
Former Miss Universe Catriona Gray is known for her advocacy in promoting Filipino culture to the world. She regularly travels around the country looking for individuals and local businesses that deserve to be promoted.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the beauty queen was able to travel to Zamboanga to film her Raise Your Flag Series for her YouTube channel.
This series aims to promote the local products of the Philippines. Her previous video was all about La Union.
“Our second chapter of our Raise Your Flag series takes me to Zamboanga, Mindanao, and I cant [sic] wait to spotlight our proudly owned and made Filipino products and businesses on my platforms to hopefully encourage you to all join me in our efforts to support our countrymen,” she said in her Instagram last Oct. 7 when she arrived in Zamboanga.
During this trip, she met one of the cultural icons of the city, Zalma Ballati. She is a master weaver of the Yakan Village, making traditional garments.
“Such an honor to have the opportunity to meet Zalma Ballati, siya ang Master Weaver of Yakan Village, Zamboanga City 🇵🇭 Bilang isang 'Master Weaver', alam niya ang pitong klaseng disenyo ng Yakan. At gumagawa rin siya ng sarili niyang disenyo. She was taught by her mother, and she in turn is passing down the art of yakan weaving to this generation,” Catriona says in the caption of her latest Instagram post.
Catriona looking at masks made of traditional weaves. | catriona_gray (IG)
“You can directly support the Yakan community in Zamboanga that is made up of 40 families, by purchasing their handmade and hand woven products. Nakakatuwa yung feeling, kasi kapag magpurchase ka, alam mo na you're supporting a community and a craft that is uniquely Filipino.”