Catriona’s costume now on display in Legazpi City

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray's national costume on display at the Museo de Legazpi. (Photo by Danica Caballero)

LEGAZPI CITY --- Museo de Legazpi is inviting the public to visit the exhibit of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray's national costume, an attire inspired by the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, which in on display here until Feb. 15.

Gray donned the LuzViMinda-inspired ensemble during the Miss Universe National Costume competition on Dec. 10, 2018 in Pattaya, Thailand.

“We invite everyone to visit the exhibit while it is still here. Entrance is free and they can take photos of the costume,” Darlito A. Perez Jr., curator of the Museo de Legazpi said.

“The display gives honor to Miss Gray who brought pride to our region. She’s a Bicolana because her mom, Normita Ragas Magnayon, hailed from Oas, Albay,” he said.

Perez explained that the exhibit showcases not only the costume but also the pride and importance of Filipino culture and heritage.

“The design of this is based on the cultural heritage of the Philippines,” he said.

The Luzviminda ensemble has a bodysuit patterned with batek (tattoos) of pre-Hispanic Filipino Visayan warriors recorded in the 16th century Boxer Codex. It featured T'boli accessories such as the brass belt, Mindanaoan textile patterns, and the Pampanga lantern with a mural of the Philippine history at the back. At the center of the lantern’s mural are the Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins.

Perez said the museum is grateful to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for granting its request of displaying the national costume in Legazpi City.

Miss Gray and her team officially donated the national costume to the NHCP during the beauty queen’s birthday last Jan. 6.

The exhibit is part of the 500-day countdown and awareness campaign of the National Quincentennial Committee for the 500th year anniversary on April 27, 2021 of Lapu-Lapu’s victory in the Battle of Mactan against the Spanish fleet of Ferdinand Magellan.

Perez said the museum also exhibits the 1981 visit of Saint John Paul II in Albay and the history of Legazpi City.

The exhibit will be followed by the showcasing of the memorabilia of the late Bicolano actor Eddie Garcia this February. (PIA5)