(Some) Guys watch football/soccer and many other sports for entertainment and they like to say "Girls don't do that". Well, you're wrong, because I watch PAGEANT. Oh!? You don't think the pageant is similar to sports? Hear me out. It's so internationally competitive and undeniably entertaining.
Just yesterday as I was idly chilling at home, watching something. The most random idea that is super out of my comfort zone came up and I said hmm I want to write a blog about my opinion and review on a pageant. This round of the "National Costume Competition of Miss Grand International 2023" is interesting to see the "Uniqueness" of every country and let's see if (the contestant of)your country/made it to my list.
Disclaimer: All SOURCES; the photos and some of the information are from
MGI's official website >> https://missgrandinternational.com/
MGI's official Facebook >> https://www.facebook.com/MISSGRANDINTERNATIONAL/
What is Miss Grand International?
Miss Grand International (MGI) Pageant is a world-class center of creativity and entertainment, looking for a beauty queen from all over the world to become "Miss Grand International". The winner be the leader in the international beauty pageant arena, and expanding branding internationally. Interestingly, MGI is the fastest growing beauty pageant and that's also why I started watching it.
Let's get into my first time ever recapping a beauty pageant. Here are "my personal top 10" BEST National Costumes. Each country came up with its best creativity to create and perform the uniqueness through the costume. I've always liked this round since I get to watch all the countries show their best. So, here we go! Top 10 in alphabetical order.
1. BRAZIL: “HEAVENLY JAGUAR”
Adriana Yanca
It is a mythological creature from Tupi-Guarani Folklore, similar to a jaguar. She is often represented by a blue jaguar, for the Tupi-Guaranis she is responsible for solar and lunar eclipses.
Brazil is the first country that caught my eye. The costume was sooooooo beautiful and Adriana did a great presentation by presenting herself as a Jaguar on a stage. I love that the headpiece can be opened in a way that's easy to carry. The cloud(?) behind her, I believe it's to symbolize the sky and the moon. Very beautiful!
2. EL SALVADOR : “Indio Atlacat”
Fatima Calderon
The costume is inspired by Atlacat who led the indigenous people into battles with his bow and arrow against the Spanish invasion by Pedro de Alvarado. The name comes from Atakat the Nahuatl language and means "Human being of water." To this day, his heroism remains alive in the oral tradition. His domains occupied a large part of the current territory of El Salvador.
Not only that the color scheme on this costume obviously stands out, but also her performance in this costume as the strong brave indigenous people. I love that this costume told the history of the country and honored the national hero through Fatima's attitude on this.
3. GIBRALTAR: “The Rock of Gibraltar”
Jaylynn Cruz
Just like the Rock itself, the Gibraltarian Silene Tomentosa flower can be found nowhere else on Earth, a testament to the distinctiveness of my tiny territory of Gibraltar. Its vibrant purple blooms mirror our resilience and pride, embodying the remarkable spirit that sets us apart on the world stage. Just as there is no place quite like Gibraltar, there is no flower quite like the Silene tomentosa
As unique and beautiful as the Gibraltarian Silene Tomentosa is, Jaylynn did a great job of presenting this costume. The pink and purple look so good on her and she used the pedals on both her arms to post and flourish for everyone on stage. Her face with this makeup is flawless. As I watched it, I was like, I wanna get that costume. Even though I know I'm too fat to wear that. 😂
4. HONDURAS: “The treasures of the virgin of suyapa queen of Honduras”
Britthany Marroquin
'Queen of Honduras' Since 1747, the queen of Suyapa has become the miraculous Lady of Honduras. The national costume is inspired by all tesserae's of the temple Basilica. In the suit, there is a stylized recreation of their wardrobe that each year covers her beauty during her processions. In the upper part of the suit, there is a royal crown and splendor that is strengthened with the cross of the Body of Christ. In the interior, a modernist architecture we show the arches, altars, and stained glass.
Do I even need to say it!? The costume is S-TUN-NING! with all those details that they put in there. Though at first I felt like it was too much for a costume and I felt bad for Britthany to have to carry it, on stage, she carried the costume and herself very elegantly and I had to bow down to the queen and put it on my list.
5. MEXICO : “GOD OF DEATH”
María Fernanda Beltrán
The deity of the hunt, Mixcoatl, among the major Aztec gods, has quite a complex history in mythic storytelling. This has to do in part with the shared origins of Mixcoatl, who was also known as Camaxtli (roughly translated as 'without deer sandals') and was revered in earlier and contemporary Mesoamerican cultures such as the Otomi, Chichimeca, and Toltec. Most of these cultures, along with the Aztecs, also tended to associate the lord of the hunt with the Milky Way, the stars, and the heavens.
COME THRU!! god of death. As I watched some movies about Mexican culture about death, I was kinda heard of this concept before, so it's not that hard to understand it. I especially love how María presented with such a strong attitude and energy. Just by few seconds, the audience can feel how ready she is to win this crown, which is exactly what I looked for in the beauty pageant.
Looks like that's all the space that I have for the post today. I'll continue the other 5 countries that I listed in my Top 10 tomorrow. If your country hasn't been here yet, you might see it in the next one. So, please stay tuned and share your thoughts if you agree or even disagree with me. It'll be fun to talk about it.
By the way, Miss Grand International 2023 Preliminary was just on tonight. Check them out on their official website, guys.
Lastly, stay true to your roots and keep showing it to the world, guys!
Khob khun kaa,
Nomnomnoodle 🍜