MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray donned an “Ibong Adarna”-inspired evening gown as she walked the international pageant stage Thursday night.
“My preliminary gown was inspired by the ‘Ibong Adarna,’ a prominent Filipino folklore that is a mythologicalnous bird,” Gray said in an Instagram post on Friday.
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The 24-year-old beauty queen shared how the “Ibong Adarna’s” voice “can enable complete healing to anyone who hears it.”
She added: “Some artists liken it to the mythological Phoenix where it recurrently regenerates itself by arising amidst a spectacle of flames and candescence.”
Gray said this is why the gown, designed by Mak Tumang, is a “fitting symbol of resilience, rising and rebirth.”
Meanwhile, Tumang described Gray as the “blazing Adarna” because she uses her voice to “influence, advance her timely causes” in an Instagram post on Thursday.
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Tumang added: “Her will-power and burning passion drive her to make every Filipino proud in whatever she does.”
Gray will try to win the country’s fourth Miss U crown this coming December 17 at Bangkok, Thailand./ac
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