Catriona Gray on Miss Universe experience: 'Unforgettable, life-changing, and purposeful'
Before she turns over her crown, reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray was given the platform to describe her year being the face of the organization.
She says, “Three words that would describe my reign as Miss Universe? Unforgettable, life-changing, and purposeful.
“We're given this amazing platform to voice the things we're passionate about, to voice the things we care about.”
She also elaborated on how being an active volunteer in Tondo, Manila served as an eye-opener because that's when she realized her real purpose in life.
“Being a volunteer in the slums of Manila really changed my life and gave me purpose. I saw how education gave the potential to change the lives of children and also change the lives of a family, and therefore the community.
“I would ask these kids, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' So many have said, 'You know, Cat? I want to be a teacher.'
“And that really did make such an impact on me because they want to be the change that they receive and I thought that was magical.
“I've definitely grown so much this year, I always had a voice but Miss Universe allowed me to amplify it.”
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will be crowning her successor today, December 9 Manila time, at Atlanta, Georgia.
The Philippines's very own Gazini Ganados ends her Miss Universe 2019 journey as she failed to crack the pageant's Top 10 earlier today (December 8).
As of this writing, the Miss Universe 2019 coronation night is still ongoing.