‘‘Next time the sun rises, the Universe will be upon us.’’
That’s what Catriona Gray posted on her Instagram account on Sunday, expressing confidence in taking home the crown for the Philippines in the 2018 Miss Universe beauty pageant.
The coronation show of the annual contest unfolds this morning in Bangkok, Thailand, with Grey also asking for prayers from Filipinos via social media, as she remains one of the bettors’ favorites to rule the competition.
Betting site OddsShark places Gray, who is hoping to become the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines, as a +500 favorite alongside Miss Puerto Rico Kiara Ortega. Sophida Kanchanarin of host Thailand is next at +800 odds, tied with Miss United States Sarah Rose Summers.
On Instagram, the Filipino-Australian model posted a photo of herself on a beach with a view of the sunrise in the background, wearing an enchanting yellow bikini top and matching sheer skirt.
“Less than 24 hours to go to @missuniverse! Keep sending me prayers mga kababayan!” she asked her fans—which now include non-Filipinos like top American model Tyra Banks.
Amazed by Gray’s show-stopping “slo-mo” twirl during the preliminary swimsuit competition on Friday, Banks said on her own social media platform: “It’s all about “Pinoy Power to the Max!!!”
READ: Gray’s ‘slo-mo twirl’ wows netizens
The video of the 24-year-old model’s performance has gone viral online, as pundits bolstered her standing as one of the early favorites to win the crown—and countless imitators have spawned hilarious memes with Gray’s come-hither look as she twirled on the catwalk.
It didn’t hurt that Grey’s showing in the long gown competition was equally enthralling, as she wore an orange flowing number inspired by the mythical “ibong Adarna” co-designed by her and Mak Tumang.
Gray is hoping to win the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973, and Gloria Diaz in 1969. She had already placed in the top 5 of the 2016 Miss World pageant.
