4th Pinay Miss U gets messages of praise
Like lava that inspired her dress, messages of congratulations and praises for Catriona Gray flowed from all over the country.
In her mother ’s home province of Albay, a hero’s welcome awaits the beauty queen.
“Truly an Albayana, she was the most prepared candidate ever – if you prepare to fight calamities, the more you are prepared for victory,” Albay Rep. Joey Salceda posted in his Facebook account.
Gray’s mother Normita Ragas Magnayon is from Oas town.
Salceda said Catriona is “regal as Mayon is majestic. She is beautiful, truly Daragang Magayon.”
“The entire Albay is happy and proud of her achievement as proud she is of her roots. I worked with Catriona in her previous quests and she was excited about her role as tourism champion for Albay,” the former Albay governor recalled.
Gray’s aunt Salve Ragas said local officials of Oas and Albay are already making arrangements with them for a grand welcome for Catriona.
She said Catriona last visited Oas in November when some of the Miss Earth beauty pageant events were held in Albay.
“My niece Catriona is a very kind person. She is always humble and funny,” Ragas recalled.
Newly formed Bicol regional political party Kusog Bicolandia announced it would organize a grand welcome party for Gray in January.
“Catriona deserves such recognition as she gives us Bicolanos as well as Filipinos pride and prestige when she bagged the crown as Ms. Universe 2018,” Noel De Luna, Kusol Bicolandia chairman, told The STAR.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a resolution congratulating and commending Gray not only for her victory but also for her various advocacies.
Zubiri cited Gray’s work on promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and education, as well as her efforts to put up a threestory shelter for impoverished children in Manila slums.
Sen. Grace Poe called Gray “a woman of style, substance and brave heart deserves the crown.”
“Thank you for flying the Philippine flag high. The Filipinos will be by your side in your Miss Universe journey,” Poe said.
Sen. Cynthia Villar said she joined the nation and Filipino communities around the world in celebrating Gray’s victory.
She also thanked her for “successfully raising the Philippine flag and championing Filipino pride in the global stage.”
“I commend her for sending out a very powerful message of looking for opportunities to help even in the most desperate situations,” Villar said.
“I look forward to Catriona’s meaningful and uplifting reign as Miss Universe,” she said.
Sen. Nancy Binay said Gray made the country proud as she displayed grace and beauty amid the pressure of competing in the pageant.
“She is proof that one can rise through adversity if one believes in herself, as well as displays her abilities and dedication,” Binay said.
“I had a rare opportunity to have met and talked to Ms. Gray. From that moment, I already sensed her heart and passion to serve. Being Miss Universe will amplify her true value to want to help the marginalized children and farflung IP communities not only in the Philippines, but in other countries as well,” she said.