Paolo Ballesteros with Binibining Pilipinas candidate Graciella Lehmann (Image: Instagram/@pochoy_29, @graciousgraciella)
Paolo Ballesteros proudly showcased his talent in fashion design as he made a national costume for Binibining Pilipinas candidate Graciella Lehmann of Oriental Mindoro.
The “Eat Bulaga” host and great-grandson of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo showed a sketch for his design inspired by the mythological creature “tikbalang,” via his Instagram page today, July 6.
The all-white costume features a sheer bodysuit adorned in lace with pearls and rhinestones, a horse head piece made from intertwined balete tree branches, and sheer fabric that makes the tail of the tikbalang.
Meanwhile, Lehmann gave a peek at herself wearing her national costume on her Instagram page last Monday, July 4.
“Half-human, half-horse. The Tikbalang is one of the many creatures in Philippine folklore,” she said.
This is not the first time Ballesteros designed a costume for a beauty pageant. He previously made designs for Agatha Romero (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018) and Honey Cartasano (Binibining Pilipinas 2019 and Binibining Pilipinas 2021).
The national costumes of the Binibining Pilipinas candidates were first teased last Monday through an exhibit at a mall in Quezon City. Meanwhile, the beauty pageant’s national costume fashion show will take place on July 16.
Binibining Pilipinas’ 58th grand coronation night will be held on July 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The event will have a live telecast through TV5, A2Z, The Kapamilya Channel and Metro Channel. /ra
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