Catriona Gray (L) and Pia Wurtzbach. Image: Instagram/@piawurtzbach
Pia Wurtzbach thanked fellow Filipino Miss Universe winner Catriona Gray for raising the Philippines’ flag, as the latter prepares to crown her successor tomorrow, Dec. 9.
“My last night as reigning @missuniverse and my emotions are all over the place,” Gray said in her Instagram post today, Dec. 8.
“But underneath the noise, the underlying tone is gratitude,” she explained. Gratitude for this amazing opportunity… for all of you amazing souls who have endlessly supported me and joined me on this journey.”
She added that her message during the coronation of the next Miss Universe tomorrow night is dedicated to her supporters.
Gray accompanied her post with a photo of a magazine spread featuring her in a lilac dress next to her message for her fellow Filipinos.
“It is one of my life’s greatest honors to bring pride to my beloved Philippines,” she stated in the magazine. “I will forever continue to carry and to raise our flag.”
Wurtzbach then chimed in to congratulate Gray on her reign as Miss Universe 2018.
“An amazing Miss Universe,” Wurtzbach said. “You set the bar so high! Congratulations, Cat!”
“You really inspired so many people, including me!” she added. “Thank you for raising our flag [Philippines flag emoji].”
Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray
Gray is the fourth Filipino beauty queen to bag the prestigious crown. This year, 23-year-old Gazini Ganados hopes to win the international pageant again for the country. If Ganados succeeds, the Philippines would be the second country to have a back-to-back victory after Venezuela. JB
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