BAGUIO CITY — In line with the first-ever Baguio Equality Expo, residents from Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTT) were encouraged to submit and compete for the PaDOLLVougean: Baguio NatCos Doll Competition, where dolls were dressed with their designs and exhibited at the Baguio Convention Center.
PaDOLLVougean: Baguio NatCos Competition was made by the Baguio Tourism to promote culture, heritage, and creativity from the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTT) residents while also becoming a way to craft a National Costume for Miss Universe Baguio.
Participants were required to make use of an 11.5-inch (30 cm) doll as their canvas, with their designs either sewn, crafted from recycled materials, or created through experimental techniques.
Their pieces should also remain wearable as doll-sized and life-sized with a one-minute time-lapse of each person showcasing their process in creating their artworks.
Creativity and originality, as well as craftsmanship, are each equivalent to 40%, totalling to 80% while the presentation and overall impact are equal to 20%.
The champion received 9,000 pesos while the 1st runner-up received 7,000 pesos and the 2nd runner-up received 5,000 pesos.
A total of seven individual submissions were delivered at the City Tourism Office and exhibited from June 14 to 15, with the announcement of winners done on the second and last day of the Baguio Equality Expo.
“My inspiration for my competing entry is the city of Baguio wherein, as we are cradled by the majestic mountains and known for its crisp, soothing winds, the city of Baguio is beautifully embodied in this costume. Her skirt mirrors the towering ridges that nurtured her. Inspired by the city’s iconic tourist destination, her skin is adorned with traditional tattoos which is known as the batok or the batek. Each mark [is a] testament of strength, resilience, and pride. Crowning her head is once used to store wine and even the binungor needs. From it flows a cascading Cordilleran tapestry wrapping around her like a protective, echoing the warmth and unity of her people. Accessorized with bungor, each piece tells a story of legacy and adding depth and color to her already rich ensemble.” PaDOLLVoguean Champion Feliciano Miguel Macapagal explained regarding his masterpiece he called “Miguel”.
Macapagal participated in the competition, just as he previously made a costume for Miss BSU last 2019, in hopes to be able to dress one of the candidates eventually.
Events such as this encourage creativity and artistic pride within the Cordillera Administrative Region, ensuring that each is recognized and celebrated. By Dessa Joi Peralta
