Miss Puerto Rico Stephanie Del Valle (C) reacts to being named Miss World as Miss Philippines Catriona Elisa Gray (L) and Miss Kenya Evelyn Njambi Thungu watch during the Miss World 2016 Competition in Oxen Hill, Maryland, U.S., December 18, 2016. (REUTERS)
CATRIONA Elise Gray, the Philippines’ bet to Miss World 2016, might have lost the crown to Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico, but the 22-year-old Bicolana beauty has given the country a good, impressive fight.
Catriona landed on the top five of Miss World 2016 during the grand coronation night held at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, USA last Sunday. She also won the Multimedia Challenge.
During the final question-and-answer portion, Catriona has impressed the judges and the crowd as she gave her piece when asked by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna, “Which qualities do you think it will take to wear my crown?”
“I think, first of all, it takes bravery,” she started.
Miss Philippines Catriona Elisa Gray is pictured during the Grand Final of the Miss World 2016 pageant at the MGM National Harbor December 18, 2016 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. / AFP PHOTO / ZACH GIBSON
“To be a Miss World is to carry a burning torch, it is the action carried out by one to illuminate the lives of many and I would dedicate my whole self; my love for the arts; and my voice to try and uplift, empower and educate people. And it would be my greatest honor and duty to hold this torch high enough so that all the world could feel and see its light,” answered Catriona.
Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain relinquished her crown to the 19-year-old Puerto Rican. Yaritza Reyes of Dominican Republic and Natasha Mannuela of Indonesia, placed first and second runners up, respectively. Catriona was third runner-up while Evelyn Tungu of Kenya was fourth runner-up.
Some netizens who weren’t happy with the results expressed their frustrations online. But not Catriona’s mentor and premier beauty queen trainor, Jonas Gaffud of Aces and Queens and CEO of Mercator Models, who has trained beauty queens such as Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza and reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
“Hey c’mon Philippines. If we won, no hatred on social media right? But we did not. Let’s be proud as Filipinos and pageant fans of our girl Catriona Gray. For us, she will be always our Miss World. But there are other families, friends and fans who root for their girls as well. I exchanged pleasantries with an older guy who was so proud of Miss Puerto Rico and he told me, he’s the father. I was touched by how happy he was for his daughter. Remember this: WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS WORLD. THERE ARE OTHERS. #beasport,” he wrote in his lengthy Instagram post.
On another post, Jonas expressed how proud he is of Catriona for making it to the top five and emphasized that he will not be posting any rants on her timeline, “just positive, congratulatory remarks.”
The Miss World 2016 grand coronation was hosted by Miss World 2013 and actress Megan Young.