Catriona remained true to herself from the beginning of her pageantry journey until the end.
Photo from Catriona Gray's Instagram account, @catriona_gray.
Imagine this: you are watching an alluring, statuesque woman who is wearing a lava-resembling gown and a sun-inspired ear cuff on her right ear as she is elegantly performing the iconic “lava walk” on stage while the R&B singer Ne-Yo is singing his hit song “Miss Independent.” Does this scenario ring a bell? Perhaps, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s performance during the coronation night immediately crossed your mind. As an avid supporter of beauty pageants and an aspiring broadcast journalist, one of my dreams is to meet and interview the proclaimed Queen of the universe, and I would definitely choose her as my interviewee if given the opportunity in the future. But for now, join me as I imaginarily sit down with Ms. Catriona Gray and talk about her life post-Miss Universe.
Photo by Athit Perawongmetha, Reuters.
Photo by Athit Perawongmetha, Reuters.
After being hailed as Miss Universe, Catriona Gray’s life has definitely changed in the twinkling of an eye. Many people’s attention was on her as she fulfilled her responsibilities during her reign, which was both glamorous and purposeful. She experienced the prestige and splendor of being a queen as she attended numerous fashion shows, had lots of glossy photo shoots, wore stylish outfits, journeyed to several countries, graced various magazine covers, and sealed many endorsements throughout her reign. Simultaneously, she was able to become an active, eloquent spokesperson in different seminars and interviews as she worked with multiple nonprofit organizations and charities.
Photo from The Good News Pilipinas Team.
Photo from Catriona Gray's Instagram account, @catriona_gray.
Almost two years after her reign, Catriona is still in demand. She is now fully active in the Philippine entertainment industry as she makes TV guest appearances and endorsements. She was also part of TV5’s concluded variety program Sunday Noontime Live and frequently performed there as a singer. Furthermore, she is still being invited as a judge in many beauty contests. Her most recent stint as a judge was in Miss Universe Colombia 2020, signifying her remarkable impact on the global pageant scene. But all of these entail immense pressure brought by the many demands and opinions of people. So, with all the achievements Catriona has attained and the expectations people have for her as a pageant titleholder, I would like to first ask her this: “How do you manage to stay grounded?”
Based on her interviews, Catriona would probably say that she owes her strong adherence to her values to her mother because she was the one who taught her that “values are the anchor that one needs in a world whose definitions, timelines, and opinions would constantly try and pull” a person. She would also tell that she always strives to connect to her roots, inner core, and true self. She would not let others’ words, especially those who do not know her personally, affect and control her. Instead, she would trust her instincts and stay true to her beliefs, just like what she has learned from her experience as a Miss Universe. Surrounding herself with supportive loved ones, creating a healthy environment filled with equally passionate and inspiring people, getting to know herself better, doing what she loves, being grateful for everything she has in her life as well as looking for the silver lining in various things and situations are some of the acts that Catriona could be doing, especially in distressing times, and would answer as well.
Photo from Getaway PH.
Photo from ABS-CBN News.
Aside from being an endorser and a singer, Catriona is also currently the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) One Town, One Product (OTOP) Ambassador as well as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Arts Ambassador. These are just befitting because of how she proudly promoted our culture and arts on the local and international stage. It can be remembered how she always ensured that there was a Filipino touch to every outfit that she wore during the Miss Universe 2018 competition. Most of her clothes were made of Filipino textiles and other local products were used to make some of her accessories. Even until now, she is raising our culture and arts by supporting products made by small local businesses.
Photo from Choose Philippines.
Photos from Catriona Gray's YouTube Channel. This is Philippines video series.
I can also recall the This is Philippines video series she posted on her social media accounts prior to the international competition. It showcased what the three main islands of the Philippines—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—have to offer when it comes to culture and arts. This awakened the dormant feelings of appreciation toward local culture and arts and inspired many Filipinos, including me, to study and embrace our own. Now with the big platform that was given to Catriona as an ambassador, I would like to ask her my second question: “As a creative person with a deep love for Philippine arts and culture, what do you think is an effective and artistic way to foster culture and art appreciation, especially among the youth?”
In one of her interviews, Catriona said that she believes in the power of visual storytelling, as it helps to capture the attention of the target audience. Having perceptible materials to show what is being conveyed by the pieces of information about the Philippine arts and culture can also make Filipinos believe and realize how our country can offer so much because of its richness and diversity. Those aforementioned ways could also showcase things that most Filipinos might have not seen before. This gave birth to the idea of Catriona’s Kultura 101, which is a digital series that presents the Philippines’ culture and arts. She also had a similar digital series last year called #RaiseYourFlag, which focused on different provinces and the products that each province takes pride in.
Photo from Catriona Gray's YouTube Channel.
Photo from NCCA-Sagisag PH.
Leveraging on technological advancements, Catriona hopes that Kultura 101 would leave even just a small mark or imprint on the viewers. The former Miss Universe could be hoping as well for today’s younger generation to see the beauty of our culture and arts and be encouraged to witness those for themselves in real life.
Catriona’s promotion of the Philippine culture and arts is not the only thing that she has been doing even after her reign as Miss Universe; she continues to champion the causes and advocacies she has believed in ever since. If you take a look at her social media accounts, you will see her latest posts showing the actions she has done in collaboration with various organizations that she has been supporting and working for, such as Smile Train, LoveYourself, Inc., and Young Focus.
Photo from India Times. Catriona interacting with a beneficiary of Smile Train during her visit to Colombia.
Photo from Catriona Gray's Instagram account, @catriona_gray. Catriona encouraging people to eradicate the stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS and the communities affected by it.
Photo from Manila Bulletin. Catriona announcing her partnership with Young Focus in launching 'quality education'.
This just shows that Catriona is sincere in her advocacies—the main one being quality education for children—during her Miss Universe stint. I can feel how eager she is to help other people and contribute to society’s development, and this led me to come up with my final question for her: “What compelling words can you tell other people to encourage them to turn their compassion into actions?”
“Service is one of the greatest, most selfless acts of love one can give to another”—this is another notable lesson Catriona has picked up from her mother. The beauty queen would perhaps say that everyone—no matter what age, gender, or race an individual has—can make a difference in the community, and to actually combat social injustices and inequalities, we must wholeheartedly make efforts to help victims and find feasible solutions to the existing problems together. There would be no change if we do not have the initiative to take action, and as long injustices and inequalities continue to exist in this world, our job to fight those through our voices and efforts is never done. Helping others is like helping ourselves as well because it is in giving and serving others that one can experience the kind of joy that could only be felt upon seeing and feeling the happiness of other people.
Screengrabs from a video on Catriona Gray's Instagram account, @catriona_gray.
From her strong sense of inner self to her fascination with the Philippine culture and arts up to her intense desire to give back to the community, Catriona remained true to herself from the beginning of her pageantry journey until the end, making her the accomplished and well-loved personality she is. Truly, it is her genuineness that serves as her crowning glory. Even without the crown and sash, Catriona Gray proves that she is indeed a queen by heart.
Hello there! I wrote this as part of my requirements in the subject "Creative Nonfiction". I ardently admire Ms. Catriona Gray not only because of her beauty on the outside but most especially because of her beauty on the inside. She has a loving, genuine heart and a pure soul, and for that, I aspire to be even just half of her. She makes me want to nurture not just my physical self but my spiritual self as well. That is why she serves as one of my inspirations when it comes to being selfless, kind, and contributive to the community.
By the way, what do you think of this essay? If you can, please do leave a comment or two so that I can know your criticisms and thoughts about this work of mine. I'd love to hear from you! Padayon!
- Love, Aly ♥
How about you? Who would you choose to interview, dead or alive, if you were given the chance?
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