Why ‘Raise Your Flag’ is special to Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray demonstrates again her musical talent with the release of a new single, “Raise Your Flag,” her third recording after “We’re in This Together” (2018) and “Angel of Mine” (her duet with Jay-R, whose music video was released only last April).
“Raise Your Flag” — written by Trisha Denise and ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo — is special to Catriona since the composers said it was inspired by her answer in the elimination round prior to her winning the 2018 Miss Universe crown.
When program host Steve Harvey asked Catriona, if she were to write a song, what would be its title, she answered: “‘Raise Your Flag’… because I stand here not as one, but as a hundred and four million Filipinos.”
And in the final Q&A segment, asked “what is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life and how will you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?” Catriona replied:
“I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and the life there is very... it’s poor and it’s very sad. And I’ve 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.
‘Raise Your Flag’ was originally recorded by KZ Tandingan and Kritiko, which the duo performed at the homecoming event for Catriona in 2019.
“And I would 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 this I think if I could also teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children will have a smile on their faces.”
“Raise Your Flag” was originally recorded by KZ Tandingan and Kritiko, which the duo performed at the homecoming event for Catriona in 2019.
At the media video conference for her single, Catriona said: “This is an anthem. It’s a call to action to be something for someone, to raise your voice.”
The 27-year-old beauty queen pointed out that today’s youth go through a lot of stress and pressure, especially amid the pandemic.
She added that she herself is no stranger to pressure as she recalled her joining the Miss World pageant at 21 years old and failing to win the crown: “I questioned everything about myself.”
But she never gave up and finally won — as Miss Universe. Catriona will host, with Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordobes, the Binibining Pilipinas 2021 coronation night on 11
July.