Catriona Gray on competing for Miss Universe 2018: 'It's all or nothing'

Published November 13, 2018 10:15am

By JANNIELYN ANN BIGTAS, GMA News

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray is all set to compete in the most prestigious pageant, Miss Universe on December 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

"I wanted to go all out. [it's] all or nothing," Catriona said at her send-off party on Monday evening at Novotel in Quezon City.

Catriona is confident that she is ready to take the Miss Universe stage and represent her country well.

"I would say I'm really prepared. I'd rather take time and be slow about it rather than wait for it until the very end and then cram. It's like an exam: better to do it little by little over the course of time rather than cramming the night before," Catriona told reporters in an interview.

Catriona revealed that she already started preparing a few weeks after being crowned Binibining Pilipinas because she wanted to do her best to try and win Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown.

"I guess in April after Easter I started na. I mean why wait? It's really because I wanna make the Philippines proud. I wanna [give the] best effort for the country because I think we deserve it. It's been a wonderful journey and I really hope I can make the Philippines proud in December," she said.

One Pinoy attitude she said she'd like to bring with her to the pageant is having a welcoming vibe.

"I really think that it would be in my attitude because I think that Filipinos have this welcoming attitude like saying hello would be 'kain na tayo.' There is no segregation like 'I don't know you' and it's really just a welcoming attitude and I think I will bring that attitude [to the competition]," Catriona remarked.

Aside from bringing and showing a very Pinoy character, Catriona also plans to show how much of a Filipina she is through her wardrobe choice.

"Along with that [attitude], in my wardrobe, I wanted aspects of the Philippines whether it'd be a clutch or a fabric because I want to be a Miss Philippines in the pageant," she said.

One of the things that keeps Catriona's focus intact is her parents' advice which has been ringing inside her head all throughout her journey.

"I can always hear my dad's voice, whenever he gives me advice it's always stuck in my head. He always tells me 'the longest journey starts with a single step.'"

On her edge and strengths

When asked what her strengths are she said, "It would really be that one I'm really focused. Two is, I have mental fortitude"

Catriona explained having focus and mental fortitude are important when one is in involved in pageantry. "We are bombarded with so many different things whether it'd be from online or people around you that you need to have security around yourself."

She said the edge she would proudly showcase as Philippines' representative is her advocacy, which is education.

"I guess I have my advocacy and I think that has grounded me. I didn't have an advocacy just for the pageant, I've had it for three years [and] just having that thing to ground me and to humble me throughout the whole experience I think is a wonderful edge to have, " she proudly stated.

She continued: "Education can change lives or open opportunities that might had been not been there before whether it means early education for children or education to eradicate ignorance or stigma or what people can see, education is the core that I'd love to support because I think that you're in the Philippines it's something that we can do more of." — LA, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/674548/catriona-gray-on-competing-for-miss-universe-2018-it-s-all-or-nothing/story/