Senate hails Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray of the Philippines smiles after being crowned the new Miss Universe 2018 on Dec. 17, 2018 in Bangkok. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate resolutions were filed on Monday commending Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray for bringing “great honor, glory and recognition” to the Philippines and to the Filipino people.
The resolutions were endorsed as the Senate session resumed on Monday, Jan. 14, after a long holiday break.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, in Senate Resolution 975, cited Gray for besting 93 other candidates of the pageant held last December 17, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Whereas, Catriona Elisa Gray’s outstanding performance deserves to be commended and praised for the great honor, glory and recognition brought to our country and the Filipino people,” Sotto’s resolution stated.
Meanwhile, the resolution filed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri highlighted Gray’s volunteer work for the children in the slums of Tondo, Manila through the non-government organization Young Focus Philippines.
“Whereas, Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray clinched the crown for the country with her empathic answer to the final question, where, when asked for the most important lesson she has learned in life, she brought up the plight of impoverished children in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and a necessity of using her platform as a spokesperson to help these children see a more hopeful future,” Zubiri said.
The 25-year-old beauty queen is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe title after Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973 and Gloria Diaz in 1969.
Gray’s recent victory placed the Philippines in the fourth spot in the list of countries with the most number of Miss Universe crowns.
USA has the most Miss Universe titles with eight, followed by Venezuela with seven and Puerto Rico with five.
Gray recently flew to New York City where she will be based during her reign. /gsg
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