TOURISM: Yangon hosts the country’s biggest international beauty pageant

The women representing 80 countries gathered at the Gandamar Ballroom to showcase their national costumes as part of the ongoing Miss Grand International Pageant, one of the biggest international events hosted by Myanmar, so far.

Contestants from around the world strutted on stage with their flawless costumes to the delight of the large audience who braved long queues to get a seat for the event. The contestants did not fail to captivate the audience, who cheered whenever they saw a costume that they really liked.

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The crowd roared its approval when Miss Myanmar Su Myat Phoo, took to the stage wearing a big black costume that appeared almost too heavy for the 22-year-old contestant from Nay Pyi Taw.

“It was not heavy for me as I work out in the gym,” the bubbly Myanmar beauty told to the media with a big laugh.

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“For someone smaller than me the costume might be heavy. Having said that, my shoulders and feet were sore as I had to wear the costume throughout the show. I was not bothered by the soreness because I was so proud of representing the country.”

Kachin designer Lazing Gam Htoi created the costume with a theme to represent the lighting festival of Myanmar, popularly known as Thadingyut Festival, held on the full moon of October every year. In the costume, the designer incorporated trolley toy, a canvas curtain, three paper lanterns, and other things used to celebrate the festival.

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If Su Myat Phoo was nervous about the complicated costume, she did not show it. The costume required her to pull a trigger to release the three hot air balloons to symbolise every Myanmar citizen’s dream of ending the decades old strife that persists in some parts of the country.  Thankfully, she performed the feat without any  incident.

“It is all the brilliant ideas by Lazing Gam Htoi” she said.

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“All the costumes were amazing and beautiful. I didn’t hope for anything. I am satisfied that I am here to be able to represent our country in this competition.”

Myanmar was the only country that showcased such an elaborate costume . The audience was so impressed by the message that they broke into a big round of applause.

Voting for the Best National Costume Award started on October 12 and will conclude today at 6:30pm.

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The 20 best national costumes will be selected by the judges. After the results of the Top 20 National Costumes are announced, the judges will pick only fove national costumes that received the highest scores from the votes of all the judges.

The winner of Best National Costume Award will be announced at the final show on October 25.

Aside from the national costume competition, the ladies will also compete for the best evening gown and best swimsuit awards, in which the winner of this year’s Miss Grand International will also be proclaimed.

The main event will be held in One Entertainment Park.