Pia defends Maxine over 'terno' gaffe

MANILA, Philippines – “It’s a mistake.”

This is what reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach in defending her Binibining Pilipinas Universe successor Maxine Medina after the latter drew flak from netizens for saying the former first lady Imelda Marcos, invented the terno, a Filipino traditional costume for women.

Medina identified Marcos as the originator of butterfly sleeved gowns in a documentary video shown at the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Show on Thursday evening. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts however, said National Artist for Fashion Design Ramon Valera constructed the now iconic sleeves.

“It's a mistake. It wasn't done intentionally, she honestly did not know,” Wurtzbach told the reporters at the Miss Universe Pop up store launch on Friday, as aired on television.

Instead of fussing over the mistake, the public should instead note that at least the error is being corrected, Wurtzbach said.

The pageant queen also appealed to the public to stop the hate on Medina.

“Are we really going to put our girl down? And now we know, ‘di ba if it wasn't pointed out then it might have been not corrected? Hindi naman niya alam e, let's not put her down," Wurtzbach said.

Marcos, who wears the terno at social events, is associated with the terno.

The Southeast Asian Studies Northern Illinois University wrote on its website that the “terno,” which means “match” in Spanish, is the handiwork of not just one couturier but crafted from the innovations of many.