In December of the past year, a dream of the Filipino fandom came true again only three years since the last time it happened. At the 2018 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, Filipina-Australian singer, commercial model and beauty queen Catriona Gray won the title, the fourth Miss U contestant representing the Philippines to do so. As the pageant took place in the Holiday season, it was expected that the winner be able to spend the Yuletide celebration at home with her family, and Catriona was able to enjoy Christmas and New Year thus. But with the start of 2019, the time has finally come for her to get to work.
CNN Philippines reports that Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018, has begun her journey to New York City, main office of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) in order to begin her reign and perform the duties and responsibilities that come with wearing her pageant crown. Catriona departed the on Wednesday, January 2, judging from the photo she shared on Instagram at the PAL Mabuhay Lounge International of NAIA. In true beauty queen fashion, she was dressed stylishly in a jacket and jeans combo with thigh-high boots, plus a suitcase trolley with the Philippine coat of arms.
“Refreshed from a quiet holiday season with my loved ones,” noted Catriona on her Instagram photo caption. “I’ve packed up my home in Manila and now I’m ready to move to my new home in New York City!! I still can’t believe it! @missuniverse” The 24-year-old Miss Universe 2018 also expressed nervousness at the thought of spending the start of 2019 in NYC, which would still be experiencing winter snows at the time. She also asked social media for recommendations for sights, activities and places to eat at while she is at the Big Apple.
The official MUO website has an explanation on how each Miss Universe titleholder will “reign” in New York City for most of the following year following her pageant victory. From there she would have a platform from which she can propose and carry out social and charitable projects for both her home country and the world. In that mold, Catriona Gray will have commitments such as TV guestings and visits to various countries and organizations working with the MUO. She will carry on these duties until the next Miss Universe pageant, where she will crown her successor, the new winner.
Four Filipinas have had the honor of reigning as Miss Universe in the pageant’s history: Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita “Margie” Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015). The Philippines itself also currently enjoys a streak of contestants being Miss U finalists, argued to be one of the longest in pageant history.
Image courtesy of ABS-CBN News
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