Miss Ifugao and Miss Baguio among top bets for Best in National Costume in MUPH 2025

While Miss Ifugao and Miss Baguio missed a spot in the Top 6 finalists of this year’s edition of Miss Universe Philippines, these Cordilleran queens topped the spotlight-worthy category – Best in National Costume.

Drawing inspiration from Filipino mythical creatures, the beauties hit the ramp in their national costume alongside the Charity Gala at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila two days before the coronation night on May 2.

The first representative of Miss Ifugao and reigning Reina Filipina North America, Valerie Pawid West, transformed into an ‘Enkanto’ of the forest with an all-white ensemble designed by Renel Suarez. The creation took inspiration from the ‘Pinading’ wood carving of renowned Christopher Atiwon, also from Ifugao.

Beyond the superb craftsmanship, Valerie made her presentation more impactful with her captivating ballet moves, from tiptoes to back bending, lending an ethereal quality to her already impressive costume.

Her overall channelling as mystic of the wild made her achieve a second-place finish in said category, out of 66 total delegates.

Coming in fifth place is Baguio City’s Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, who embodied ‘Lampong’, which she described as ‘a two-feet-tall forest spirit that has the ability to transform into a white deer with a singular luminous eye.’

Gwendoline donned yet another all-white ensemble that dripped in crystals. She confidently showcased the masterpiece crafted by another Pangasinense, Jorick Lopez Limpag.

Other beauty queens who landed in the Top 5 of the national costume contest were Caloocan City’s Allyson Ee from Northern California, who claimed the highest spot; Iloilo’s Angeline Cordero Kailani, representing the Filipino society of England, who settled as third placer; and Sultan Kudarat’s Chelsea Fernandez, crowned Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025, who ranked fourth.

Though the national costume show was held days ahead of the grand night, the winners were announced by the Miss Universe Philippines on social media a day after the coronation.

Valerie ended her campaign in the Top 24, along with Benguet’s Maiko Ibarde, while Gwendoline made it to the cut for the Top 12.