A journey of a beauty pageant candidate toward the crown is always different and special. Some bring the best fashions they can get, others highlight their causes and charity works. But what makes their paths the same is that they’re always personal. They bring their stories about the places they are representing, keep familial lessons in their hearts and minds, and celebrate fellow women who have inspired them to be who they are today.
That final bit is what Katrina Dimaranan did in one of her latest photo shoots. Taguig’s representative at Miss Universe Philippines 2021 honored her grandmother by recreating a look from her past, particularly a jet-setting ensemble in 1976. In the old photo, her grandma was seen at an airport in California, wearing an elegant pink outfit, a neck scarf, and on her arm was a blanket, which she always had with her. But what that photo of her lola reminded Katrina is how her lola “always wanted to fly, and achieve bigger things for her family,” and the lesson she gave her saying, “Always find your own path and focus ka lang, apo.”
To recreate her look, Katrina employed the help of Raymond Umpa, a Davao-based designer, for the suit. Going with it is a custom-made abaca leather bag by Iloilo brand Aton ini. And capturing her mimic her lola’s pose is photographer Dennis Sulit.
“This photo shoot was personally meaningful to me,” Katrina said. “As I move forward to pursue my dreams, I do not want to forget my roots, and I always want to be thankful for those who were part of my journey. I wanted to recreate this moment that was important for my family.”
Photo credits
Creative Director: Nico Nava
Photographer: Dennis Sulit
Makeup: Carissa Cielo Medved
Hair: Florenz
Stylists: Patrick Henry and Macky Combe