit and plumes and the lovely warrior Lebanese princess Jose Ryan Crisologo dabbed in silver and more silver.

A runway presentation may not have been the ideal showcase for the National Costume competition as the enthusiastic audience craved for more and were not disappointed as the funwear and evening gown set them apart as exemplars of accomplished modern elegance. So this Halloween, say bye bye to the usual drab ghoul, witch and vampire costumes. Ogle at the costumes in this spread for inspiration.

Bravissimo!