By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom – 5 hours ago
Ruffa Gutierrez, 1993 Miss World 3rd runner-up, hopes Filipino bets to international beauty pageants support local designers by wearing their creations.
Miss Philippines-Universe MJ Lastimosa’s national costume and white gown during the preliminary rounds in Miami, Florida were made by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza.
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Mary Jean 'MJ' Lastimosa: Let's be positive/NPPA Images
Mixed reactions
His creations, especially the floral terno, got mixed reactions from netizens. Some even likened it to a birthday cake.
Ruffa did not comment on MJ’s gown and national costume, but said Filipino beauty queens should patronize local designers.
“Hopefully, they will start wearing Filipino-made gowns and national costumes. Kasi all our designers are so talented. Nakita naman natin na ang huhusay ng mga Pinoy. Bakit ayaw nating ipakita ang kahusayan ng mga Pinoy?,” Ruffa said at the press conference of her endorsement Cosmo Skin Premium Collagen on Thursday, January 23.
Insanely-talented
Ruffa agreed with Cebu-based designer Cary Santiago, who posted on Instagram that Stella Araneta of Binibining Pilipinas should start using Filipino-made gowns for beauty queens.
Cary said, “We have a lot of insanely talented Filipino designers than what Barazza can do.”
“Dapat isuot nila yung Pinoy na gawa. Hindi natin kailangan na manghiram pa ng damit. So sayang lang yung chance na maipakita natin yung mga mahuhusay natin na designers kung hindi natin ipaparada ang sarili nating gowns, mga costumes,” Ruffa said.
Strong chance
Ruffa wore a sarimanok-themed national costume by Ben Farrales in the 1993 Miss World pageant.
“Nakita mo na Pinoy na Pinoy talaga. Yung gown wala akong choice, pero maganda naman, wagi naman siya. But I think now madami nang mahuhusay (na Filipino designers).”
Ruffa added, “Nakita mo naman Monique Lhullier, sinuot ng asawa ni Barack Obama. All our Dubai-based designers, Cebu-based designers, ang huhusay nila. I think you should help and support our Filipino designers.”
Ruffa thinks MJ has a “strong chance” in the Miss Universe pageant.
“I think she’s well-prepared. She’s been in pageants several times already. Being the representative of the Philippnes, we’re all here to support her. I think we need to show our Philippine representatives that we’re here no matter what, para magkaroon sila ng confidence.”
