Cary Santiago, the ace designer behind Gazini Ganados’ gown when she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019, addressed on Monday some pageant fans who have been targeting him with “below-the-belt” comments.

Santiago’s statement, released via Facebook, coincided with the official send-off of Ganadaos, along with her fellow Binibining Pilipinas queens ahead of their respective international pageants.

At the event, Ganados happened to be wearing a design by Santiago. Going by Santiago’s post, the Talisay beauty will also take the Miss Universe stage in the US in one of his creations.

LOOK: BPCI Chairperson Stella Araneta sends off Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Resham Ramirez Saeed, and Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao. | via Kiko Escuadro, ABS-CBN News pic.twitter.com/YIEVRUukqJ

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) November 4, 2019

Leading up to the December event, Santiago revealed he has been receiving messages left and right about what Ganados will wear as the Philippines’ representative.

“Some give suggestions, others are appreciative while a number of them are bashing me for my work/s. Their comments: ‘I don’t like it,’ ‘I find it heavy or bulky,’ ‘Tama na ang birds,’ ‘Why the same style.’ A couple are even giving below-the-belt comments that are unprintable. And I get all these messages every single day. Some are from troll accounts while most are from legit ones,” he wrote.

Santiago then clarified that he does is not and “never was an expert of pageants,” nor is he a pageant enthusiast.

“It just so happen that i am able to dress up a few beauty queens because either I know them personally (they modeled for me) or I know someone that is close to them and they asked me to. Most of these are my babies hence I feel happy if I am able to see them wearing me,” he said.

Without revealing details of his creation for Ganados’ Miss Universe gown, he said that its final design, silhouette, and color were decided upon by both of them.

Santiago went on: “I am a high fashion designer for the upper crust of the Philippine society. Modesty aside, they are the ones who really know fashion. For the pageant enthusiasts and fans, no offense but beauty pageants has never been the barometer of fashion.

“There are those who give comments that is already mocking me and my works as if they are the real experts. Very pushy and demanding that it seems if you will not hear them out and ignore their messages, they will malign your craft even more. Again, let me reiterate, fashion is never and will never be about beauty pageants. Fashion does not revolve around it.”

Referring to the Miss Universe coronation scheduled on December 8, Santiago then said, “If the stars will align that night, whatever Gazini will wear, it will happen.”

“If she gets a podium-finish, that’s her discipline, perseverance and a whole lot of luck. So let us support her and as we continue to join her journey towards the crown, I am hoping that we stop all the bashing. Constructive criticism is appreciated and I am all for it, just never a lambasted one!” he added.