PHILIPPINE-BET Catriona Gray will unveil her national costume at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant.
Catriona and 94 other contestants are in the thick of preparing for the pageant’s national costume show at the Nong Nooch International Convention Center in Pattaya, Thailand.
A sneak preview of the 24-year-old Bicolana beauty queen’s national costume is already making the rounds on social media.
Filipino pageant forum @powerhousepH posted on their Instagram account a photo of Catriona getting prepped up moments before the show.
The Filipino-Australian model is seen wearing Pintados-inspired national costume. Her mentor Carlos Buendia Jr. and fashion designer Jearson Demavivas referred to it as “LuzViMinda”—which represented the three major island groups in the Philippines namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
It also followed the theme “Magdiwang, Lumaban, Pagyamanin.”
In a series of Instagram stories, Carlos revealed how the three islands were depicted on Catriona’s costume.
“The island group of Luzon is represented by the world-renowned ‘PAROL/christmas lantern’ from the province of Pampanga with an aluminum border (designed and made in Floridablanca, Pampanga—the home of the Pinukpuk/aluminum).
“The BORDER’S design is inspired by designs from the Philippine Baroque Churches that were declared as UNESCO Heritage Sites.”
According to an Instagram post by Jearson, the Parol was made by Eric Quiwa, an artisan from Floriblanca, Pampanga.
Vogue Thailand also shared a sneak preview of Catriona’s national costume.
In one video, Catriona shared the inspiration behind her national costume, “My outfit is inspired by the three regions of the Philippines.
“I have hand-made brass accessories, headpiece, and brass belt from Mindanao. The body suit is from Visayas. My extra piece, which is over there, is from Luzon.”
A video posted on @titasofpageantry’s Instagram account shared a glimpse of the Christmas lanterninspired detail attached on the back of Catriona’s costume.
In an Instagram live video before the pageant, Catriona gave a hint of her national costume and said, “It’s never been done before by a Filipino candidate.
“And usually, the only hint that I give is that it’s buong Pilipinas or whole of Philippines but another hint that I’ll give just for this Facebook live is that a part of it represents Christmas.”
The grand coronation night of Miss Universe 2018 will be held on Monday, December 17, at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
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WHO AMONG the Miss Universe candidates with the most number of Instagram followers will win the Miss Universe 2018 crown? Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutierrez, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, and Miss Spain Angela Ponce currently hold the top three spots on the app.
The power social media has been turning people’s lives around, for better or for worse.
For the topic at hand, it is interesting to see if the influence of social network can help win the Miss Universe crown.
The beauty pageant is currently being held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Here are 15 Miss Universe candidates garnering the most number of followers on Instagram as of the morning of December 10.
Miss Greece Ioanna Bella: 159,039 followers.
A make-up artist and beauty therapist by profession, the 22-year-old model, according to her Miss Universe bio, has ties with with a non-profit organization endeavoring to build “a cancer hospital and a 500 housing relief project” for the flood victims in South India.
Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers: 161,701 followers.
This 24-year-old certified child life specialist has been involved with the National Eating Disorders Association since she was crowned Miss Nebraska USA in January 2018.
Her focus is to show how eating disorders, “the most fatal illness in the society,” greatly affect mental health.
Miss Albania Trejsi Sejdini: 162,970 followers.
One of the crowd favorites at this year’s competition, the 18-year-old professional model has made it a cause to snatch the first-ever Miss Universe crown for her beloved country.
Miss Lebanon Maya Reiady: 168,084 followers.
A fifth-year pharmacy student, 23-year-old Maya is a fluent speaker of four languages – English, Arabic, French, and Russian.
She hopes to win the Miss Universe crown and use her title “as a real sustainable movement for the women in the Middle East” and to help raise awareness to the “special needs population.”
Miss Ecuador Virginia Limongi Silva: 229,754 followers.
Twenty-four-year-old Virginia represented Ecuador in Miss World 2014.
The nutrition student also represented her country in Top Model of the World 2016.
Miss Indonesia Sonia Fergina Citra: 235,745 followers.
The 26-year-old Sonia beauty queen emphasizes the importance of self-defense among women to avoid “negative matters” that may arise anytime.
In an interview with missology.org, Miss Indonesia said she wanted to be remembered for her campaign about unity in diversity and tolerance in every situation.
Miss Brazil Mayra Dias: 258,392 followers.
A journalist, 27-year-old Mayra hopes to bring Amazonia’s environmental causes to the Miss Universe stage.
Miss Colombia Valeria Morales: 275,105 followers.
According to her official bio, 20-year-old Valeria is currently taking up Mass Media in Miami, Florida.
If crowned Miss Universe, she aspires to encourage education for all as she thinks it is the key to every person’s success.
Miss Panama Rosa Iveth Montezuma: 276,475 followers.
The first indigenous woman to be crowned Miss Panama, Rosa said the title “has been a platform for people to become aware that indigenous people are not just a group far from the city, and that they can achieve things.”
The 25-year-old Miss Universe candidate spent much of her life in a village without electricity.
In her interviews, she recalled having to cross rivers to get to her school.
Miss Costa Rica Natalia Carvajal: 280,600 followers.
The 28-year-old beauty queen practically grew up in front of the camera.
With her communication skills, she hopes to highlight issues that are vital for a healthier society.
Miss El Salvador Marisela De Montecristo: 312,559 followers.
Marisela is a television host, model, and actress.
The 26-year-old personality is busy with her non-profit group called Demontecristo Foundation that supports under-priviledged families and children with disabilities.
Miss Mexico Andrea Toscano: 314,895 followers.
As written in her Miss Universe bio, 20-year-old Andrea is working hard to make her passion project “Nourish a child, feed Mexico” reach more audience.
The project promotes nutritional education and is in the process of developing an app that will guide children to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Miss Spain Angela Ponce: 434,997 followers.
The first ever transgender woman to be crowned Miss Universe Spain, Angela campaigns to promote gender diversity and equality, and generally the attitude of tolerance and respect among people.
Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutierrez: 455,823 followers.
Hailing from Barcelona, 19-year-old Sthefany has one year left to graduate as a lawyer in her hometown. Miss Philippines Catriona Gray: 654,574 followers.
This 24-year-old Bicolana speaks for Love Yourself PH to advocate awareness of HIV/AIDS.
She also volunteers as a teacher’s assistant to help students of Young Focus NGO.
Prior to flying for Thailand, Catriona spent her time rediscovering the authentic beauty of the Philippines through travelling, researching, and “asking questions.”
Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa will crown her successor at Impact, Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok on December 17, 2018.
