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FIL-AMERICAN model Catriona Gray bested 39 ladies and took home the most coveted Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 title at the glittering Binibining Pilipinas 2018 grand coronation Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Gray, a 24-year-old model and songwriter, stood out in almost all departments, bagging special awards including best in evening gown, swimsuit and national costume.
She was captivating in a gorgeous Mak Tumang evening gown and won the Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award with a Muslim-Singkil-inspired costume designed by Jearson Demavivas.
The new Binibining Pilipinas queen is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and an NGO volunteer for the children of Smokey Mountain.
During the Q&A portion, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim asked her, “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”
Gray replied, “My message is for the women of Marawi to be strong. As women, we are the head of the household, we have amazing influence not only on our own families—as mothers, sisters, and friends— but also on our community.
“If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, once the rebuilding is complete, the morale of the community will stay strong and high.”
Gray was widely predicted to become the Philippines’ second Miss World winner but lost to Puerto Rico’s Stephanie del Valle in a controversial decision in Miss World 2016.
Nonetheless, the 5-foot-10 beauty was still determined to represent the Philippines again on an international beauty pageant stage by joining Binibining Pilipinas and aiming for the highest title.
This year’s new set of Binibining Pilipinas queens are Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas-International, Karen Gallman, Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental, Michelle Gumabao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe, Eva Psychee Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International, and Jehza Huelar, Bb Pilipinas Supranational. Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton and Samantha Bernardo were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters made her traditional farewell walk and relinquished her crown along with former queens Bb. Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Katarina Rodriguez, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Durado Clenci and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Chanel Olive Thomas.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Richard Gutierrez and Nicole Cordoves acted as hosts of the pageant night, telecast on ABS-CBN.
The judges included Novotel GM Mike Brown, actor Gerald Anderson, volleyball star Alyssa Valdez , ABS-CBN’s Martin Lopez, basketball player Thirdy Ravena, news anchor Ces Drilon, Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, and Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Victor Hugo Echiverri.
