PH bet Catriona Gray flies to Thailand for Miss Universe 2018

“Off to Thailand to represent my beautiful country the Philippines in Miss Universe. Philippines, mahal kita. I hope to make you proud.” (Photo: @catriona_gray/Instagram)

Twenty-four-year-old Filipino-Australian Catriona Gray waved the Philippine flag to her fans at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as she embarked on her journey to Thailand, where she will compete for the Miss Universe 2018 competition.

Last Wednesday, November 28, The singer/actress/host from Albay posted a photo of herself dressed in a Thai-inspired green and black jumpsuit by Anthony Ramirez, accessorized with ornament shell earrings from Vida Lim jewelry. Her stylist Ton Lao and shoe designer Jojo Bragais accompanied her to the airport, along with the staff of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI).

The photo is captioned, “Off to Thailand to represent my beautiful country the Philippines in [Miss Universe]. Philippines, mahal kita. I hope to make you proud.” In a separate post of her writing a Christmas card on the airplane, she dedicates to her parents, saying, “Venturing off on an adventure of a lifetime and my thoughts turn back to the people who believed in me since the very beginning. Mum and Dad, thank you for always lifting me up and guiding me to become the woman I am today.

Although you couldn’t be here to see me off, I wanted to #PutItIntoWords. I love you both so much. See you in Thailand.”

Last July 31, Catriona shared her excitement on the news that the pageant will take place in Bangkok, where she previously visited, stating, “Sawasdee Ka Thailand! So excited that the rumors are true and that it’s finally official!

” adding, with a video of herself at the Wat Rong Khun Temple dressed in traditional Thai attire, “So excited to go back to one of my favorite travel destinations!”

Catriona is now fighting to follow the footsteps of Pia Wurtzbach, who won the prestigious pageant in 2015 and is the Philippines’ third Miss Universe. Gloria Diaz was the first Filipina crowned Miss Universe back in 1969, followed by Margarita Moran in 1973. Prior to her winning the Binibining Pilipinas Universe crown in Manila last January, Catriona also represented the country in Miss World 2016, where she finished within the Top 5.

The Miss Universe competition is scheduled to air on Sunday, December 17, where reigning queen Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa will crown her successor.