Ruffa Gutierrez: "Nakikita naman natin na ang huhusay ng mga Pinoy. Bakit ayaw natin ipakita ang kahusayan ng mga Pinoy?” Philstar.com/Chuck Smith, file photo
MANILA, Philippines - Ruffa Gutierrez weighed in on the issue of Mary Jean Lastimosa’s controversial national costume on the preliminary event of the 63rd Miss Universe pageant.
On Thursday, the country’s representative to the 2014 Miss Universe walked the runway during the pre-pageant show’s national costume segment wearing a white terno with yellow and pink floral accents.
But netizens received the dress, saying it does not represent the country. Lastimosa’s dress was reportedly created by a Columbian designer.
MJ Lastimosa in her white terno national costume during the preliminary event of the 63rd Miss Universe pageant (AP photo)
Speaking to members of the entertainment media during the launch of her latest endorser, the beauty product Cosmo Skin Premium Collagen, on Friday, Ruffa said she believes the country’s beauty queens should wear locally-made gowns during international pageants such as the Miss Universe and Miss World.
“Hopefully, they’ll start using Filipino-made gowns, national costumes,” Ruffa said.
She added, “Kasi, all our designers are talented--more talented than the other designers all over the world. Nakikita naman natin na ang huhusay ng mga Pinoy. Bakit ayaw natin ipakita ang kahusayan ng mga Pinoy?”
Herself a beauty queen, Ruffa shared she insisted on wearing a dress made by a Filipino for the national costume segment of the 1993 Miss World.
Citing international Pinoy designers such as “Monique Lhullier, our Dubai-based designers, our Cebu-based designers,” she said: “Ang huhusay nila. So, I think you guys should help and support our Filipino designers.”
Ruffa said she’ll watch the upcoming Miss Universe pageants this Monday with her friends.
“MJ, I think she’s well prepared. She’s been in pageants several times already,” she said.
“Of course, being the representative of the Philippines, we’re all here to support her. Hopefully, she’ll be our first Miss Universe (after several years),” Ruffa said.
“Based sa nakita ko sa kanya sa Binibining Pilipinas pageant, I believe we have a strong chance,” she asked when asked if she feels Lastimosa can win the Miss Universe crown.
“I’m gonna be with all my gay friends and we’re gonna watch on Monday,” Ruffa quipped. “We’re gonna cheer for her.”