(From left) Aurora Pijuan, Senator Imee Marcos. Images: Facebook/Aurora Pijuan, HANNAH MALLORCA/INQUIRER.net
Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan criticized Senator Imee Marcos for her choice of costume at the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of the latter’s brother, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last Monday.
Marcos was wearing the traditional handwoven garment of the Ifugao people, saying the outfit is her tribute to the Cordillera region. Her outfit consisted of a tight-fitting multicolored tribal tube dress with a blue “sablay” draped over one shoulder.
She paired this with hair beads and arm accessories of the same color scheme, but the most noticeable accessory she wore were the different henna tattoos that she decorated her chest and arms with, symbolizing the indigenous people’s “determination,” as well as her “unwavering commitment to service.”
“Suot ko ang buong Cordillera (I wore the whole Cordillera [region] at the red carpet)” during an ambush interview.
But Pijuan appeared far from impressed. Taking to her personal Twitter page on the same day, she expressed her dissatisfaction at the senator’s red carpet look, claiming that it “can’t be her.”
“This can’t be her. I won’t recognize her even if I run her over in Edsa. Not that it’s a plan,” she said.
This can’t be her. I won’t recognize her even if I run her over in Edsa. Not that it’s a plan https://t.co/LErqoHxng1
— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) July 24, 2023
The beauty queen then spoke about “putting [Filipinos] on notice” in a follow-up tweet, where she noted that Marcos’ henna tattoo seemingly took the shape of a crocodile.
“Is that a crocodile on her arm? She’s not putting us on notice, is she?” she wrote.
Is that a crocodile on her arm? She’s not putting us on notice, is she? https://t.co/UITKku8R5G
— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) July 24, 2023
Several netizens reshared Pijuan’s tweet, with some even noting that it could have been the film character Miranda Priestly talking. Miranda Priestly, portrayed by award-winning actress Meryl Streep in the 2006 movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” is a powerful fashion magazine editor in New York that made life difficult for the main character, Andi Sachs.
Ma’am, please! 😭 I’m reading on Miranda Priestly accent. 💀💀💀
— Jefferson Lee (@IsmolButTeribol) July 25, 2023
Our Miss International is MOTHERING. We Love you 💕 Hope to meet you someday QUEEN ✨
— Pawat Chittsawangdee 🧡 (@mrfranklinjp) July 25, 2023
The shade, henny, I live!!! *snapping fingers 235x* https://t.co/UGYjb4JuCi pic.twitter.com/Vyshb1torC
— 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 🌸 (@PauuMeow) July 24, 2023
🫢🫢🫢 that’s some soap opera type shit 42 years in the making https://t.co/mpsQd6Dk9u
— Alec (@AlecOpines) July 24, 2023
Pijuan and Marcos have been at loggerheads for a long time. Their pasts were intertwined with that of former athlete Tomas “Tommy” Manotoc, whose relationship with Marcos was shrouded in intrigue up to this time.
News reports claimed that the beauty queen and Manotoc were previously married and have two children, before he divorced her after obtaining a decree from the Dominican Republic. He then secretly married Marcos in the United States right after.
Manotoc and Marcos would have three children together: Borgy, Mike, and MJ, although their marriage later ended in separation. EDV
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