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At the 74th Miss Universe preliminaries in Thailand, Ahtisa Manalo walked out in Mak Tumang’s “Pincata” as if rising from the tide itself. Inspired by the Pinctada maxima, the gown, styled with the help of PattyYap, emphasized the soft gold gleam and pearl-born glow of the sea.
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South sea pearl hues traced her silhouette, catching light like sun rays slipping beneath the water’s surface. The beads mimicked moving droplets, and the panels occurred like a wave breaking on the coast.
“Pincata” – Tumang’s poetic spin on the South Sea pearl oyster that inspired the gown – shimmered with textures reminiscent of coral lace and seafloor minerals, creating a natural brilliance. On stage, it moved with the power of a pearl ascending from the deep.
In Bangkok, for a moment, Ahtisa Manalo became a piece of ocean light, polished by time, lifted by tide, and ready to shine.
Photos: MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES (via Instagram)
