PINATUNAYAN ng Filipino-Australian model-singer na si Catriona Elisa Gray na suwerte ang number 13 nang siya ang koronahan bilang Miss World Philippines 2016 sa televised beauty pageant na ginanap sa makasaysayang Manila Hotel nitong nakaraang Linggo ng gabi.

Magiging kinatawan si Catriona, 22, ng Pilipinas sa ika-66 na Miss World beauty pageant na gaganapin sa Washington, USA, sa Disyembre 20. Ang Miss World ay ang longest-running beauty contest sa kasaysayan.

“When No. 13 was assigned to me, I was a bit apprehensive. But I will prove them that 13 is a lucky number,” kuwento ng dalaga, sa coronation ball para sa mga nanalo sa patimpalak sa Champagne Room ng Manila Hotel.

At napatunayan nga niya ito nang siya ang mag-uwi ng korona.

Ang iba pang mga nanalo ay sina: Arienne Louise Calingo, 1st Princess; Ivanna Kamil Pacis, 2nd Princess; Marah Munoz, 3rd Princess; at Sandra Lemonon, 4th Princess.

Sa question and answer portion, tinanong ang Top 5 candidates ng pangkaraniwang tanong na, “Why should you be Miss World Philippines?”

Ang sagot ni Catriona: “To be a Miss World is to carry the torch with passion and purpose. If I were to become Miss World Philippines, I would dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alive which is my personal advocacy, the Paraiso Bright Beginning Project. And I would focus on passing this torch to empower others because I believe together there is no darkness in our world we cannot overcome.”

Tinalo ng beauty queen-blogger ang iba pang 24 na kandidata. Hinubog at sinanay si Gray sa ilalim ng Aces and Queens beauty camp na pinamumunuan ni Jonas Gaffud, ang grupo ring tumulong sa kasalukuyang Miss Universe na si Pia Wurtzbach at 2013 Miss World na si Megan Young.

Nanalo rin ng special awards si Catriona -- Miss Manila Hotel, Miss Hannah, Fashion Runway Award, Best in Swimsuit at Best In Long Gown. Habang nakatanggap naman si Lemonon ng Miss Photogenic award.

BABAENG MARAMING INTEREST

Inihayag ni Catriona na ang kanyang mga hobby ay sketching, pagpipinta, traveling, pagsusulat, photography, music, at pagluluto. Black belter din siya ng Choi Kwang Do, mahilig sa outdoor recreation at outdoor sports. Mayroon na siyang boyfriend.

Bilang nag-iisang anak, nagtungo si Catriona para magkolehiyo sa Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts at nagtapos ng master certificate in music theory.

“As an only child, I’m very close with my parents. Not only are they my role models, they are my best friends. I’m blessed that they are so supportive of my every endeavor,” aniya.

May height na 5’9 ½, lumaki siya sa Australia, at doon nahubog ang kanyang malalim na pagpapahalaga sa kalikasan, aktibong pamumuhay, at ang kaugaliang “no worries.”

Sa kanyang late teens, nagtungo si Gray sa Asia at naging isa sa sought-after commercial models, at lumabas sa regional at global campaigns pati na rin sa iba’t ibang magazine cover. Nagsisimula rin siya maging songwriter at singer, at may sariling negosyo, at isang artist.

“I’ve worked mostly as a creative and talent in my career. My most memorable jobs are when I’ve been able to travel-working with new people in new surroundings always create great experience,” ani Gray.

‘PARAISO’ ADVOCACY

Mayroong blog si Gray, ang Cat’ Elle (hango sa kanyang pangalan na Catriona at Elisa), na tungkol sa mga outfit, beauty, at lifestyle. Ibinabahagi rin niya sa kanyang blog ang mga biyahe niya sa buong mundo at sa ilang bahagi ng bansa.

Para sa kanyang adbokasiya sa Miss World contest, itinatag niya ang “Paraiso: The Bright Beginnings Project” para makalikom ng pondo para sa preschool sa Smokey Mountain sa Tondo, Manila.

“Through multiple efforts such as holding and performing at benefit concerts, auctioning off original artworks, creating social media movements and approaching different bodies and companies I hope to make the Paraiso:

Beginning’s Project a success,” aniya.

Dagdag pa ni Gray: “This would allow the number of preschool aged students to grow from 80 to 300. Securing this building will allow the young children to have access to a free learning environment – a chance and opportunity that every child is entitled too.” (ROBERT R. REQUINTINA)