MANILA, Philippines — On Thursday night, it was like the Miss Universe pageant happened in the Philippines once more as the visiting Miss Universe 2016 and 2017 winners and candidates showcased their curves and grace in evening wear mostly designed by some of the Philippines’ best fashion designers.
The Front Row Universe Charity Gala Fashion Show in Solaire Hotel and Casino was the highlight of a benefit dinner for international humanitarian organization Hope 4 Change, which focuses on student sponsorship, medical outreach, and well-drilling for the benefit for children in poor countries all over the globe.
During the fashion show, Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters proudly wore an immaculate pearly white gown by Filipino celebrity fashion designer Rajo Laurel.
READ: Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters wears Rajo Laurel in charity gala
Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere wore a princess-like white gown with embroidery and a sweetheart neckline by Albert Andrada.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach wore black and matched it with a natural, daytime-inspired makeup for the Front Row photo shoot.
During the runway show, she changed to a white Francis Libiran creation.
Miss Universe Philippines and top 10 finalist 2017 Rachel Peters was in a sexy maroon number with a high slit.
During the fashion show, she wore a black sweetheart gown.
Miss Universe China 2017 Roxette Qiu wore a draped Rocky Gathercole pink number.
Miss Universe Russia 2017 Alexandrova Kseniya wore an ombre black ensemble by Cherry Veric.
Miss Universe Great Britain and top 16 2017 Anna Burdzy donned a pink-violet draped dress with an asymmetrical neckline by Ito Curata.
Miss Universe Netherlands 2017 Nicky Opheij was in a maroon Odelon Simpao sweetheart gown.
Miss Universe India 2017 Shraddha Shashidhar wore a silvery white serpentine Michael Leyva piece.
Miss Universe USA 2017 Kara McCullough wore a black and gold spaghetti-strap dress by New York designer John Paul Ataker.
Miss Universe Philippines and top 6 2016 Maxine Medina was in a baby pink Rhett Eala dress filled with Jewelmer pearls.
Miss Universe Philippines 2009 Bianca Manalo was in a white, rhinestone-studded, sweetheart dress by Mark Bumgarner. She was joined in other photos by other queens like Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj.
— Reports from C. Mendez Legaspi