Behold your #Binibini4 Patrizia Garcia in her Bb. Pilipinas National Costume created by Chico Estiva:

Santo Niño de Tondo
(Notes from the designer)

The costume depicts and is inspired by the image of the Child Jesus, Santo Niño — A double-coned skirt in red with grid and swirl embossed lace detailing in gold, below a body-hugging corset silhouette. The butterfly sleeves made even more dramatic with a framework baculo embedded with gold lace and crystals. A crown, neckpiece and a scepter fashioned out of acrylic and glass crystals complete the entire look.

Santo Niño de Tondo Parish lies at the very heart of Tondo, Manila, which has been a significant part of the Philippine history for centena of generations. The Church is one of the earliest churches established by the Spanish Friars in Luzon, and the image is believed to be the second oldest venerated image of the Child Jesus in the Philippines – a significant symbolism of Filipinos embracing the Catholic Faith.

Claro M. Recto had once wisely observed that: “A people was set apart by its common experiences; a Filipino had no identity without its people’s history.”, advocating the ideal of “deepening the consciousness of a distinctness as a people with its own character and spirit, own customs, traditions, ideals, way of life.” and that “firm belief in the genius of the race and in the capacity of the people for advancement towards the attainment of their destiny.”

It is precisely in our history where those “common experiences”, that “consciousness of a distinctness as a people” can be mined and found — that it is ripe time to re-tell the stories of those brave men of Tondo who shed blood and fought the Spaniards in the Battle of Bangkusay. or how, on July 4, 1946, thousands of Filipinos gathered in Luneta Park amidst the post-war ruins of Manila to witness the American flag being replaced by the raising of the Philippine three stars and sun, and to build upon these in forging a stronger Filipino identity.

One side of the message coming from, and building upon our past, the other looks towards the future, directed towards using our rich past in forging a strong Filipino identity and moving forward in initiating change for the better. Being a “city of extreme contrasts”, it is in Manila where positive change is most stark and hence, most noticeable to the populace. In the most simple of terms, a message originating from Manila is a message that will be heard throughout the Philippine archipelago.

Photography: Raymond Saldaña
Set: Henry Reyes HGR Events and Sabrosas