What could have been: Catriona’s 3rd Miss Universe gown, and its patriotic symbol, revealed

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Dec 27 2018 04:58 PM | Updated as of Dec 27 2018 06:03 PM

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray walks in the final round of the pageant, wearing the Mayon gown designed by Mak Tumang. Athit Perawongmetha, Reuters

It’s no secret that Catriona Gray and her collaborator, Mak Tumang, prepared three gowns for the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok.

Gray, however, only got to use two of them — the Adarna gown in the preliminary competition and the Mayon-inspired dress on coronation day — with no glimpse whatsoever of the third, until Thursday.

Designer Mak Tumang’s sketch of Catriona Gray’s third Miss Universe gown, the Perla Oriente. Facebook: Mak Tumang

Breakout designer Tumang on Facebook finally shared the first look at Perla Oriente, a gold and turquoise high-slit dress which, like the first two gowns, is similarly embellished with patriotic symbolism in mind.

This time, it’s the Philippines’ national gem.

Describing his creation, Tumang wrote: “Pearl of the Orient Seas is the byname given to our beautiful country, the Philippines. Even our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal referred the country with this sobriquet in his poem: Mi último adiós.”

Details of Mak Tumang’s Perla Oriente, the third gown intended for Catriona Gray’s Miss Universe bid. Facebook: Mak Tumang

“Aside from the fact that our country is one of the largest producers of pearls, the Philippines is truly a gem! It is beautiful, enchanting and captivating. Indeed a high value and rare pearl! This piece in itself is an extolment of the Philippines.

“May we always be proud of our roots. May we always treasure and cherish it as this is and will always be our ‘Bayang Magiliw... Perlas ng Silanganan,’” Tumang explained.

Catriona Gray poses in the Perla Oriente gown. Facebook: Mak Tumang

In the week leading up to the Miss Universe finale, which saw Gray becoming the fourth Filipino winner of the prestigious pageant, Tumang revealed that the final three gowns were the result of seven sketches, four prototypes, and the collaboration of 16 artisans.

In total, the three dresses cost P1,025,091 and took nearly four months to complete.

But what happened that prevented Gray from actually donning Perla Oriente? Tumang, in his first sit-down interview after the Miss Universe coronation, told ABS-CBN News that the dress was intended for one of the pre-pageant events.

Catriona Gray poses in the Perla Oriente gown. Facebook: Mak Tumang

“Supposedly, it was a preliminary option. Dapat gagamitin siya sa Thai night, kaso that night, ginamit ‘yung mga Thai designers,” he said, referring to a fashion show highlighting Thai silk used in creations by local designers.

Tumang, whom Gray has credited for his “brilliant” ideas and execution of her Miss Universe gowns, has been one of the driving forces behind the Filipina’s headline-making bid in the competition.

He was also the designer behind Gray’s gowns in Binibining Pilipinas, Miss World talent showcase, the 2018 ABS-CBN Ball, and other guest appearances in the Kapamilya network.

With his muse’s trending Miss Universe performance, Tumang, too, has earned himself a wide new audience. There has been a surge of inquiries and requests from potential clients, he said, since Gray debuted her first gown in the preliminary show, and especially after she became Miss Universe.

A collection of Mak Tumang creations worn by Catriona Gray in numerous events prior to Miss Universe. Instagram: Mak Tumang

“Still on cloud nine,” Tumang said on Instagram, a week after the competition — undoubtedly over the great new possibilities that come with being an instrumental force behind the Philippines’ latest pride.

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