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Ahtisa Manalo is a festival queen for Miss Universe National Costume competition

Ahtisa Manalo was a vision as a “festival queen” at the Miss Universe National Costume competition.

The Filipina beauty queen wore a piece that features a flesh-colored Filipiniana top with a wide bright colored skirt. She also wore a green and gold headpiece and gold jewelry with colorful beads.

According to her Instagram post, her costume is “a living symbol of beauty, grace, and cultural pride who dazzles not only with elegance but with the spirit of every Filipino fiesta.”

The costume was inspired by the traje de mestiza, with a camisa with its bell-shaped sleeves, intricate saya, and panuelo draped over her shoulders. The elements were inspired by Maria Clara, “the symbol of the ideal Filipina: virtuous, modest, and dignified.”

The dress was crafted from hand-embroidered piña, while the skirt is made from dyed fabric “adorned with hand-cut, die-cut, and heat-pressed petals, each meticulously sewn one by one.”

Each layer is inspired by a festival, namely, the Giant Lantern Festival of Pampanga which symbolizes hope and unity, the Pahiyas Festival of Quezon which honors the colorful harvest, and the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio which focuses on flowers and is incorporated into the design.

“The Philippines is a nation of fiestas where every town and barrio bursts with rhythm, color, and devotion. This costume captures that collective heartbeat, weaving together history, tradition, and festivity into a single, radiant vision,” she said.

“With every step, I become the living festival of the Philippines—carrying the brilliance of a thousand lanterns, the warmth of Filipino hospitality, and the timeless grace of María Clara onto the Miss Universe stage,” she added.

At the swimsuit competition held last week, she walked the runway with her signature confidence while wearing a piece by a local fashion brand.

She was crowned in May.

The competition is happening on November 21 at the Impact Muong Thong Thani Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Filipiniana

“Filipiniana” refers to a category of cultural items from the Philippines, including traditional clothing, literature, and historical documents. The term is most famously associated with the traditional women’s attire, the “terno,” known for its iconic butterfly sleeves, which evolved from Spanish-influenced dress styles during the colonial period. It represents a celebration and preservation of Filipino national identity and heritage.

traje de mestiza

The “traje de mestiza” is a traditional Filipino dress for women, also known as the “Maria Clara” gown. It evolved during the Spanish colonial era, blending indigenous elements like the butterfly sleeves with European-influenced silhouettes. Today, it is worn as formal attire and is a prominent symbol of Filipino cultural identity and heritage.

Maria Clara

“Maria Clara” is not a physical place but a symbolic character from José Rizal’s novel *Noli Me Tangere*, representing the idealized, modest, and resilient Filipino woman during the Spanish colonial era. Her name has become a cultural icon, often used to describe traditional Filipino femininity and the virtues of Filipino women. The character’s tragic story reflects the struggles and oppression faced by Filipinos under colonial rule.

Giant Lantern Festival

The Giant Lantern Festival is an annual Christmas tradition held in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, dating back to the early 1900s. Originally featuring simple paper lanterns called “parols,” the event has evolved into a spectacular competition where communities create massive, intricately designed lanterns up to 20 feet in diameter. These modern versions are illuminated by complex electronic lighting systems that dance in synchronized patterns, transforming them into dazzling displays of artistry and local pride.

Pampanga

Pampanga is a province in the Philippines located on the island of Luzon, renowned as the country’s “Culinary Capital” for its rich and distinct cuisine. Historically, it was one of the first provinces established by the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, with its capital, Mexico, serving as an early administrative and religious center. The region is also famous for its vibrant festivals, such as the Giant Lantern Festival, and for its resilience, having rebuilt its capital, San Fernando, after the devastating 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Pahiyas Festival

The Pahiyas Festival is a vibrant annual harvest celebration held every May 15 in Lucban, Quezon, Philippines, in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Its history dates back to the 16th century when farmers would bring their harvests to the church steps as an offering of thanksgiving. The tradition evolved into the present-day festival, where homes are brilliantly decorated with colorful “kiping” (leaf-shaped rice wafers), fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products.

Quezon

Quezon is both a province and a city in the Philippines, named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines. Quezon City was established in 1939 and served as the national capital from 1948 to 1976, playing a central role in the country’s modern political history. The province is also known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, which celebrates a bountiful harvest with colorful and creative decorations.

Panagbenga Festival

The Panagbenga Festival is an annual flower festival held in Baguio City, Philippines, every February. It was created in 1995 to help the city and its people recover from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. The festival celebrates the season of blooming and the rich floral culture of the Cordillera region, featuring grand parades of flower-decorated floats and street dancers in colorful, flower-inspired costumes.