Catriona in homecoming concert to remember
The “Raise Your Flag For Catriona Gray” homecoming concert held at the Big Dome recently was a celebration fit for a queen.
The Miss Universe 2018 winner was in for an emotional start when her parents surprised her. She thought they were in Canada especially since her mother had just messaged and wished her luck without mentioning they would be part of the show just a few hours later.
Before that, the program kicked off with performances by Morissette Amon, Jed Madela, and TNT Boys backed by the ABS-CBN Orchestra. The show was hosted by Boy Abunda.
A video about Catriona’s training for Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe was flashed on screen. She spoke about the decision to try her luck in pageantry again after her Miss World stint.
The audience went even wilder when a fashion show featuring past Miss Universe Philippines winners and Binibining Pilipinas queens took play. They walked the runway in red outfits by various designers.
Young actress Maymay Entrata slayed the stage with her own “lava gown” designed by Mak Tumang, who did Catriona’s famous red Miss Universe dress. Loud cheers welcomed Rachel Peters, Maxine Medina, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Ariella Arida, Shamcey Supsup, and Venus Raj, all of whom had a Top 10 or a runner-up finish in past Miss Universe pageants. Pia Wurtzbach, who won the Miss Universe 2015 title, also had her moment.
All eyes were on Catriona when she replicated the “lava walk” she did at the Miss Universe 2018 coronation night in Thailand. It was the second time she wore her now-iconic “Mayon” gown.
Comedian Vice Ganda was also part of the show. He did a one-on-one interview with the queen, even asking her to do a film with him.
Bamboo serenaded Catriona, who changed into another iconic gown – the “Perla Oriente.”
Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without the children of Young Focus, an organization she has been working with for several years, honoring their most famous supporter.
The show ended with the song “Raise Your Flag” performed by KZ Tandingan and Kritiko.
“Raise Your Flag For Catriona Gray” will be aired on ABS-CBN on March 10. A few days before the concert, Bulletin Entertainment attended a press conference for Catriona’s homecoming. Here’s an abridged excerpt of the Q&A:
Describe yourself before you were crowned Miss Universe 2018.
“I would say I was driven. Because up to the very last moment – though I won’t say that I was so competitive that I lost the heart of why I was there – I was really focused. But then after Miss Universe, it was more like I have so much responsibility now.”
What were your learnings from the New York Fashion Week talks you attended?
“First, I really enjoyed the panel discussion because it wasn’t only about watching a collection or models walking down the runaway and seeing the designer’s work. It was also about having a conversation about exclusivity and representation within the fashion industry, which I think bleeds into fashion industry all over the world, even here in the Philippines.
“Talking about exclusivity in terms of gender, in terms of body shapes, I think pageantry is a beautiful arena to start really pioneering for more of those things.”
What makes you proud about being Filipino as you were competing in Miss Universe?
“All of it! It colored my journey to the Miss Universe crown.
“I really tried and endeavored to be a very good representation of my country in sharing our culture, history. These included things like my national costume, doing a series of videos that I hoped would further educate about the aspects I highlighted in my costume.
“Even in my choice of wardrobe, sharing our textile, our symbolisms, our inspirations as a nation through avenues of fashion. And, of course, every time I spoke, I always wanted to push the advocacies here in the Philippines.”
Knowing what you know now, how do you think should a woman prepare for the task of being Miss Universe?
“You need to be true to yourself. Because, you know, we’re so lucky here in the Philippines to be surrounded by amazing teams of people, who will all lift you up, who will carry you throughout your preparation. But once you get there to compete, you are all alone, you get this sense that you’re by yourself. So, you need to stay true to yourself and have that strength, whether you draw it from an advocacy, whether you draw it from the supporters, whether you draw it from your family. You need to have that strength because through those moments in the pageant, when you are overwhelmed, when you are feeling doubtful, that’s where you draw strength. These carried me through even up to now when there are moments that I get homesick.”
If you could change only one thing in the Philippines, what would that be?
“I would further develop our provinces and share more of what we have to offer. When I was traveling around, when I was researching for my national costume, I just fell in love with how rich and beautiful our culture is. I think if only people know how much we have to offer, they would see how unique Philippines is then they will have a passion to truly explore the Philippines, and not just in a tourist way.”
Is there a particular place in the Philippines that people should visit more?
“Mindanao. When I was abroad, people were quite hesitant about Mindanao because of recent news. Although we should take proper precautions in certain areas, they have such beautiful culture there that, I think, people don’t see because it’s overshadowed by the negativity.”
How do you keep your feet on the ground?
“This is something that I feel got really tested this year. Just because you are a titleholder, you are suddenly flung onto a platform overnight, there’s no gradual build. You have the crown and then you’re there.
“But I always remind myself why I do what I do. Why did I pursue this in the first place? It’s because of my advocacy. I want to bring that voice, that cause to a bigger platform.
“I also feel like a lot of it has got something to do about me keeping my friends and families close. I feel it’s always important to have people around you that you trust, that would kind of keep you on check. People that, out of love, will keep you check. I’m just very blessed that I have that circle of friends.”
What is your advice to people who look up to you?
“My first advice is to know why you are doing this. Is it for you to gain new opportunities, stepping on a platform for something? Is it for your advocacy? You need to have the purpose. Throughout the whole journey, you need that purpose to hold on to because that’s what going to carry you through.
“Two, it would be keep true to what you want or vision. Pursuing pageantry this time, keeping true to my vision, that really helped me in every aspect; from the presentation, to the national costume – everything. I am so blessed to be surrounded with a team that really allowed me to bring my vision into life.
“And three, stay strong mentally. Fortitude is the term that I really use. Mental fortitude means, especially being a Filipina or being a Filipina beauty queen, being from one of the biggest social media nations in the world, you would be bombarded on social media. Good and bad. And that’s just part of it. But you need to be strong in your mind to know how to filter the message that will affect or would let you down. Don’t let anything hinder you from pursuing your dream.”