Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is home

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

HOMECOMING QUEEN Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray forms two hearts with her fingers during her grand homecoming news conference at Novotel Hotel in Quezon City. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Latest Filipino pride Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is home.

Arriving from New York over the weekend unannounced but meeting with the media officially only on Wednesday afternoon at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Hotel Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, Gray said she was overwhelmed by the support of her countrymen, knowing that the Philippines is the biggest social media user in the world, and how beauty queens are given importance in this part of the globe.

Wearing an orange terno with the diamond-and-pearl-studded Mikimoto crown on her head, she laughed when emcee Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up) started reading the questions fielded by the media and were drawn from a fish bowl. Like the intelligent girl she is now known all over the universe, the Filipino-Australian beauty was able to ace each and every question asked of her.

Comparing who she was before becoming Miss Universe and after her crowning, she said that in one word she can sum up who she was before — driven, and now as the representation of womanhood for all nations, she feels a heavier responsibility resting on her shoulder. She qualified though that she was the same simple girl everyone knew her to be.

But Gray explained that now her voice reaches the international audience, not just in the Philippines.

She said she would continue supporting her advocacies, specifically the Tondo-based Young Focus Philippines (where she’s been working with underprivileged youth since 2012 and where she shot her music video) and Love Yourself Philippines, an organization that promotes HIV awareness and testing.

Gray recalled the moment that she was in the same room for the sendoff along with Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar (who made in the Top 10 of the international pageant) in November. She revealed that she did her own makeup in the finals, making sure that it’s waterproof so her tears won’t ruin it should she be crowned Miss Universe. It did not happen, yet it may happen in today’s parade that starts at Sofitel Hotel, traversing the cities of Pasay, Manila and Makati. She will be on board a majestic float that evokes the images of the “Miss U” crown and Mayon Volcano-lava-flowing-inspired red and gold gown by Mark Tumang that she wore in the finals.

“When I was getting ready for the coronation night, I did my make-up and made sure it was extra waterproof, because if I were to be announced, I would cry, but it never happened,” she said, laughing.

“So I feel like my ‘crying moment’ would be during my homecoming parade, because looking back at the past couple of years, my most emotional moment as a titleholder has been when I’m surrounded by the people, and it’s always because when I see their support and passion, it really makes me cry, because I feel like a simple girl, but here I am, bringing joy to people’s lives in such a way.”

Gray said she would be in Manila for a week full of activities. Today’s parade starts at 2 p.m. passing through the Cultural Center of the Philippines grounds, then through Roxas Boulevard, Kalaw Avenue, Taft Avenue, Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue, and ending on Ayala Avenue.

Her journey will come full circle on Saturday, February 23, as a parade will take her around Araneta Center, where her quest for the fourth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines started. Gloria Diaz became the Philippines’ first Miss Universe in 1969, followed by Margie Moran in 1973. It took 42 years before another Filipina was crowned — Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.

On Sunday 7 p.m., Gray will be honored in a show called “Raise Your Flag For Catriona Gray (Miss Universe 2018 Homecoming)” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Hosted by Boy Abunda, stars gracing the affair include Wurtzbach, Vice Ganda, Maymay Entrata (who Gray said was her choice to play herself in case her story was featured on “Maalaala Mo Kaya”), Bamboo, KZ Tandingan, Jed Madela, TNT Boys, Morisette Amon and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

On Tuesday, Gray will also visit the organizations closest to her heart and will also pay courtesy calls on the country’s top officials.

She said she remains grounded despite her sudden fame, thanks to her family and circle of friends who remind her that she is the same as she was, only this time with heavier responsibility and the whole universe as her audience. Definitely she would pursue her music career after her reign, Gray added.

https://www.manilatimes.net/miss-universe-2018-catriona-gray-is-home/514900/