Bb. Pilipinas judge explains the viral outfit he wore was inspired by Mindanao clothing
Slay Model Management director Cecilio Asuncion has taken to social media to give context to his viral outfit during Bb. Pilipinas 2022.
The multihyphenate was one of the judges during the pageant's coronation night on July 31, wherein he wore a Barong Tagalog matched with a what appears to be a pair of shorts. Netizens soon flocked to the Bb. Pilipinas' Facebook page to comment on Asuncion's outfit choice.
Via Instagram Stories, the director shared that his outfit was actually inspired by Mindanao culture and clothing.
"Matuto tayong mahalin ang Taglog. Parte ito ng kultura natin at dapat hindi ikahiya," he began. "Sa lahat ng nagtatanong bakit ako naka-shorts, ito ay dahil pinili kong magsuot ng gawa ng Pinoy na designer na si Avel Bacudio na mula sa tela na galing sa Mindanao. At ang bag ko naman ay gawa ni Zarah Juan."
"Sa mga bumabatikos sa pagpili ko ng suot ko, sana magsumikap kayo at balang araw, ma-invite rin kayong mag-judge," he added.
Asuncion went on to praise social media personality and contestant #8, Herlene Nicole Budol, for being the lone beauty queen who answered the Q&A segment in full Filipino.
His designer, Avel Bacudio, then shared a sample of their inspiration behind Asuncion's outfit, which was the men of Mindanao's Bagobo tribe. The Bagobo are considered a colorful culture, as their clothing is often donned with metal craft, beads, and intricate stitchwork.
