Catriona Gray, Miss Philippines 2018 poses on stage during the 2018 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Chonburi province on December 10, 2018. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s national costume will be displayed at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on Rizal Day, December 30.

During the launch of the Philippine Quincentennial Commemorations on Friday, NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy advised the public to view Gray’s national costume at their office located in Manila during the commission’s Rizal Day celebration.

The duration of the costume’s stay at the NHCP office is still indefinite. However, it will also be displayed in other NHCP museums like Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, Museum of Philippine Social History in Angeles City, Pampanga, Museum of Philippine Political History in Malolos, Bulacan, among others, according to Badoy.

Meanwhile, NHCP Chair Rene Escalante expressed high regard to the national costume’s representation of the rich culture of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“We really admire the decision of Catriona Gray’s team for choosing this costume as the national costume of our Miss Universe,” Escalante said.

Also present at the press conference was the national costume’s designer Carlos Buendia Jr. who revealed the parol (Christmas lantern) alone weighed 50kg.

Buendia said Gray was well-aware of the costume’s difficulty to pull off, but the beauty queen’s biggest concern was how to showcase the Philippines’ rich culture in the international stage through the prestigious pageant.

“She didn’t look at her scoliosis as a major consideration, it was really to showcase,” Buendia said.

The launch of Philippine Quincentennial Commemorations where Gray’s national costume in the Miss Universe 2018 was featured marks the 500th anniversary of the Victory in Mactan. /kga

Catriona Gray shares ‘technical mishap’ in her national costume