Filipino designer Mak Tumang discusses his viral creations for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray | ABS-CBN

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Filipino designer Mak Tumang discusses his viral creations for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Filipino designer Mak Tumang discusses his viral creations for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Paulea Benoza

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Simultaneous with Catriona Gray’s recent victory as Miss Universe 2018 is Mak Tumang’s rise as one of the most sensational Filipino designers, having made the beauty queen’s iconic Ibong Adarna and Mayon Volcano-inspired gowns that sent her flaming down the runway twice.

In an interview with ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo, Mak revealed that a third creation was supposed to be worn by Catriona for the preliminary competition.

“Supposedly, it was a preliminary option. Dapat gagamitin siya sa Thai night, kaso that night, ginamit ‘yung mga Thai designers,” said the designer in relation to the candidates’ pre-pageant celebration of Thai Night, wherein the Filipina-Australian beauty ended up wearing a violet Thai silk creation by designer Asava.

During the finals night, Mak shared that he was overwhelmed with emotions seeing Catriona slay his gown in front of an international audience.

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“Very, very happy. ‘Di pa rin makapaniwala hanggang ngayon. Nakakaiyak. I cried. Even my mom cried, actually, and all of my friends,” confessed the designer.

ADARNA: The Blazing Siren The 'Ibong Adarna' is a mythological pulchritudinous bird that could change in several fascinating guises. Its enchanting voice can enable complete healing to anyone who hears it. Some artists liken it to the mythological Phoenix where it recurrently regenerates itself by arising amidst a spectacle of flames and candescence. This makes it a fitting symbol of resilience, rising and rebirth. Catriona has a resilient, tenacious and unwavering spirit. Her voice is truly captivating literally and figuratively. She uses it to influence, advance her timely causes and both melt and heal hearts. Her will-power and burning passion drive her to make every Filipino proud in whatever she does. She is the blazing Adarna! Watch her rise in glory along with our hopes and dreams for our beloved country: the Philippines! Inspired from the Philippine Adarna Bird, Phoenix & Mikimoto Crown #MissUniverse2018 #Philippines #PreliminaryGown

A post shared by Mak Tumang (@maktumang) on

ADARNA: The Blazing Siren The 'Ibong Adarna' is a mythological pulchritudinous bird that could change in several fascinating guises. Its enchanting voice can enable complete healing to anyone who hears it. Some artists liken it to the mythological Phoenix where it recurrently regenerates itself by arising amidst a spectacle of flames and candescence. This makes it a fitting symbol of resilience, rising and rebirth. Catriona has a resilient, tenacious and unwavering spirit. Her voice is truly captivating literally and figuratively. She uses it to influence, advance her timely causes and both melt and heal hearts. Her will-power and burning passion drive her to make every Filipino proud in whatever she does. She is the blazing Adarna! Watch her rise in glory along with our hopes and dreams for our beloved country: the Philippines! Inspired from the Philippine Adarna Bird, Phoenix & Mikimoto Crown #MissUniverse2018 #Philippines #PreliminaryGown

A post shared by Mak Tumang (@maktumang) on

While it was Catriona who he said wanted a red outfit, the idea of a gown inspired from Mayon Volcano – a famous landmark in her home town, Albay, Bicol – was originally Mak’s, which says a lot about his creative flair.

“She asked me to do a red gown talaga. So I sketched three red gowns, then I thought, ‘What element is associated with red?’ So, I thought of lava, and then I connected it to the Mayon Volcano as inspiration. Nung binubuo ko, I was planning to hide it from her. I wanted to execute it secretly, and then present it kapag malapit na ‘yung [pageant]. Pero, I was so excited, sinend ko right away ‘yung concept,” shared Mak.

MAYON: Fiery and Lovely Perfection Today, Catriona is coming home. She is celebrating her roots – she is celebrating Albay! The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation. It is dubbed as the ‘perfect cone’ because of its symmetric conical form. Folk tales have it that it was named after the mythological heroine ‘Daragang Magayon’ (Beautiful Lady). Despite its pulchritude is the fact that it is the most active volcano in the Philippines erupting numerous times in the past half a millennium. Catriona can be considered as the modern-day Daragang Magayon. She embodies the Filipina’s beauty, intelligence and burning passion. This lady is definitely on fire! Watch her erupt right before your very eyes and let the lava of grace, goodness and hope flow.

A post shared by Mak Tumang (@maktumang) on

MAYON: Fiery and Lovely Perfection Today, Catriona is coming home. She is celebrating her roots – she is celebrating Albay! The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation. It is dubbed as the ‘perfect cone’ because of its symmetric conical form. Folk tales have it that it was named after the mythological heroine ‘Daragang Magayon’ (Beautiful Lady). Despite its pulchritude is the fact that it is the most active volcano in the Philippines erupting numerous times in the past half a millennium. Catriona can be considered as the modern-day Daragang Magayon. She embodies the Filipina’s beauty, intelligence and burning passion. This lady is definitely on fire! Watch her erupt right before your very eyes and let the lava of grace, goodness and hope flow.

A post shared by Mak Tumang (@maktumang) on

MAYON: Fiery and Lovely Perfection Today, Catriona is coming home. She is celebrating her roots – she is celebrating Albay! The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation. It is dubbed as the ‘perfect cone’ because of its symmetric conical form. Folk tales have it that it was named after the mythological heroine ‘Daragang Magayon’ (Beautiful Lady). Despite its pulchritude is the fact that it is the most active volcano in the Philippines erupting numerous times in the past half a millennium. Catriona can be considered as the modern-day Daragang Magayon. She embodies the Filipina’s beauty, intelligence and burning passion. This lady is definitely on fire! Watch her erupt right before your very eyes and let the lava of grace, goodness and hope flow.

A post shared by Mak Tumang (@maktumang) on

Mak, who went with Catriona to Bangkok, Thailand for the pageant, said that he has received a lot of positive feedbacks from his friends with regard to his masterpieces.

Of his experience working with the 24-year-old beauty queen, the designer said, “Cat is very passionate, very hardworking, very sincere siya sa [ginagawa] niya. ‘Yung aesthetic ko, nakikita ko talaga sa kanya. Ako rin [kasi] as an artist very passionate and artistic, [so] parang nagja-jive kami talaga.”

Catriona is the fourth Filipina to win the crown after Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran, and Gloria Diaz, who won in 2015, 1973, and 1969, respectively. She succeeded Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.

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