Catriona Gray has been living up to the Miss World pageant’s ethos “Beauty with a Purpose” long before she won the crown.
Working with an education-centered NGO called Young Focus, the 22-year-old beauty queen is helping to give “children and youth [in Smokey Mountain] the opportunity to develop intellectually as well as creatively and socially.”
Her most recent project is raising funds for the local preschool through auctions of her original artworks, benefit concerts, and enlisting the help of various organizations. She also uses social media as platform to raise awareness, dubbing the campaign Paraiso: Beginning’s Project.
“I would dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight…”
She also uses her Instagram account, which is followed by 29,000 people, as a channel to share her passion.
“Please be mindful today when reflecting on your week, that there are families just like your own living in conditions like this,” she wrote alongside a photo taken during one of her volunteer trips to Smokey Mountain. “Let’s work together to end the cycle of poverty.”
She echoed the same sentiments in her answer during the Miss World Philippines pageant’s Q&A portion.
“To be a Miss World is to be passed a torch that burns with passion and purpose. If I am to become Miss World Philippines, I would dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight, such as my advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project, and I would focus on passing on this torch to empower others,” she said with pride. “Because I believe together, there is no darkness in this world that our light cannot overcome.”
When asked who she sees in the mirror every time she gets up in the morning, she answered: “I see someone who is constantly trying to be better. I always endure to be better than the day before, to do things that challenge me, to do things outside the box,” stressed Catriona. “And something that is very fulfilling that I have found is that when I look in the mirror and I want to see someone who gives back to the community, and that’s someone who I achieve to be every single day.”
Learn more about Catriona Gray on the next page
The Filipino-Australian beauty was born to a Bicolana mom, Normita Ragas Magnayon, who hails from Oas Town, Albay. She’s now based in Queensland, Australia.
photo: Mita Gray Facebook
In an interview with Rappler, Mayor Domingo Escoto said that Catriona’s family lived in Oas Town before migrating abroad. “Catriona’s clan in Oas are musicians and from respected family,” she stated. “We’re preparing for victory homecoming for our very own beauty queen.”
Catriona took to Facebook to express her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported her along her journey.
“Today is the first day of a very exciting journey as your new Miss World Philippines. It doesn’t feel real yet – typing this as it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I’m in the middle of a whirlwind of emotions, but in the afterglow of last nights events, the remaining feelings of excitement and gratitude are the most prominent,” wrote Catriona on Facebook. “THANK YOU to my family for always supporting me on every endeavour that I choose.”
Aside from winning the crown, Catriona was also named Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Fashion Runway, Miss Hannah’s Beach Resort, and Miss Manila Hotel.
She will be competing in the Miss World pageant in Washington, D.C. this coming December.
READ: What kids must learn to become ‘confidently beautiful with a heart’
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