MANILA, Philippines — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), through its director Dr. Rene Escalante, has invited Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray to the opening of its new committee office and to exhibit her Miss Universe national costume in museums all over the Philippines.
According to the invitation which Catriona posted on her Instagram stories, her national costume bears the tattoos of 16th-century Visayan warriors, which go well with the theme, “500 Years of Valor and Victory,” of the National Quincentennial Committee. The committee is a new group formed through President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 55 to mark the 500th anniversaries of the circumnavigation of the world, the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines, and the victory at Mactan in 2021.
Philstar.com's screenshots of NHCP's invitation posted by Catriona Gray on her Instagram story.
“We will also exhibit the costume in the museums of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, at least in the Museum of Philippine Social History in Angeles City, Museum of Philippine Political History in Malolos, Bulacan, Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, and Museo ni Jose Rizal in Fort Santiago,” the letter further stated.
“This is surreal,” Catriona simply said in the caption of her Instagram story.
Catriona's national costume, called "Celebrate, Fight, Enrich," bears the theme "Luzviminda" or Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and features artworks and indigenous fabrics and materials from the three major island regions of the Philippines.
The Bicolana beauty presented the costume during the National Costume Show on December 10 and is set to compete at the pageant’s swimsuit and evening gown preliminary competition on December 13.
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