Bill requiring pageant contestants to wear Filipino-made gowns proposed in Congress

Miss Universe – Philippines 2015 MJ Lastimosa (Facebook photo)

MANILA — Paranaque City Representative Eric L. Olivarez recently filed a bill requiring Filipino beauty queens to wear gowns designed by homegrown designers.

Through House Bill 5691 or “Filipino Fashion Designers for Filipino beauty Pageants Contestants Act of 2015,” only Filipino fashion designers will be allowed to design garments, dresses and costumes for Filipino beauty pageant contestants.

It will also require all franchise holders, talent handlers and pageant organizers to hire Filipino fashion designers in creating gowns and outfits for the contestants.

The bill also requires all the designs to be reflective of the Filipino culture.

Olivarez said that while foreign nationals may participate in the design process by assisting Filipino designers, it is a requirement that a Filipino designer should be the head of the design team.

“The measure also aims to facilitate greater coordination among fashion designers in the country with the help of the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) as well as to require local franchise holders and other institutions of beauty pageants to standardize the recruitment of fashion designers to be strictly Filipino,” he said.