Philippines is Miss Universe 2018

Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe


Joel Guinto
ABS-CBN NEWS | 17 December 2018

BANGKOK -- Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe here Monday, capping a two-year long journey from her heartbreaking loss at Miss World to her rise as visionary beauty queen and social media star.

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray is crowned Miss Universe during the final round of the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, December 17, 2018. Athit Perawongmetha, Reuters

The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian won the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown, pulling all the stops from a giant lantern strapped to her back, a slow-motion twirl in a hot pink bikini, and a long gown in flame hues that symbolized a mythical Filipino bird.

Fans screamed at the IMPACT Arena here as outgoing Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel Peters from South Africa crowned her successor.

Pia Wurtzbach last won the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in 2015 and the succeeding edition was hosted in Manila.

Tamaryn Green of South Africa was first runner-up followed by Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez.

During the final question, Gray was asked "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?"

She replied: "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is... it's poor and very sad. And I've always taught myself to look for the beauty of it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces. Thank you."

FROM THE WORLD TO THE UNIVERSE

Only 2 years ago, Gray was widely tipped to win the Miss World crown, a campaign that ended in defeat to Puerto Rico's Stephanie del Valle.

A photo of Gray weeping, clutching the Philippine flag close to her chest, made the rounds on social media platforms.

Miss World Philippines head Cory Quirino stepped down after Gray's defeat and the Philippines struggled to make the winner's circle of the London-based pageant since then.

Gray reemerged in January for the Binibining Pilipinas screenings, trading the high bun for long curls and the baby pink dress for a short red dress.

In an Instagram post at that time, Gray said much of her transformation happened away from the public eye.

The self-described "stubborn" and "visionary" beauty enlisted the help of a new team and went outside her old mentors' circle, which was largely behind the Philippines' hot streak at Miss Universe since Venus Raj broke the 10-year semifinals drought and finished in the top 5 in 2010.

The Philippines has made at least Top 10 at Miss Universe since Raj's breakthrough performance in Las Vegas. This year, the country's Miss International bet, Ahtisa Manalo placed first runner while Celeste Cortesi finished top 8 in Miss Earth.

FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Gray has 1 million followers on Instagram and her photo on the Miss Universe Facebook page was liked or loved by over 600,000 users, the most for any candidate.

She made ear cuffs a conversation piece when she wore a gold and diamond "three stars and the sun" on her right ear during her Miss Universe-Philippines crowning.

From there, her every move was rife with nationalist symbolism.

Her national costume, while difficult to walk in, paid homage to the Philippines' 3 main islands. A government body praised Gray for highlighting Filipino civilization before the Spanish occupation with her 'pintados' body suit.

Her fire orange and yellow gown stood out from a sea of sheer and gold tones, symbolizing both the Ibong Adarna, which can cure with song, and the rising phoenix from which the Miss Universe crown by Japanese jeweler Mikimoto was patterned after.

Filipino designers dress Miss Universe candidates

12 Miss Universe 2018 Candidates Wore Gowns by Filipino Designers to the Prelims 

Yanna Lopez 

Preview PH | 14 December 2018

Pinoy pride! 

Filipino fashion talent shone at the Miss Universe 2018 preliminaries night, held just yesterday, December 13, in Bangkok, Thailand. The glittering evening saw seven beauties from all across the globe wear evening gowns by some of our most talented designers! Talk about world-class style. Check 'em out right here.

But of course! Our very own Miss Philippines Catriona Gray had jaws dropping as she strutted in an opulent Ibong Adarna-inspired creation by Mak Tumang. Of the sparkling, flame-hued frock, Catriona said, "This makes it a fitting symbol of resilience, rising, and rebirth." Gorgeous and symbolic.

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Remember when Miss Canada Marta Magdalena Stepien flew all the way to Dubai to walk Michael Cinco's latest runway? Well, she was also there to personally pick up the figure-skimming gold evening gown he made for her! She looked positively regal.

Miss Ecuador Virginia Limongi definitely made the right choice when she donned this tasteful, elegant Mark Bumgarner piece. What a goddess.

We love how Miss Japan Yuumi Kato veered away from the usual beauty queen glitz in a classic, understated Joel Escober ballgown in a faint, delicate color of a petal's blush. A timeless look in our book.

Here's Miss Kenya Wabaiya Kariuki looking absolutely ethereal while floating down the stage in flowing white Jian Lasala. A sheer, shimmering dream!

Our favorite thing about the gossamer dress House of Bea Bianca spun for Miss Nepal Manita Devkota is that pleasantly surprising touch of swingin' fringe!

Iloilo-based designer Sidney Eculla created a halter-necked gown in fiery, feathered scarlet that Miss New Zealand Estelle Curd totally, completely owned. 

Joey Galon spun a Swarovski-embellished dream for Miss Belize Jenelli Fraser. No better way to show off those stems that with a ski-high slit!

Living for this cheerful color pop! Miss Guam Athena McNinch wore a bright marigold Paolo Blanco number.

We never knew green could look this good. Watch Miss Malta Francesca Mifsud glide in emerald Ivanka Hipolito.

Can you hear our chrome hearts throbbing? Benj Leguiab IV swathed Miss Nicaragua Adriana Paniagua in stunning silver. The long sleeves are an elegant touch.

Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat was a vision in red clad in sparkling Rian Fernandez!

Miss Japan Universe 2018 Filipino designed costume

Miss Japan to wear all Filipino designs in Miss 

Universe


Luis Carlo San Juan
Inquirer.net
30 November 2018

Gold mesh dress with gold chain straps, embellished with crystals; dirty-gold bib collar embellished with five-centavo coins, Jude Macasinag

As Miss Universe 2018 delegates begin arriving in Bangkok, Thailand, for the pageant, Lifestyle learned that one contestant has chosen to wear the designs of Filipino designers.

Miss Japan, Yuumi Kato, will wear these in the pageant.

The organizing body of Miss Japan has a new national director for Miss Universe this year, Hiroko Mima. Mima competed for Japan in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Vietnam.

Mima belonged to a batch of Miss Japan titleholders who wore European designers—Gucci, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Valentino. This was under the watch of then national director, Ines Ligron, a French national.

Mima has opted to go another path. “A luxury gown won’t stand out on the Miss Universe stage,” she said. At the same time, she doesn’t want the typical beauty-queen look.

Printed maxi dress, Joel Escober

“I want to bring back the edginess of Miss Japan, but still looking elegant,” she said.

Mima thought, who better to know how to make a statement in the Miss Universe than Filipino designers, whose designs are a mix of western and eastern sensibilities. Filipino designers also know the pageant really well, she added.

“Filipino designers have a way of making Asian women look sexy but elegant,” she said.

The only “Made in Japan” item in Kato’s wardrobe will be her national costume.

With the help of Filipino friends, including this writer, Mima met with a handful of designers—both up-and-coming and established

They included Rhett Eala, Jun Escario, Joel Escober, KC Pusing, Marv Dawson and a few student designers from Slim’s.