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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Miss Nigeria's winning costume designed by Isabela student

Miss Nigeria's winning costume designed by Isabela student

Published Dec 14, 2021 04:21 pm

ISABELA – A fashion designer student from Isabela is being credited for creating the national costume of Miss Nigeria Maristella Okpala for the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.

20-year-old Kennedy Jhon Gasper said his creation was inspired by a famous traditional masquerade of the southeastern tribe of Nigeria called "Mmanwa" which won the best national costume award in this year’s pageant.

A Filipina model wears the national costume of Miss Nigeria Maristella Okpala which she wore during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. (Photo from Facebook page of Kennedy Jhon Gasper/Manila Bulletin)

"It is made of African Beads, stones, crafts. Mmanwa is a female masquerade costume that's designed for ceremonial and festive purposes to celebrate the rich Nigerian cultural heritage by paying a closer attention to the strength women possess,” said Gasper.

Gasper, a third-year college student from Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija, noted that he chose the particular costume as he saw a self reflection of his cause in protecting children and women against any form of abuse.

“It represents the beautiful Mmanwa who fought tirelessly to stop girl child mutilation and child slavery

while the colorful patterns and embellishments portray the African dashiki, which offers a visual appeal and forms meant to invoke the ancestral spirits," said Gasper in a post on his social media account.

The 28-year-old Okpala won the Best in National Costume award during the pageant's grand coronation night on Sunday, December 12 (December 13, Monday morning Manila Time) in Porta of Eilat, Israel.

It was the second time for Gasper to create a costume in a Miss Universe event as he also designed the National Costume for Miss Universe Cameroon Angele Kossinda, whose country made its debut in the 69th prestigious beauty pageant.

For Miss Nigeria, Gasper created the costume with his group composed of Merwin Noque, Jhan Jhan Galutera Ilarde, Win Win Bulusan, Eds Bautista Salvador, Jericho Angelo B. Manuel, Ian Lee Torres Abon, Sam Cristobal, Jenny Ann Miguel, Jovel Angelleah Nocasa, Ron Christian L. Lopez, Bren Mariah, Megoc Nebran and Emz Gerona.

“Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala talaga. Umiiyak ako kanina habang kayakap si mama ..thank you sa lahat ng mga bumati (I cannot believe it. I was crying a while ago while embracing Mama. Thank you to all those who greeted me),” said Gasper.

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