Marquez's "aswang" costume divides fans at Philippines pageant

Winwyn Marquez's "aswang"-inspired national costume for the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 preliminary competition has sparked significant controversy among pageant fans and online. The actress's costume, inspired by her mother's 1992 horror film "Aswang," features a red body-hugging suit with gold sequins and a creature resembling an aswang. The design aims to reflect the terrifying shape-shifting nature of the mythical creature. Marquez, who has already won nine special awards, will compete in the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 grand coronation tonight, May 2, with the winner representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this November.