The story behind the viral photo of Catriona and Sandra

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Mar 20 2018 10:12 PM | Updated as of Mar 20 2018 10:52 PM

Aside from her candidly clueless Q&A response in Binibining Pilipinas, pageant finalist Sandra Lemonon also became the subject of another viral moment from the coronation night -- that of her cheering for the eventual Miss Universe-Philippines winner, Catriona Gray.

In the photo originally posted by pageant magazine Sash Factor, Lemonon is seen in the background, apparently overjoyed as she looks on at Gray, who had just been announced as the country's representative to Miss Universe.

Unknown to most viewers, Lemonon and Gray are close friends. Not only are they both professional models, they've also shared a defining life experience prior to Binibining Pilipinas.

They were batch mates in another national pageant, Miss World-Philippines. Gray was crowned the titular winner in its 2016 edition, while Lemonon was fourth runner-up. The former finished in the top five of the international Miss World competition.

Lemonon was speaking with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual Tuesday about her viral Q&A response in Binibining Pilipinas, when she expressed support for Gray as that night's biggest winner.

"When I had that question, I said, 'This is not for me.' I really, really think that on that night, Catriona -- she's a really good friend of mine -- she really deserved to win. On that night, even if I gave a good answer, I felt like it was not my time yet. I really felt like something happened for a reason," Lemonon said.

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Asked whether she was aware of the viral photo of her cheering for Gray, Lemonon answered: "Of course I was clapping! I did see that. I remember that. We've been together since before. When that happened, I was just super, super proud of her."

Determined to win a crown of her own, Lemonon confirmed that she intends to join Binibining Pilipinas again.

"I am coming back for sure, because I want to win!" she said.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/20/18/the-story-behind-the-viral-photo-of-catriona-and-sandra