LOOK: PH's Markki Stroem dazzles in Tikbalang-inspired national costume for Mister Universe 2024
Filipino actor and singer Markki Stroem, who is also representing the Philippines in Mister Universe 2024, stunned in his national costume photoshoot wearing a Tikbalang-inspired ensemble.
On Instagram, Stroem shared a glimpse of the costume made by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena. It features a gold horse head, bag, gold arm and wrist cuffs, and wings depicting a tree. He even wears knee-high boots that resemble the feet of a horse.
According to Stroem, this costume is a masculine version of Paulo Ballesteros' Tikbalang costume, which Graciella Lehmann wore during the Binibining Pilipinas 2022. Out of 40 hopefuls, it won Best in National Costume.
"In Philippine folklore, the [Tikbalang] is said to lurk in the rainforests of the Philippines. It is a half-human, half-horse, with a head and hooves of a horse. Tikbalangs scare travelers, lead them astray and play tricks on them to get lost forever in the Philippine rainforests that they inhabit," Stroem wrote in the caption.
More than the aesthetic, Stroem ensured that his costume relayed a message, saying that his "version of the Tikbalang has joined forces with Mother Nature to take down illegal loggers and land grabbers."
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Stroem revealed that he was appointed by the organization to represent the country.
"I have hosted a slew of pageants, judged more than a handful, even provided swimwear for one. I realized I have actually never joined a pageant?" he said.
Stroem added, "So, I decided to give it one last hurrah. Time to see how far experience and a whole lot of passion can take me."
The pageant's coronation night will be on December 23 (PH Time) at the AVALON Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, featuring 48 delegates across the globe.
Before joining the pageant, the 37-year-old Fil-Norwegian actor was one of the finalists in Season 1 of Pilipinas Got Talent in 2010.
He also portrayed some roles in various films, including Slumber Party, 10,000 Hours, Halik Sa Hangin, I Love You, Hater, and Lolo and the Kid.
Stroem is also a theater actor who made his mark on stage, starring in hit musicals like Camp Rock: The Musical, Carrie: The Musical, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Jersey Boys, and Mula Sa Buwan.
