The Philippines bet, Katrina Llegado, made it to the Top 5 of the national costume competition at the Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia after showcasing the country’s art and heritage in her Ibong Adarna dress.
Llegado soared like the Ibong Adarna, a prominent mythical bird in Philippine literature that is said to have a capability to heal sickness with its magical songs and symbolizes youth, beauty, power and resilience.
Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPO) released the photo on Facebook with the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas candidate wearing her national costume adorned with yellow and green plumage with blue and violet accents.
The costume was crafted by avant garde and celebrity designer Rocky Gathercole.
“I chose to be the Adarna because I believe its story reaffirms the importance of nature in our lives,” Katrina Llegado said, quoted by MWPO.
“By embodying the Adarna, I hope to be a living reminder that we all bear the responsibility to take care of the environment not just as a member of the Hispanic community but as a citizen of the world.”
Katrina Llegado is competing in Bolivia hoping to duplicate the feat achieved by the Philippines in 2017 through Wynwin Marquez, the first Filipino and Asian to win the Latin country-based pageant.
The coronation night will be held on February 8, 2020.
In December 2018, Catriona Gray, in her Ibong Adarna gown designed by Mak Tumang, strutted on the pageant stage in Thailand during the preliminary competition prior to winning the Miss Universe title.
Another Ibong Adarna national costume was worn by George Reylor del Lumen, the Mister Universal Ambassador 2018 winner in India, who also bagged the Best in National Costume Award after showcasing a Michael Barassi-designed costume inspired from the Ibong Adarna.
Cebuana-Palestinian beauty Gazini Ganados snagged the Best in National Costume Award during her Miss Universe stint in December 2019 after wearing her silver Philippine eagle-inspired costume created by Cary Santiago.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Katrina Lllegado, the Philippines’ Ibong Adarna in Bolivia!
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