Catriona helps poor children even before joining pageants — NGO

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has opened her heart to the poor children in the Philippines even before she joined international beauty pageants.

Some of the people whose lives were touched by Catriona shared their stories in the report of Mariz Umali on GMA's 24 Oras on Monday.

"Nai-inspire din po kaming mag-aral talaga dahil sa kaniya. Siya po 'yung dahilan kung bakit kami nandito ngayon," said Cristina Florentino, a youth beneficiary of the Young Focus Foundation which Catriona helps.

Around 1,000 students have been reached by the non-government organization through the help of the Fil-Australian beauty.

Catriona also teaches the students how to read.

"What's striking is talagang pumupunta siya doon sa mga bata namin kahit maputik, maulan, madumi 'yung kapaligiran," said Ryan Dorol, senior high coordinator of Young Focus.

Even some parents of the beneficiaries said they were inspired to be better versions of themselves because of Catriona's good works. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News