Miss U Fashion show in Davao is cancelled, says DOT

Kat De Castro’s Facebook post (Photo from Kat De Castro’s Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines—Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Kat de Castro cancelled the Miss Universe Fashion show in Davao due to controversies and criticism from the local designers of the town.

De Castro said on her Facebook account last Wednesday:

“As head of the ancillary events of the DOT for Miss Universe, I have decided to cancel the fashion show in Davao City. This is to prevent controversies that may arise from the statement made by the local designers of Davao City. Thank you very much.”

The fashion show was said to be held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on January 19 but the DOT Undersecretary cancelled the event to avoid controversies.

Last Tuesday, December 13, the hosting committee of the pageant was said to be criticized by the Davao Fashion and Design Council Foundation, Inc. (DFDCFI) after the DOT assigned Renee Salud, a “Non-Mindanaoan” designer, to dress up the candidates.

“Call it proper and befitting, the Mindanaoan designers have all the rights and benefits to best represent the distinctive fashion and style of Mindanao, in the first place,” DFDCFI was quoted as saying in an Inquirer.net report.

The group added that they felt insulted with the decision of the committee.

The DOT Undersecretary De Castro was supposed to meet the press once she arrived in Cebu City.