The photos of the national costume worn by the Cebu Province candidate of Bb. Pilipinas drew flak as she wore the exact vestment of the Señor Santo Niño. She was donned in red and gold --the official colors of the image that is referred to as holy and miraculous. In her defense, the candidate Joy Dacoron said that she chose the costume to express her faith in the Santo Niño. She was a devotee and her faith grew stronger with different trials that were hurled her way. Still, that didn't quite sit well with the critics.
As every story is like a coin, there are two sides to it. The other one should argue that the usage of the vestments fell under their creative freedom. While there is no law that prohibits one from exactly copying the vestment, it now becomes a question of ethics. Was it right? Was it proper? Was it moral?
Dabbling with the art world alongside communication has allowed me to realize that copying is not exactly being creative. How do we define being creative? I'd like to say when one is inspired by a certain design, image, or object that the output manifests remnants of the original reference. It's not exactly the same but is likened to.
Meanwhile, the other side also says that it is disrespectful. Because the image is highly respected and revered, it must be treated with sensitivity. The point is not to commodify such work of art and make money from it. The pageant world is an open secret, it can get very competitive but it also involves a lot of cash flow --both in and out. We can always honor a miraculous being in ways that do not transgress the image itself, like the final costume that she wore on stage.
The discussion on the national costume has allowed me to realize that most people involved in the creative industry are becoming captives. They are held to the idea to always make a statement, to come across, to reach a point of virality --so they can sell their work, their candidate, their name. Instead of expressing one's artistic message hand-in-hand with the candidates' cultural advocacy, they are tied to the mindset of striking a show once the costume goes on stage.
Pageant organizers should also set guidelines to finally put this issue to rest. Because we are predominantly a Catholic and Spanish-influenced country, some symbols must be treated with utmost respect. Better yet, we revisit the definition of a national costume. It is supposed to represent where the candidate hails from. A representation isn't necessarily bringing the whole landmark to the stage --that's where the creativity kicks in.
I commend the churches for stepping up for this issue because it goes beyond the pageantry. We are now talking about respect and creative boundaries. Whether or not Dacoron will win, this must be a wake-up call to those involved in culture and the arts.