LIGEN FELLER is representing her hometown of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines in the Mrs Philippines Arizona 2022 Beauty Pageant, an event organized by the Filipino American community in Arizona. She is shown in her Black Nazarene-inspired National Costume during the pre-pageant competition as part of the 124th Philippine Independence Day Celebration.
Inspired by the faithful devotees of the Black Nazarene from her hometown of Cagayan de Oro City, she designed herself her National Costume gown which she describes as follows: “The image of the Black Nazarene is always dressed in a heavy velvet tunic of maroon, embroidered with floral and plant emblems in gold thread, and trimmed with a matching set of white lace collar and cuffs. Around the waist is a gold-plated metal belt embossed with the word “NAZARENO”, while a golden chain ending in spheres is looped around the neck and held in the left hand, representing the Scourging.” The three rays in her head dress represents divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from the original image with a realistic twist of the Filipino – Americans that are currently living in Arizona. Lastly, Ligen has interpreted the golden chain of scourging in the original image with a more personalized and colorful representation of the last 22 years of her life in America.
The coronation is set in July 2022.
photos by Ty Ng