Max Collins, Sanya Lopez, Arci Muñoz share the runway with beauty queens

Max Collins, Sanya Lopez and Arci Muñoz. Image: courtesy of Leo Almodal

Kapuso actresses Max Collins and Sanya Lopez took a break from their thespic duties to become living mannequins for a day as they walked down the runway in a fashion show that also saw a brigade of beauty queens.

The two were also joined by their fellow actresses Arci Muñoz and Ara Mina as models for designer Leo Almodal’s first-ever fashion show held at the grand ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Saturday, June 22.

Collins opened the show in a crystal-encrusted gold ensemble, with a huge “pinukpok” head piece and matching back panel. She later returned to the runway in a sparkly red bustier top with matching leggings attached to stiletto heels. A red fascinator finished the look.

Almodal has made a name for himself in the local fashion scene, especially in pageantry, with his signature sparkles in intricate patterns, attention-grabbing silhouettes, and gravity-defying elements.

The two-hour show, which started way later than what was initially announced, felt like an extended evening gown competition in a beauty pageant, with national and international titleholders taking their sweet time, one by one, on the runway.

The stellar line-up of models included international pageant winners, back-to-back Miss Earth queens Jamie Herrell and Angelia Ong, The Miss Globe Maureen Montagne, and reigning Universal Woman Maria Gigante.

Sharing the runway with them were Filipino queens who placed in various international competitions, 2023 Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx, 2023 Miss Earth-Air Yllana Marie Aduana, and 2020 Miss Grand International first runner-up Samantha Bernardo. They were joined by 2017 Miss Earth-Air Michelle Gomez from Colombia.

And fresh from the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, Zambales lass Anita Rose Gomez and Leyte’s Angel Rose Tambal paraded the gowns that they used for the national pageant’s preliminary competition.

The parade of pageant queens extended with 2014 Miss Bikini Philippines Hazel Ortiz, 2019 Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, 2019 Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao, 2021 Miss World Philippines Tracy Maureen Perez, 2022 Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Ingrid Santamaria, 2022 Binibining Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez, and 2023 Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez.

Miss World Philippines-Charity Cassandra Bermeo Chan, Miss Universe Philippines first runner-up CJ Opiaza, Miss Universe Philippines semifinalist Ghenesis Latugat, Binibining Pilipinas alumna Maria Isabela Galeria, and former Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City Lorraine Ojimba also strutted down the catwalk.

Crossing both planes as beauty queen and actress was reigning Miss Philippines Tourism and Kapuso comedienne Herlene Budol, who took the runway in the Almodal ensemble that she used at the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines pageant.