BAGO ihayag ang nagwagi sa katatapos lamang na grand coronation ng Miss Universe 2018, ay hindi umano sigurado ng newly-crowned Miss Universe na si Catriona Gray kung siya ang mananalo. Ginanap ang 67th edition ng Miss Universe sa Bangkok, Thailand nitong Lunes.

“It doesn’t feel like it, [it] has sunk in pa, e, parang, parang dream state pa ako, e,” sagot ng Filipino-Australian beauty queen sa interview ng ABS-CBN reporter na si Dyan Castillejo, ilang sandali matapos siyang hiranging Miss Universe 2018.

Inusisa si Catriona kung kailan niya nalaman na siya ang magiging bagong Miss Universe.

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“When I was announced as Miss Universe,” nakangiti niyang sagot.

Paliwanag ni Catriona, alam niyang mahuhusay ang kanyang mga kalaban sa Top 3—sina Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green (first runner-up) at Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutierrez (second runner-up).

“Because the girls that I was with—South Africa, Venezuela—they have such high caliber too.

“So it was still a guessing game for me. I didn’t know [I was going to win].”

Hindi siya sure na mananalo siya, kahit na paborito siya ng marami?

“Hindi,” sagot niya.

“Top 3, when we were announced and then waiting for the announcement, I was just praying.

“I was just looking out to the people, because that’s what I remind myself—that’s what I’m here.

“As long as I’ve made them proud then, I’ve done my duty.”

Ikinuwento rin ni Catriona na nagkaroon ng premonisyon noon ang kanyang inang si Mita Magnayon-Gray na mananalo siya sa Miss Universe.

Kuwento ng dalaga, sinabi raw sa kanya ng ina, “‘I dreamed you would do this.’

“If anyone knew, back when I was 13 years old, my mom used to watch Miss Universe all the time.

“And then she said, ‘I had a dream that you won Miss Universe in a red dress.’”

Itinanghal na Miss Universe si Catriona na suot ang red evening gown na likha ni Mak Tumang. Nagpaabot naman ng pasasalamat si Catriona sa lahat ng kanyang Filipino supporters.“Sa lahat ng supporters ko, maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

“Grabe! ‘Yung journey [na] ito, I couldn’t have done it without your love, your support, and everything that you have given me in the form of comments and kind words.

“Grabe talaga! This is all for you.

“I can’t wait to go home and celebrate with you all. Mahal ko kayo, sobra,” sabi pa ng bagong Miss Universe.