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Bb. Pilipinas Maxine Medina wowed the crowd as she displayed with pride her vinta-inspired costume during the preliminary competition of the Miss Universe.
Medina was greeted with cheers by the crowd as she loomed onstage clad in a costume inspired by the vinta sails of Zamboanga during the preliminary competition held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday night.
Her attire was topped with a P1-million worth headdress inspired by Philippine corals and adorned with authentic Philippine south sea pearls from Jewelmer.
During the evening gown competition, Medina wore a flowing green evening gown with fringes designed by Rhett Eala.
Medina vowed to clinch a back-to-back win for the country, following Pia Wurtzbach, who took 2015 Miss Universe crown, ending a 42-year title drought.
Wurtzbach hosted Thursday night’s preliminary competition with actor Derek Ramsey.
Among the judges was Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.
Spotted in the audience was Miss Universe 1991 Lupita Jones.
Medina has been hounded with questions about her communication skills in English, raising the possibility of her using an interpreter. But she said she would be open to using Filipino during the question-and-answer portion on coronation night./ac