I WAS not really thrilled when my social media newsfeed announced that Miss Universe Philippines was crowned Miss Universe. Beauty and brains won the title for the country. Ho-hum.
And then out of curiosity, I learned more about Catriona Gray. She is an Australian-Filipina and a model. The two-time beauty queen started her public life as a singer and martial arts expert. She got her Certificate in Music Theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
And then, my interest really got piqued when I saw her pictures with the ragamuffins of Tondo. I love her quotes.
I felt like crying when she prayed, “Lord God, I lift everything up to you — to glorify and honor you. What an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects. I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I will forever be your Miss Philippines.”
She has surrendered her destiny to Father Abba. “The crown represented a journey... until I realized that the journey could continue and exist without it. I truly believe that God always knows what’s best and I trust in his plan and perfect timing,” Catriona said after failing to win the Miss World crown.
I feel connected to Cat. One thing I had in common with her is that I served the Tondo poor of Barrio Magsaysay and Magsaysay Village. I work with the Share and Care Apostolate of Poor Settlers under the National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. And now, with He Cares Mission-Bacolod.
Catriona Gray became a familiar face not only on television but also among the underprivileged children and their parents whom she served in the depressed areas of Manila via the advocacy project, Paraiso of Young Focus.
It seeks to give underprivileged children and young people the chance to develop themselves intellectually, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually by providing education and supporting their personal growth.
“It was in the moments that I had no crown, no makeup, wearing sneakers and jeans spending my time with the kids that I felt most like a Queen,” said the Miss Universe 2018.
In my book, Catriona has earned the title with her winning answer. When asked, “What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe.”
Catriona Gray said: “I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is very... it’s poor and very sad. And I have always taught myself to look for the beauty on it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. 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. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces.”
Amen!