LOOK: PH's Sophia Nicole Arkanghel wears Manila galleon-inspired costume for Miss International Queen 2024
Sophia Nicole Arkanghel gave a little Philippine history lesson at Miss International Queen 2024.
The Pinay beauty queen walked in the national costume competition of the pageant in Pattaya, Thailand on Aug. 17 donning an outfit inspired by the Galleon Trade.
The costume, designed by Joanne Mendoza, featured a body suit adorned with pearls and an ornate ship-like train that had a hull, helm, sail, and cannons.
According to the local pageant organizer, her costume features pearl details that adore the country's "colorful past" of being called the "Pearl of the Orient."
It added that Sophia's ensemble pays homage to the cultural exchanges during the Galleon Trade, which operated from 1565 to 1815. These Spanish trading ships sailed the Pacific and brought goods like Chinese silk, cotton fabric from India, spices, porcelain, and more between Alcapulco, Mexico and Manila.
The Miss International Queen 2024 coronation night will take place on August 24 at Tiffany's Show in Pattaya, Thailand, where Solange Dekker of the Netherlands will crown her successor.
Sophia is aiming to bring the country's fourth crown, following Fuschia Anne Ravena's win in 2022, Trixie Maristela's in 2015, and Kevin Balot's in 2012.