Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach lead Miss Universe Philippines 2019 charity gala

The 40 candidates of Bibinining Pilipinas 2019 join Catriona and Pia in an event for the benefit of Young Focus and Love Yourself

Rappler.com - Published 3:42 PM, June 05, 2019 - — Alexa Villano/ Rappler.com

FILIPINA MISS UNIVERSES. Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray reunite for the 'Frontrow and The Universe Give Back' charity gala at Marriott Hotel. All photos by Dion Besa/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray led Miss Universe Philippines' charity gala event "FrontRow Cares and The Universe Give Back" on Tuesday, June 4 at the Marriott Hotel.

The charity gala is a project that benefits two organizations the two queens have been working with — Love Yourself and Young Focus Philippines.

Pia, along with designer Albert Andrada and Richelle Singson-Michael, chaired this year's charity gala. Richelle was a judge during the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Thailand and chaired the committee that hosted Miss Universe 2016 in the Philippines.

Miss Universe Philippines 2010 Venus Raj and Grace Bacus were the subject of tributes during the event. Both had also spoken to the contestants of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 in separate seminars back in April.

Venus was the 4th runner-up when she competed in Miss Universe. Grace, who hails from Talisay City in Cebu, finished her undergraduate degree while juggling several jobs. She finished magna cum laude.

The event, which included a fashion show, featured the 40 Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates along with models from Mercator Management. Designers Albert Andrada, Michael Leyva, Rhett Eala, Ito Curata, Jot Losa, Avel Bacudio, Cherry Veric, and Martin Bautista showcased their creations during the event.

Edwin Tan provided the suits for the fashion show:

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/specials/bb-pilipinas/232315-photos-catriona-gray-pia-wurtzbach-charity-gala-universe-gives-back-june-2019