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From 'Pilapil Walk' to 'Lava

Walk': A look at signature


walks of PH beauty queens

Here's a rundown of the signature walks the Pinay beauty queens have showcased on the biggest
pageant in the world. GGV and Vogue Thailand
It was just a twirl and there's still the main competition to go, but when local pageant enthusiasts look
back to reflect on Catriona Gray's performance, this may be among the moments that define her quest
for the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown.

The much-talked about slow-mo spin came at the swimsuit round of the Miss Universe preliminaries
this Thursday night.

She already had this undeniably confident flair to her as she strutted along the runway. But when she
made it look like the live stream stuttered for a second, one could almost hear the eruption of
applause and cheers from her Filipino fans.

 READ: Catriona Gray’s ‘slow-mo twirl’ in Miss Universe prelims captivates fans
 READ: ‘A very slow process’: Catriona Gray talks about pageant walk

It has since been dubbed as the "Lava Walk," an homage to Albay, her mother's hometown, where the
famous Mayon Volcano can be found. The slow flow of lava was the apparent inspiration.

It is the latest entry into the growing list of signature nicknamed walks Filipina beauty queens
brought to the biggest pageant in the world.

Here's a look back at some of them:

1. Venus Raj's "Pilapil Walk"

Her signature walk was the first to be given a nickname, after how she used to practice by walking on
the rice field's narrow paths, or the "pilapil," when she was still young.
Maria Venus Raj@MariaaVenusRaj

Throwback to Maria Venus Raj 22, Philippines! Naalala niyo pa ba tong


moment na to? Yung niyanig ni Manay ang Vegas with her pilapil walk?
our lucky charm for #MissUniverse #Philippines

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1:27 PM - Nov 21, 2017

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Raj finished fourth runner-up in Miss Universe 2010.

2. Shamcey Supsup's "Tsunami Walk"

Supsup explained that the term was inspired by a Spanish friend of hers who always told her to "walk
like a tsunami."
Shamcey Supsup showcases her walk during the 2011 Miss Universe pageant. Norman's Blog
Supsup finished third runner-up in Miss Universe 2011.

3. Janine Tugonon's "Cobra Walk"

This particular one was meant to be hypnotic, hence the nickname.

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Tugonon was named first runner-up in Miss Universe 2012.

4. Ariella Arida's "Arriba Walk"

Arida shared that the focus on her walk was on how she projected herself and the glide of her hips.

Watch more in iWant or TFC.tv

Arida finished third runner-up in Miss Universe 2013.

5. MJ Lastimosa's "Camel Walk"

Like in Gray's case, the nickname for the signature stride of Lastimosa, who is half-Saudi Arabian,
was based on her roots.

Watch more in iWant or TFC.tv


Lastimosa made it to the Top 10 of Miss Universe 2014.

6. Pia Wurtzbach's "Tanim-Bala" walk

Wurtzbach's piercing gaze was the inspiration for the nickname, which was coined by comedian Vice
Ganda.

Wurtzbach was proclaimed Miss Universe in 2015.

7. Maxine Medina's "Alta Walk"

It was the fans this time who came up with the name for Medina's walk, which involved "rolling her
shoulders in perfect sync with the gliding of her hips," according to Preview.

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Medina made it to the Top 6 of Miss Universe 2016.

8. Rachel Peters' "Infinity Walk"

Peters' walk was conceptualized to take advantage of her long pins. The movement was supposed to
resemble the sign for infinity, or a figure eight.

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