Katrina Anne Johnson fuses PH, Japan looks in Miss International 2026 costume

From her gown’s butterfly sleeves to her wide obi sash belt, Binibining Pilipinas International Katrina Anne Johnson was a vision of two cultures fused together by their shared history at the 2026 Miss International’s national costume presentation in in Yamanashi, Japan on Saturday, November 14.

The pharmacist from Davao wore a creation by renowned fashion designer Manny Halasan which featured a champaign-colored gown that looked like a cross between a Filipiniana gown with its distinctive butterfly sleeves and a Japanese kimono with its wide obi sash and large ribbon at the back.

READ: Katrina Johnson nixes idea of Miss International ‘archetype’

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A closer look at Halasan’s gown showed a two-layer skirt and a trail adorned with intricate intertwining symbols of Filipino and Japanese cultures — the heavy use of pearl beads and capiz with Japan’s gold fusa beads and tassels; intricate abaca and piña overlay over shimenawa fabric; sampaguita and sakura appliques in varying sizes and colors; gold headpiece and jewelries and a gilded Japanese lantern; the Nisshoki (rising sun) design at the back, just above the Philippines’ own three stars and sun design.

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Johnson, who is Filipino-American by blood, but with looks that could be mistaken as that of a Japanese woman, successfully combined all these elements into a one cohesive fashion statement in honor of the host country and her own heritage, and which Halasan called “Buklod” (unity).

“For my national costume, I wanted to tell a story that belongs to both home and host. [Japan map emoji] BUKLOD, meaning unity, is a tribute to the beauty of our distinct cultures and the friendship nurtured through 70 years of shared history,” Johnson posted on Instagram, as she shared a carousel of images of her wearing the costume.

Back home in the Philippines, Johnson had earlier attended the celebration marking 70 years of friendship between the Phlippines and Japan. She also paid a courtesy visit on Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kitagawa Katsuro before flying to Japan for the pageant.

In a separate post, Halasan said he used piña callado hand-embroidered by artisans from Laguna for the costume, that featured both sampaguita and sakura flower details. He also employed Bulacan’s traditional “Puni” weaving and added Filipino ornaments.

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The official Philippines–Japan Friendship 70th Anniversary logo is prominently displayed on the costume’s train, intricately embellished with Swarovski crystals and rhinestones. Johnson carried a Japanse Chōchin lantern to complete the look.

Johnson noted that abaca is the Philippines’ first export to Japan.

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“To wear a piece of my home while honoring the country that has so wonderfully welcomed us here is such a privilege [teary-eyed emoji]. Here’s to seventy years of friendship, and to the many more we have yet to share,” she said.

Johnson also received the Miss Visit Japan award at the 2026 Miss International Welcome Party, held earlier at the Professional University of Beauty and Wellness in Yokohama.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome to Japan [black heart emoji] Very grateful for all the warmth Nihon has shown this Filipina thus far [Philippine flage emoji][Japan flag emoji],” she said.

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Johnson will try to score the Philippines’ seventh Miss International victory at the Final Gala that will be held at the Kanadevia Hall (formerly Tokyo Dome City Hall) in Tokyo on Nov. 25. /edv