Filipino Beauty Queen’s Stunning Gown Was Handcrafted By Local Inmates

Most beauty queens employ famous designers to create the gowns they wear in beauty pageants. However, one Filipino beauty queen is being applauded for donning a stunning gown that was handcrafted by inmates from a jail in the Philippines.

Emma Mary Tiglao is currently representing the province of Pampanga in the Philippines at the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas pageant. When it was time to wear her National Costume, Tiglao called on designer Rich Sabinian, who is also from Pampanga. Interestingly, Tiglao and Sabinian didn’t need an army of seamstresses to create the gown. Instead, the fabric used for the amazing dress was woven by inmates from the Angeles District Jail Male Dorm.

The awesome fabric for this gorgeous gown was woven by inmates.

The inmates used a traditional weaving technique called “solihiya” to craft the fabric for the gown. Not surprisingly, the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) resident basket weavers did a wonderful job at creating the fabric.

According to Sabinian, the gown is called “Fe Esperanza Caridad” which means “Faith, Hope, and Charity.” The name truly represents the work put into the gorgeous gown and symbolizes the rich culture and heritage of the province.

The official BJMP Angeles District Jail Facebook page shared photos of Tiglao and Sabinian visiting the inmates as they worked on the fabric. It is easy to see that the two are impressed with the basket weavers’ handiwork.

Tiglao and Sabinian pose with the basket weavers and their handiwork.

A closer look at the fabric for Tiglao’s gown.

Tiglao proudly wore the Filipiniana gown for a photo shoot for Binibining Pilipinas. She’s also expected to don it again at the upcoming National Costume Fashion Show on May 29.

Binibining Pilipinas 2019 will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines on June 9, 2019. The winners of the beauty pageant will then go on to represent the country for the upcoming Miss Universe 2019 and Miss International 2019.