Chelsea Manalo in her ‘Hiraya’ national costume. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

Chelsea Manalo, the Philippines’ representative in the recently concluded Miss Universe pageant, has been proclaimed as “Best in National Costume” two weeks after the international tilt concluded.

The global pageant announced that “La Bulakenya” topped the online poll for national costume on social media, showing Manalo in her “Hiraya” ensemble created by Bulacan-based accessories and fashion designer Manny Halasan.

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In an earlier social media post, Manalo said the costume is “a symbolism of the far and profound history and relationship between the Philippines and Mexico. It reflects the shared deep devotion of both countries to religion. It depicts the colorful and historical introduction of Christianization and Islam in the Philippines.”

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She added that “Hiraya” evokes hope or a wish, and the costume channels her faith in God. “Despite all the hardships, chaos, roadblocks and redirection that we go through, believe that there is hope and Divine guidance from a Higher Being,” she said.

The costume’s main dress is made using the “inaul’ traditional fabric in Mindanao, with “tongkaling” bells attached and creating a sound with every step. It also employed “puni,” or decorative coconut fronds popular in Bulacan.

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The attached overskirt features an image of Our Lady of Good Voyage, brought to the Philippines from Mexico. The headdress, meanwhile, features a bejeweled Spanish galleon, representing the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade centuries ago. Halasan finished the look with matching fans.

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The national costume and preliminary competition show was held on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila), two days before the final coronation show at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Manalo has now become the fourth Filipino woman to top the national costume competition in the Miss Universe pageant, following Charlene Gonzalez in 1994, Gazini Ganados in 2019 and her immediate predecessor Michelle Marquez Dee last year.

The 2024 Miss Universe title went to Viktoria Kjær Theilvig, the first winner from Denmark. Manalo finished in the Top 30 and was proclaimed as Miss Universe Asia.

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