Gabbi Carballo brings ‘Sinulog’ to Miss Eco International 2026 in Egypt

May 21 ------ Cebuana beauty queen Gabriella “Gabbi” Carballo referenced the religious Cebuano festival “Sinulog” at the Miss Eco International 2026 pageant in Egypt. The practicing medical doctor brought her devotion to the Santo Niño on the global stage when she showcased a Sinulog-inspired creation by designer Kenneth Malayka Yamas at the pageant’s carnival costume competition held at Rixos Montaza in Alexandria.

“Adorned with cascading roses, bougainvillea, and blooms inspired by Cebu’s mountain towns, this costume is a tribute to the hardworking communities whose flowers fill our city with life and color,” Carballo wrote on social media when she posted photos of her costume. “More than a costume, this is the heart of Cebu—where every dance is a prayer, every flower is a blessing, and every step is a tribute to home,” she added.

The Cebu City-based Carballo earlier pleaded to Filipinos in Alexandria who may have a Santo Niño (Child Jesus) image in their homes in Egypt for her presentation at the competition. At the show, she held humble bouquets of red flowers in each hand instead of the religious image. She failed to enter the Top 5 of the competition, which included the delegates from Peru, Canada, Egypt, Jamaica, and Mexico who eventually topped the costume contest.

The Cebuana delegate also did not secure a placement in the resort wear competition held earlier. She, however, placed second in both the Fitness Day Challenge and Talent Competition. Carballo is on a mission to sustain the Philippines’ impressive placement streak in the Miss Eco International pageant that started in 2018 when Cynthia Thomalla posted the country’s first-ever victory in the global tilt.

She hopes to inherit the title from Ilongga national athlete Alexie Mae Brooks to post a second consecutive win for the Philippines and become the fourth Filipino woman to bring home the crown. Kathleen Paton scored the country’s second win in 2022. The 2026 Miss Eco International pageant’s coronation show will be held at the Presidential Ballroom of Antoniades Palace in Alexandria, Egypt, on May 22 (23 in Manila).

Source: inquirer.net