This year’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) competition, called the “Puksaan (annihilation) Edition,” was indeed a bloodbath. No wonder then that the national costume showcase, held at Okada Manila on 30 April, was just as blood-curdling.

For its National Costume segment, the theme centered on the characters and creatures of Philippine folklore and mythology. Give any project brief to the Filipino creative, and you get artistry that’s preternatural and otherworldly — the more outrageous, the more astonishing; the more macabre, the more marvelous.

It was hardly a surprise that some of the best national costume designers also came out to join the fray. Axel Que, who created the breathtaking “Bakunawa” costume for Beatrice Luigi Gomez on her way to a top five finish at Miss Universe 2021, made the costumes for MUPh Bohol and MUPh Oriental Mindoro.

Edwin Uy, perhaps the most decorated national costume designer of them all, started his winning streak in 2012 with his Ifugao-Inspired dress, which was worn by Nicole Schmitz and won the Best in National Costume at the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant. In 2014, he won his first international Best National Costume award with an ensemble worn by Hilarie Parungao at Miss World. In 2015, Uy won for the Philippines three Best National Costume awards: At Mister International, worn by Reniel Villareal; at Miss Scuba International, worn by Cindy Madduma, who also won the title; and at Miss Grand International, worn by Parul Shah.

In 2016, CJ Hirro won Best in National Costume at Miss Global. Uy’s “Pintados” creation placed in the Top Three National Costumes at the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017, worn by title holder Wynwin Marquez. He won Best National Costume, worn by Mister Philippines Daumier Corilla at Manhunt International 2020.

Ehrran Montoya, who won Best National Costume at MUPh 2024, worn by Jet Hammond of Southern California, also made the national costume for Dia Mate on her way to winning the Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 title. His trilogy of costumes was worn by MUPh Benguet, MUPh Quezon Province and MUPh Siniloan, Laguna, at the 2025 MUPh.

Kennedy Jhon Gasper won Best National Costume at Miss Universe 2021 for his “Mmanwu,” worn by Miss Nigeria. This year, he created the costume for MUPh Isabela.

At Miss Universe 2024, Manny Halasan won the award for his “Hiraya” costume, worn by Chelsea Manalo. This year, he created a costume for another Bulakenya.

Patrick Isorena collaborated with Miss Texas R’Bonney Gabriel for her award-winning state costume at Miss USA 2022. On her way to winning Miss Universe 2022, she also wore Isorena’s creation, “Woman on the Moon.” This year, he made the costumes for MUPh Caloocan, Manila and Liliw, Laguna.

“Maraming nagsasabi na Halloween/scary ang costumes ng MUPh this year (Many said that the costumes of MUPh this year are Halloween/scary). The girls were given a theme of Filipino mythical creatures. Our stories of horror, fantasy and magical creatures came from our ancestors at nakatatanda. We, costume designers, took inspirations from those stories and made it come to life. Let’s appreciate our diverse culture. Also, let your kids know na mayroong istorya ng that we have stories of) tyanak, walo, engkanto, diwata, dyosa, tikbalang, santelmo at marami pang iba (and many others),” stated Isorena in a Facebook post.

After the coronation night on 2 May at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the five Best in National Costume winners were announced. Caloocan’s Allyson Mei Ee won first place for her “Walo” costume by Isorena, followed by Ifugao’s Valerie Claire West for her “Enkanto” costume by Renel Suarez. Third place went to Iloilo’s Angeline Cordero Kailani for her “Santelmo” costume by Ruffy Itaas. At fourth place was Sultan Kudarat’s Chelsea Fernandez for her Princess Lawanen-inspired costume by Jearson C. Demaviva, and fifth place went to Baguio’s Gwendoline Meliz Soriano for her “Lampong” costume by Jorick Lopez Limpag.

Here are the creations by the country’s most award-winning costume designers: