IN PHOTOS: Awe-inspiring national costumes of Filipina beauty queens

Miss Universe fever is definitely on as the 69th edition of the grand international beauty pageant kicked off its official competition by unveiling the beauty queens' national costumes on Friday, May 14.
A total of 74 candidates are vying for the most-coveted crown this year and all of them are eager to make their respective countries proud.
The Philippines' bet, 24-year-old Rabiya Mateo, confidently glided across the Miss Universe stage wearing her Philippine flag-inspired costume. She donned red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colors and symbols of the country's flag.
Although she trended on Twitter as the public gushed over her stellar performance, some pageant fans expressed their dismay over her “incomplete” outfit, questioning why she did not wear the headpiece that is supposed to top off her look.
Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup explained that they decided to exclude the sun headpiece as it always falls off her head.
Meanwhile, while we celebrate different cultures worldwide, let us look first at the national costumes of the 2020 Filipina beauty queens, which were showcased in the international pageants that pushed through amid the coronavirus pandemic.









