Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray paid a visit to the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe in Mindanao, an ethnic group known for its rich traditions and spiritual connection to nature and ancestry. She immersed herself in their world, highlighting their incredible craftsmanship through a social media post, describing their traditional garments, such as beaded blouses and tubular skirts for women, and jackets, trousers, and headcloths for men. Each handwoven piece takes up to two months to complete and serves as a living canvas of cultural identity, featuring symbols like crocodiles, birds, and flowers that tell dreams, epic tales, and ancestral wisdom, connecting the people to their spirit, land, and community. This visit is part of Catriona’s commitment to promoting Filipino heritage and indigenous artistry, using her platform to amplify stories of the unseen and celebrate the rich tapestry of Filipino identity, reminding us that fashion rooted in history and soul is a timeless form of storytelling.
