Catriona Gray. Image from Instagram / @cornerstone
MANILA, Philippines — Catriona Gray served several fashion looks during her hosting stint at the recent 2023 Miss Manila pageant that she essentially transformed the Metropolitan Theater, the competition’s venue, as her own runway.
The 2018 Miss Universe titleholder opened the show from the foyer, outside the main theater hall, in a red, off-shoulder mini-dress with white lace appliques, then took her fashion all the way to end of the aisle by the stage to welcome the 20 delegates and singer Angeline Quinto who sang the pageant’s anthem.
In the subsequent segments of the competition, she changed into a multi-colored, sequin-embellished, sparkly modern Maria Clara with an embroidered “panuelo” accentuated with a shiny patch on the left and shimmery fringes on the bottom. She opted for volume during the question round of the pageant and donned an asymmetrical avocado-hued gown with oversized draped accents from her right shoulder all the way down on one side of the garment, that was cut just below her ankles.
For the final stage of the competition, Gray showed up in a hot pink, crepe, floor-length gown devoid of any sparkles and embellishments. The dress, though, had an architectural neckline, with hip accents using the same fabric of the gown.
Catriona Gray with Rayver Cruz. Image from Instagram
Gray credited her glam team on social media for the various looks she served at the program. “Thanks to my team [Justine Aliman], [Patrick Henry Mergano], [Jelly Eugenio], [Paul Nebres] for my looks [Philippine flag emoji],” she posted. The gowns were designed by Aliman, Manny Halasan, and Cherry Veric, she added. Jhaena Jewels provided her accessories.
This was not the first time that the beauty queen made the Metropolitan Theater a backdrop for her fashion. She was featured in a promotional video that showcased the refurbished theater when it was reopened early last year.
“Such a joy hosting and being part of this year’s [Miss Manila pageant] alongside [Rayver Cruz],” Gray shared, and expressed her gratitude to the City Government of Manila, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila, and production partner Kreativden Entertainment “for the trust.”
The staging of the 2023 Miss Manila pageant came after a five-year hiatus. The previous edition was held in 2018, two administrations ago, and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said reviving the competition was one of her priorities when she assumed her post in 2022.
Gray said the pageant’s revival ushers the city government’s commitment to stake its claim as the organizer of the most highly-anticipated local competition in the country, that traces its roots from the Manila Carnival Queen contest, touted as the first legitimate beauty pageant in the Philippines. Pura Villanueva-Kalaw, the first queen, was a journalist and activist who fought for Filipino women’s right to suffrage.
Miss Manila Gabrielle Lantzer (center) beams to the crowd with her court composed of (from left) second runner-up Francine Tajanlangit, Miss Manila-Charity Anna Carres De Mesa, Miss Manila-Tourism Angela Okol, and first runner-up Karen Nicole Piccio./ARMIN P. ADINA
Gabrielle Lantzer from the Malate district, an 18-year-old incoming biochemistry freshman student at the De La Salle University-Manila, edged out national pageant veterans for the title, and the P1 million cash prize. She was also adjudged as Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown, and received the Miss Villa Medica Manila award.
Angela Okol from Paco, who joined the 2021 Miss Universe Philippines and 2022 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageants, settled for the Miss Manila-Tourism title, while Anna Carres De Mesa from Santa Mesa, a semifinalist in the 2021 Miss World Philippines and 2022 Binibining Pilipinas competitions, was proclaimed Miss Manila-Charity. The two other titleholders each received P100,000.
Visual artist Karen Nicole Piccio from Pureza, who was crowned Miss Philippines-Ecotourism in the 2019 Miss Philippines Earth pageant, finished as first runner-up, while nurse Francine Tajanlangit from Roxas Boulevard rounded up the winners’ circle as second runner-up. They both received P50,000. EDV