Celebrity Life

#BeyondTheCrown: Catriona Gray shares what it means to live a purposeful life

By Cara Emmeline Garcia
Published June 14, 2019 5:24 PM PHT
Updated June 14, 2019 5:44 PM PHT

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For Catriona Gray, life is about knowing your purpose and turning that purpose into something that would benefit others.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is back in the Philippines not just to crown her successor but also to give back to the charities and organizations that matter to her the most.

Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray

During a press conference with Frontrow Cares, Catriona, together with a few representatives from Young Focus and Love Yourself, shares with the media what it really means to live a purposeful life.

The reigning Miss Universe explains that a person's capacity to help others isn't limited to the money he has in his wallet.

“The resonating feeling is really a matter of heart,” she clarifies.

“I was working with these charity groups sitting beside me before I won Miss Universe and I don't think I would be the same person up on that stage had I not been working with them because it really changes your heart.

“People think you do charity work to help others but really, in turn, it helps you.”

By simply “sharing the message we are giving today or even talking to friends about these charities, or about any community-based organization near you,” Catriona says, “you are helping the movement.”

How cool is it that these young Filipinos and Filipinas can say that they've performed on the stage at Carnegie Hall?! 🇵🇭🎶 Thanks to Pinoys to the World: A Celebration of Filipino Musical Artistry (PMCIE) for giving these kids such an amazing opportunity to share their musical talent!! If you're in Manhattan NYC, you could still grab a ticket to watch tonight, May 31st at Carnegie Hall 💙💛❤ @missuniverse #MissUniverse

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At one point, Catriona realizes that the world of pageantry has elevated the image of charities on a wider scale.

And for Gray, charities help a person in a wholistic manner--emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

“[Charities] gives you a sense of self, of awareness, and gratitude,” she says.

“We all feel frustrated [at some point] but when you look at it in the perspective of, 'There is someone out there who has less than me' and it also gives you the perspective of, 'I am really blessed'.

“And when you see life in that way, you start seeing it with a really positive attitude compared to before.

“So, if you partake in any form of charity work or just being aware of doing small acts of kindness in your workplace, in your family, anything like that, you will start to have a change of heart. And I think that the world, especially the Philippines, could do with people having a change of heart.”

Happy I get to do what I love everyday. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and discover the beauty in the world around you. Conquer your fears along with your bucket list but always tred with a grateful heart and an attitude of service. 💙 Follow @reimagineph and learn how you can #ReimagineLife.

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Lastly, if Catriona has something to impart to future beauty queens who would be competing in the world stage, she says that it's all down to understanding your purpose in life.

She states, “We are on a path for a reason.

“'Cause when you come across roadblocks or come against a wall when pursuing a dream, you start to question, 'Why do I have this dream in the first place? Why does my heart want this?'

“So it's first trusting in God or having faith in yourself that you have that ambition in your heart in the first place.

“And the second would be that we all have a reason for being where we are.

“There's a bigger purpose and purpose for me comes from serving other people.”

The beauty queen then imparts that one “cannot just be up there for ourselves.”

“It's not fulfilling in the same way, I promise you.”

For Catriona, purpose is all “about being in a position and taking advantage of that position to give to others.

“That's when it becomes fulfilling work and you find your purpose as a person.”

Spoken like a true queen.

We all smile in the same language. ☺️ @smiletrainph @smiletrain 💙 Over 4000 children are born with cleft lip/palate every year in the Philippines...this can result in complications in breathing, consuming food and liquids and speaking difficulties along with lowered self confidence. @smiletrain's one goal: To Give Every Child the Chance to Smile 🤗 Smile Train is an international children's charity that supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally. Their sustainable model empowers local medical professionals to provide cleft care in their own communities. 🇵🇭 It only takes 45 minutes to conduct a life changing surgery that can change lives...just as the little girls I met at @smiletrainph hold up their before pictures. ☺️ For more information on cleft, centers near you and how you can donate visit https://www.smiletrain.ph or http://www.smiletrain.org 💙💛❤️ #MissUniverse @missuniverse

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