Is her final answer too good to be true?
Or are we just overthinking?
For us Filipinos, beauty pageants exceed the notion of a mere contest judged by one’s aesthetic attributes, traits, talent and intelligence. Beauty pageants has since evolved into a symbol of hope – and hope we have every time the carpet rolls out and the beauties of the universe make their way onto the spotlight.
This year, Catriona Gray brought home the shiniest crown in the universe. Gray’s epic ‘lava walk’ made the country proud as she was crowned Miss Universe 2018 during the competition held at Bangkok, Thailand, Monday.
Indeed, no one can deny that the 24-year-old Filipina-Australian beauty deserved the crown. She was the epitome of a queen – grand, regal and passionate.
Despite the applause, many found her final answer overly superfluous.
For Dane Rhea Sillo, 23, Diwa ng Davao 2016, who has followed Gray’s journey to the crown, “There’s something in her that’s super powerful. Her answer proved that. Her heart is burning with passion to make everyone around her better”.
The standard question focused on the most important lesson she learned and how she will apply the same to her time as Miss Universe.
Her answer garnered mixed emotions – from smileys to frowns to questioning emoticons, it was a feast of opinions.
For Dabawenyo Ruel Morales, a Miss Universe pageant follower since the 90s and does marketing on the side, “It was totally expected. People have high hopes on her”. He further shared, “She nailed every aspect of the competition. We have not seen a Miss Philippines who’s so determined and perhaps hungry for the crown.”
On the other hand, for Stella, an avid Dabawenya pageant follower who makes it her mission to watch every show, “Her answer is very safe. The moment she mentioned the words “grateful, negativity and children”, it was as though the crown was handed to her. But I still give it to her, she gave a most respected answer – despite the pressure, that is.”
