PH BET CONQUERS UNIVERSE:
Catriona Gray waves to the audience after being crowned Miss Universe 2018 during the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 17, 2018. Gray is the fourth Miss Universe winner from the Philippines.
The Philippines’ Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018, the country’s fourth crown in almost five decades.
The renowned beauty pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday, Dec. 17.
First runner-up was Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green, while second runner-up was Miss Venezuela Sthefany Yoharlis Gutiérrez.
During the final round, each contestant was asked the same question while the other two contestants were asked to wear headphones to keep them from hearing.
“What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?” asked host Steve Harvey.
“I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is poor and it’s very sad. And I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in it; to look in the beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something; where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity cannot grow and prosper, and children will have smiles on their faces,” said Gray.
When the final moment arrived, Harvey announced Gray as this year’s Miss Universe.
Gray is the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe titleholder in almost 50 years, joining Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margarita Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969).
Palace’s statement
Malacañang hailed Gray for winning the Miss Universe 2018.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine government “salute and admire” Gray’s victory, which “sets the bar high in empowering more Filipino women to believe in themselves and to fight for their own place in the universe.”
“Ms. Gray truly made the encan tire Philippines proud when she sashayed on the global stage and showcased the genuine qualities defining a Filipina beauty: confidence, grace, intelligence and strength in the face of tough challenges,” the Palace official said.
Gray bested 93 other candidates from all over the world.
The 24-year-old who is half Australian took the place of Miss Universe 2017 Demi Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa.
The Cebu City Council, in mass motion, also passed a resolution congratulating Gray for winning the crown.
Cebuano fashion designer Harvey Cenit said he is proud to have been a part of Gray’s team.
“I made her dress for her official photo shoot in Thailand with CHI, the official haircare sponsor of Miss Universe,”said the designer, who is based in the Middle East.
Another local designer admired Gray for not forgetting her advocacy.
“Catriona winning Miss Universe, with the intention of using her platform to help the poor, especially the children have a better future, makes me even prouder to have such a beautiful woman who not only focuses on becoming Miss Universe, but keeps in mind the purpose of her title from the beginning. We need more Catrionas for the world to be a better place,” said Mary Ty-Apares.