PH wins Miss Universe; oil prices plunging
NEWLY
crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray gets a warm welcome from millions of Filipinos upon her return to Manila after winning the much-coveted world title in Bangkok, Thailand.
Filipina beauty wins again rekindling national pride and inspiration.
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For the first time in recent years, the Miss Universe winner broke routine by immediately coming home instead of travelling direct to New York City.
I love my own, my native land, as an old patriotic song goes.
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Miss Gray, who arrived in Manila Wednesday afternoon, immediately attended a charity event for out-ofschool youth in Tondo, Manila.
Business before pleasure, she favorably projected to the world.
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But after her brief Manila visit, Miss Gray will move into her lavish New York City apartment to begin her reign as Miss Universe.
A year-long salary, living expenses and other perks await her as part of her prize package.
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The Pinay beauty queen from Oas, Albay said she is excited to travel to New York to commence her reign.
“I’m so excited! I have so many Broadway shows that I love to see. And it would be awesome to experience autumn and winter,” said Gray.
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Gray added that she wants to see the world during her reign.
“I definitely want to visit Indonesia. I’ve never ever been… And also I want to visit Europe. I’ve never been to Europe,” she confessed.
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But Miss Gray wished to celebrate the holidays with her family and friends, saying “I want to see my family and my team because I won’t be able to achieve this without them.”
Filipino sentimentalism and attitude of gratitude show.
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“As Miss Universe, I would like to expand my platform on education and HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. It’s something that I am passionate about because few years ago, I lost a friend from complications on HIV. I want to pursue public HIV testing,” she said.
“Other than that, I want to promote education for the youth in impoverished areas. And of course, I will promote other causes that come my way,’’ the Filipina beauty queen added.
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Malacanang expressed its appreciation for the victory of Miss Gray. A ray of hope. Filipina beauty shining through.
* * * Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat thanked Gray and praised her for being a “passionate advocate of Philippine tourism.”
Thanks for showing Filipino culture and tourism throughout the Miss Universe competition, she said.
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“Throughout the Miss Universe competition, Miss Gray evoked the Filipino people’s essential attributes of friendliness, cheerfulness, hospitality and kindness when she was around the representatives of different nations,” Puyat said in a statement.
“A passionate advocate of Philippine tourism and a partner of the Department of Tourism in and out of the Miss Universe stage, Miss Gray has raised our flag through her words and actions,” Puyat said.
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“She has single-handedly led more people all over the world to discover that, indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines,” Puyat added.
And indeed, it’s more fun to have a Filipina as Miss U, too.
*** Likewise, Filipinos rejoiced as Brent crude prices dropped more than $1 on Tuesday, falling for a third straight session.
Thanks to inventory buildup and forecasts of record shale output in the United States, now the world’s biggest producer, said observers.
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Observers added that concerns over future oil demand amid weakening global economic growth and doubts over the planned production cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also pressured prices.
Yes to falling oil prices so Pinoys could jump in joy especially this holiday season.