Image: Instagram/@piawurtzbach
With the Philippines having won two Miss Universe titles just three years apart, it seems it cannot be helped to compare Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Comparing and contrasting do not always mean pitting one against the other, though. Talent manager and columnist Lolit Solis, for one, believes comparison between the two is a good thing.
Solis took to social media recently and shared her sentiments about the Miss Universe queens after hearing about the comments comparing the two.
“Maganda iyon mga comment comparing our 2 Miss Universe… Sinasabi na over the top ang security noon ni Ms. Pia Wurtzbach, habang kay Queen Catriona Gray daw ay mas mabait ang security,” Solis said via Instagram on Feb. 28. “Mas mabait daw [na] tao si Catriona kaysa kay Pia.”
Solis stressed that the two are titleholders of Miss Universe and have placed the country on the beauty queen map.
“Now kilala na Pilipinas pagdating sa beauty pageants at sure tuwing may pageant binabantayan na ng ibang countries kung sino ang candidate natin dahil sure na may laban agad,” she said.
Solis commended the two for their achievements and also mentioned Miss World 2013 Megan Young, who happens to be the Philippines first and only Miss World titleholder.
“Bongga ang nagawa ng halos magkadikit na panalo nila Pia at Catriona dahil nalagay nila sa mapa ang bayan natin pagdating sa beauty, at nanalo din sa elusive na Miss World si Megan Young.”
She also defended Wurtzbach regarding her security details, saying it is beyond the queen’s jurisdiction. Instead, she called on her readers to be happy and proud of Gray and Wurtzbach.
“Nasa organizer iyon, so hindi natin dapat i-blame sa kanila,” Solis said. “Basta happy tayo, proud, sa dalawa natin Miss Universe.”
Meanwhile, Wurtzbach has been nothing but supportive of Gray’s journey in becoming Miss Universe. She was present during Gray’s coronation in Bangkok, Thailand, and fawned over Gray’s famous lava walk on social media last December.
“This girl is on fire! You started strong and captured our hearts with your grace, commitment and fearlessness!” Wurtzbach wrote then. “And that walk… how could anyone forget that walk?”
Wurtzbach was also with Gray and other Miss Universe Philippines titleholders in Gray’s homecoming show, “Raise Your Flag,” last Feb. 24.
“Welcome home, @catriona_gray!” Wurtzbach wrote last Feb. 25. “Each and every Filipino is so proud of you! #RaiseYourFlag.” /ra
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