Catriona Gray spreads love and joy during the Miss Universe Charity Day

Catriona Gray on Wednesday finally had the opportunity to visit the organizations she has supported, way before she became Miss Universe 2018. 

Catriona first visited the Tondo children, who was the source of inspiration for her well-known answer in the Q&A portion of the Miss Universe pageant.

Young Focus Foundation, a Tondo-based nongovernment organization supporting the youth community, thanked Catriona for the massive attention she has brought to the Tondo community.

Catriona said that she was simply happy that she was finally able to celebrate her win with the children. "I hope I made you all proud," she told the kids.

She then moved to Mandaluyong City to visit the volunteers and staff of LoveYourself, Inc., an organization that provides HIV screening, education, and counselling.

The Miss Universe stood with the volunteers in their fight to remove the stigma surrounding HIV, promoting to the public the need for education on HIV.

READ: Catriona Gray: 'HIV a health condition, not a person’s definition'

A LoveYourself volunteer-ambassador for two years now, Catriona said, "It shouldn't be associated with all this fear. It should be seen just like getting your heart check up, your blood sugar check up."

Later on, Catriona met the children of Smile Train in the Philippine Band of Mercy, Quezon City, to spread awareness about the lives of children affected by clefts and the available treatments and surgeries.

The Miss Universe Organization has had a partnership with Smile Train since 2016.

Also present in the event is Binibining Pilipinas Charity Inc. Head Stella Marquez Araneta, who got emotional after hearing the journey of the children.

The beauty queen ended her day by visiting children, who have been orphaned in the campaign against illegal drugs, and who are under the Program for the Orphans of the Abot Kayamy Alang-Alang sa Pagbabago (AKAP) Pamilya Program.

In St. Peter's Church, Quezon City, Catriona told the children that they should never forget that they are loved and wanted, and that amongst everything, they still have a family with the people around them.

Catriona showed her enthusiasm as she danced with the children in one of the dance numbers. She proceeded to interact with the children on a more personal level and distributed food and gifts at the end.

— LA, GMA News