THE runway is ready and Cebu is all in for the Binibining Cebu Swimwear and Long Gown Competition. The beauty pageant is on its second year, and the organization behind the competition is ready to up its game, making this year’s Binibining Cebu even more flamboyant than the previous one. The much awaited event is happening on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. in The Tent at Mandani Bay.
This year, Binibining Cebu stays true to its goal of showcasing the beauty of the region and will continue to spread the word about Cebu’s diversity in the arts. Staying true to authentic Cebuano art, 18 of Cebu’s top fashion designers will be dressing up 54 beautiful Cebuanas for the Long Gown Competition. These designers from the Fashion Association of Cebu’s Elite Talents (Facets) will be creating the long gowns, inspired by the festive spirit of the Cebuano people.
Facets was founded by Dr. Mary Felma Auza-Aliño, the fashion design coordinator of the University of San Carlos. The organization was created to help improve the local fashion industry with the goal of establishing an annual Cebu Fashion Week. It also aims to showcase Cebu as the ideal fashion design hub for exhibits and research for the improvement of the fashion design community in the region.
The 18 designers who will be designing the elegant long gowns for the contestants are Pearl Arandia, John Arellano, Roxanne Barroquillo, Nino Benito, Celine Borromeo, JP Cabigon, Carol Escasinas, Lian Lacandalo, Clieza Mayol, Hannah Noel, Eyla Orais, Jeph Polancos, Shayne Remoreras, Paco Serafica, Matthia Tangoan, Jan Tiong, Stef Tirado and Diane Ty.
“We are thrilled to be tying up with the young designers of Facets as well as Kym Maitland-Smith who advocates sustainable fashion and are privileged to provide a platform that will further put the spotlight on the different faces, places and creative talents of Cebu,” said Binibining Cebu pageant chairperson and world-renowned master couturier Cary Santiago.
Immediately after the Long Gown Competition, Binibining Cebu candidates will heat up the runway in fashionable swimwear, wearing Solti Activewear. These are pieces with fabrics upcycled from discarded textiles carefully cut and sewn by Cebuano hands. The organization continues its partnership with Maitland-Smith’s Solti Activewear and once again it will be the pageant’s official swimwear for the second year in a row.
The Long Gown and Swimsuit Competition will each comprise 30 percent of the pre-pageant scores which will determine the Top 20 Finalists during the Coronation Night on Oct. 19 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.