The National Costume Show of Miss Universe 2016 took place on Jan. 26, Thursday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It has no bearing on the final score unlike the swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
Among the 86 candidates of Miss Universe 2016, Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun, 24, was one of those who received the loudest cheer. Wearing a model theater stage on her back, Htun surprised the audience when she revealed herself to be a puppet on strings, which Myanmar is known for.
Apparently, the crowd loved how Htun acted like a marionette. Her performance was so good that Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran commented about it. The second Filipino crowned Miss Universe told ABS-CBN News, "Myanmar was so original."
Still, Moran named Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina as one of the contestants to win Miss Universe 2016. The former said the latter projected very well in her national costume and the long gown.
While Medina unsurprising is getting all the support that she needs, Htun did not have enough resources and support. Because of this, Miss Myanmar had to personally train herself in the rules of pageantry and modelling.
Htun told the same publication that she wanted to show that she could do it and she believed in herself. For her, she can do it if she really wanted.
"Now I'm here, I'm Miss Myanmar," Htun said. "I can represent my country. I can prove to my family, to my country, also all over the world, I can do it."
In 2014, Htet competed at Miss Myanmar World but only placed second runner-up. The Burmese beauty queen, who is also an actress and a TV host, also owns an event management company and conducts DJ classes for beginner students.
Watch the National Costume Show of Miss Universe 2016 here: