Herlene Budol (Image: Instagram/@herlene_budol, @bbpilipinasofficial)
Herlene Budol, known as “Hipon Girl,” has paid tribute to her hometown Angono, Rizal, with her Higantes festival-inspired national costume for Binibining Pilipinas.
The TV host-comedian gave her national costume a personal touch by incorporating an orange-and-gold bodysuit and headpiece that embodies her as “Hipon Girl.”
She then honored the town she represents with a hand-painted cape and a massive higantes, similar to those paraded during Angono’s Higantes Festival, as seen on Binibining Pilipinas’ Instagram page yesterday, July 13. The festival springs from the myth that giants, or “higantes,” used to walk over the land of Angono.
Budol’s costume was designed by Patrick Isorena, her cape was painted by Herbert Ebok Pinpiño, and she was photographed by Raymond Saldana and Owen Reyes.
For her part, Budol gave fans a closer look at her costume via her Instagram page, also yesterday.
Budol is competing with 39 other contestants for four crowns: Bb. Pilipinas International, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, Bb. Pilipinas Globe and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International. She is hoping to be the Philippines’ first Miss Grand International and asked the public to “give her a chance.”
The national costumes of the Binibining Pilipinas candidates were first teased earlier this month through an exhibit at a mall in Quezon City. The beauty pageant’s official national costume fashion show will take place on Saturday, July 16.
Binibining Pilipinas’ 58th grand coronation night will be held on July 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves as hosts. /ra
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