Why Catriona Gray won Miss World Philippines title? ‘Judge’ Panelo explains

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday was all praises for Catriona Elisa Gray, who charmed her way to the Miss World Philippines 2016 crown on Sunday.

Describing Gray as the "runaway favorite and winner," Panelo said the Filipino-Australian stunner captivated the judges, including himself, with her beauty, physique, elegance, and intelligence.

"The winner deserved it. In fact, she's the runaway favorite and winner, you know why? Unang una, stand out siya, ang tangkad tangkad niya. Pangalawa, ang gandang ganda ng mukha niya. Pangatlo, ang galing kahit anong suot niya. Pang apat, which is more important, matalino siya," the Cabinet official said on the sidelines of a media forum in Manila.

Panelo said that the "hardest" question during the interview portion went to Gray yet the 22-year-old model and singer still came up with an excellent response.

During the first Q&A round, Gray was asked, "When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, who do you see?"

Her reply: "I see someone who is constantly trying to be better. I always endure to always be better than the day before, to do things that challenge me, to do things outside the box, and something that is very fulfilling that I have found is when I look in the mirror I want to see someone who gives back to the community and that's someone I achieve to be every single day."

"Mahirap na tanong 'yun, ang galing ng sagot niya," said Panelo, who admitted that he has served as judge in "many" beauty contests in the past.

Gray, who hails from Albay, also grabbed nearly all of the six special awards handed out during the coronation night, including Best in Long Gown and Best in Swimsuit.

Panelo was joined in the judges' table by 11 other personalities including Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, model and health advocate Tweetie De Leon-Gonzales, actor-model Fabio Ide, former Tarlac Governor and philanthropist Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, and Panama's Ambassador to the Philippines Rolando Anibal Guevarra Alvarado.

Gray will attempt to win the country's second Miss World crown in Washington D.C. on December 18.

She succeeded Hillarie Parungao who made it to the top 10 in last year's edition of the oldest international beauty pageant. —NB, GMA News