BINIBINING Pilipinas Universe 2018 Catriona Gray on winning two major titles, “It was Miss Universe Philippines or nothing for me. Super grateful ako, blessed, because I understand and acknowledge that it’s not every day that a beauty queen is able to have a second chance representing her country on the international stage.”
On representing the Philippines in Miss Universe 2018: "Actually, I don't feel a lot of pressure yet. I mean, it's only one or two days fresh from coronation, so I just want to revel and experience of having the crown... of having the sash... of having the title. But definitely, later on, I might feel a bit of pressure, but it's all well and good."
Catriona was proclaimed Bb. Pilipinas World 2016 and now Bb. Pilipinas Universe.
“You know, it’s very risky for me to join Binibining Pilipinas ulit because it was Miss Universe Philippines or nothing for me. But I’m just so blessed to be sitting here with the Miss Universe Philippines sash.”
What if she did not land as Bb. Pilipinas Universe?
"Ahhh... I just can’t believe it!”
When Catriona represented the Philippines in the Miss World 2016 held in Maryland, USA, she landed as one of the top 5 finalists. Is the pressure more intense because she will be representing our country again in the Miss Universe pageant?
“I think it’s a blessing na Filipinos have such high expectations on us beauty queens, ‘coz it shows that they really care and they’re really rallying for us. But actually, I don’t feel a lot of pressure yet. I mean, it’s only one or two days fresh from coronation, so I just want to revel and experience of having the crown... of having the sash... of having the title. But definitely, later on, I might feel a bit of pressure, but it’s all well and good. The pressure means that I care about what I’m doing and I want to do well.”
As an independent candidate who doesn't belong to beauty pageant camps like - Aces and Queens or Kagandahang Flores, how does it feel she took home the crown?
“I just feel... because I have experienced being with a camp before, so I just wanted to try something different. I’m actually so happy working independently ‘coz I’ve been able to kind of cherry-picked the people I wanted to work with—whether they be stylist, make-up artist, designers. I’ve been learning from people from theatre, from dance, from passarela [catwalk], so I was able to mixed it up... the people I’ve learned from, and I enjoyed it so much."
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The handsome bouquet guy at the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 coronation night is a scene-stealer like his girlfriend, Sandra Lemonon, one of the pageant's candidates. The bouquet presenter is getting as much attention from netizens as his girlfriend.
Sandra was candidate No. 35 at the national beauty pageant that happened last Sunday, March 18, at the Araneta Coliseum. She practically stole the thunder from the Binibining Pilipinas winners with her game-changing remark in the Q&A portion of the pageant.
The handsome bouquet presenter was commercial model Josh Barfuss.
And like Sandra, who has become a social media darling, he is just as shocked by the netizens' positive reactions towards him. He was seen smiling and shaking his head in a short video on his Instagram Story this Tuesday night, March 20.
“My God, the messages that I’ve been getting the last couple of days. People are telling me that they would have exchanged their title for me. Or they ask if I came as a prize, you know, like part of the prize for the title, my God!"
During the pageant, Josh presented the bouquet of flowers to the major winners. Netizens immediately noticed his good looks and asked about his identity. Those who are familiar with the model identified him as Sandra’s boyfriend.
He also posted a photo with the caption, “Would you have traded? Hahaha”
Josh is a German-Thai in his mid-20s, according to a site. Apart from being a model, he is also a media designer, social worker, and a teacher.
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Volleyball player Melissa Gohing confirms her relationship with actor Rocco Nacino. In her Instagram account, Melissa proudly greeted Rocco on his 30th birthday.
"Happy birthday my love, @nacinorocco."
Rocco replied on the comment section, “thank you mi amor! Love you! @gohingmelissa.”
Their relationship was the talk of the town when they attended the wedding of co-player Cha Cha Cruz to Ray Behag in Tagaytay City last Feb 28,2018. First week of March a source close to Rocco confirmed that the relationship of Melissa and Rocco started last year.