PHILIPPINES WINS NAT'L COSTUME

STEVE Harvey did it again. But this time, he was right.

The viewers of Miss Universe 2019 were transported back to 2015 when he mistakenly announced the winner.

He announced, and was also shown on the screen that the winner of the best national costume was Miss Philippines Gazini Ganados.

However, onstage wearing her national costume was Miss Malaysia Shweta Sekhon.

The announcement of the winner of the best in national costume was done after revealing the top 10 contestants.

“Earlier this week, all the contestants competed in a National Costume contest. Here’s the look at the winner, Philippines.” Harvey said.

However, Miss Malaysia showed up instead of Miss Philippines, who then corrected Harvey.

“It’s not Philippines, it’s Malaysia.”

Harvey immediately clarified that he just read what was written in the teleprompter.

“Well... let me explain something to you. I just read that in a teleprompter. You all quit doing this to me. I can read this. They are trying to fix it now. This is what they did to me back in 2015.”

Two hours after the event concluded, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) clarified that in fact, Steve Harvey was right. “@IAmSteveHarvey had it right: Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados is the winner of the #MissUniverse2019 National Costume competition! Congratulations, Gazini,” MUO tweeted.

Gazini wore a Philippine Eagle-inspired national costume by Cebu-based designer Cary Santiago wherein she sashayed the prelims stage imitating the abrupt neck movements of the country’s national bird.

Santiago said he was not expecting to win. He designed the gown out of love and passion. Win or lose, he made the gown for the Philippines and for Gazini.

He added that Gazini wore it with grace and he is happy about it.

It is the second time the country won best in national costume, however, this time, the recognition was postevent. Charlene Gonzales first won best in national costume in 1994 when the country hosted the pageant.

Gonzales’ winning costume was a Bagobo and Higan-on-inspired emsemble by the late Fashion Czar of Asia Pitoy Moreno.