GALLERY: Miss Grand Philippines 2025 candidates pay homage to Pinoy pop culture icons with their national costumes

Miss Grand Philippines 2025 is well underway, and the preliminary competitions, held on Aug. 17, celebrated Filipino creativity through the national costume segment. 

This year, the 29 candidates stepped on stage as living, breathing tributes to the nation's pop culture. 

The costumes took pageant fans on a trip down memory lane, with designs that paid homage to beloved Filipino icons and everyday life, including Pinoy comic book characters Darna, Zsazsa Zaturnnah, and Dyesebel, as well as Pinoy figures like Manny Pacquiao, MJ Lastimosa, Jolina Magdangal, and more. 

The top 6 candidates from the National Costume portion were recognized, including Anita Rose Gomez (Zambales), who paid tribute to the 1988 film Super Inday and the Golden Bibe, Michelle Arceo (Taguig City), who donned a Zsazsa Zaturnnah reveal costume, and Nikki Buenafe Cheve (Quezon City), who humorously channeled Pinoy sorbetes eleganza. 

It also includes Emma Mary Tiglao (Pampanga), who paid homage to her city as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, Alyssa Geronimo (Nueva Ecija), who donned a karaoke-inspired creation, and Angelica Joy Flores (Pangasinan), who showcased the Bangus Festival with a twist. 

The delegates also walked the runway for the swimsuit and evening gown competition during the preliminaries.

Take a look at the delegates' national costumes below.