Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray
When Catriona Gray was asked during the Miss Universe pageant in December what she would call a song dedicated to her journey to the crown, the music degree holder said “Raise Your Flag.”
The title, part of her now famous quip about representing “104 million Filipinos” on the global stage, has now seen the light of day through a song composed especially for her by the tandem of Jonathan Manalo and Trisha Denise.
Jonathan is responsible for the “Pinoy Big Brother” anthem, “Pinoy Ako,” performed by Orange and Lemons, and Angeline Quinto’s victory theme, “Patuloy ang Pangarap,” for the “Star Power” singing tilt.
Trisha, meanwhile, is a rising singer-composer who dished out the tunes, ”Mahalaga” and “Sunshine.”
Their song “Raise Your Flag” debuted in the tribute show mounted for the international beauty queen dubbed “Raise Your Flag for Catriona Gray,” staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Feb. 24.
KZ Tandingan lent her raspy vocals to the upbeat anthem, which included a rap verse from Kritiko.
The queen was also seen singing along to the catchy song onstage as KZ and Kritiko traded vocal chops in front of the ecstatic crowd, made up mostly of “Catrionians,” who trooped to the Big Dome to celebrate her victory more than two months after besting over 90 other aspirants in Bangkok, Thailand.
The two-hour musical extravaganza also featured the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Ria Osorio.
The program had an explosive start, with the TNT Boys sharing the stage with Jed Madela and Morissette Amon.
From left: Jed Madela, TNT Boys and Morissette Amon
The trio of young boys sang Sara Bareilles’ “Brave,” while Morissette belted out Andra Day’s “Rise Up.”
Jed gave a powerful rendition of Calum Scott’s “You are the Reason,” before closing the number with The Script’s “Hall of Fame,” together with Morissette and the boys.
Rocker Bamboo, meanwhile, serenaded the queen with the Rivermaya hit, “214.”
ABS-CBN and the Binibining Pilipinas Charities also threw a similar tribute show for 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach in January 2016, which was graced by a slew of former titleholders.
Pia made an appearance in what may be considered another highlight of Catriona’s show, the parade of Filipino Miss Universe bets and other Bb. Pilipinas titleholders.
Sashaying in a voluminous white and red ensemble by Anthony Ramirez, Pia led the pack of beauties, which included Miss Universe runners-up Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Ariella Arida, finalist Maxine Medina and semifinalists MJ Lastimosa and Rachel Peters.
Bb. Pilipinas runners-up Angelica Alita, Vickie Rushton and Samantha Bernardo also took to the stage, along with reigning queens Michelle Gumabao and Jehza Huelar.
“Pinoy Big Brother” grand winner Maymay Entrata also walked the runway with the queens, and was featured in a pretaped segment which traced back Catriona’s preparations for the Miss Universe pageant.
Catriona also showed she has a humorous side in an interesting tête-à-tête with Vice Ganda, holding her own in an exchange of witty banter with the TV host.
Catriona (left) with Vice Ganda
The beauty queen shared her thoughts about the contest and her competitors, as well as some anecdotes while she was in Thailand for the competition.
She also left this message for aspiring beauty queens: “We’re not perfect. And it’s OK because perfect doesn’t exist.”
Catriona also dedicated her victory to the people who motivated her to seek a bigger platform, the beneficiaries of the nongovernment organization Young Focus in Tondo, Manila, some of whom offered her flowers onstage.
Some members of Young Focus offer Catriona flowers onstage.
Those who missed the tribute show can catch its special telecast on March 10 on ABS-CBN, on “Sunday’s Best” after “Gandang Gabi Vice.”