Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is back in the Philippines

“How I’m feeling now that there’s 3MILLION of you on this journey!” (Photo: @catriona_gray/Instagram)

Only a few days after she’s been crowned the new Miss Universe 2018, 24-year-old Catriona Gray flies back from Bangkok to Manila to partly fulfill her wish of “spending the holidays in the Philippines.”

The fourth crown winner of the country, Catriona was given celebrity treatment upon her arrival on Wednesday, December 19, flying in the private jet of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and landing on a rolled-out red carpet. Chavit’s daughter, architect Richelle Singson-Michael, was one of the judges of the Miss Universe competition.

At the airport, Catriona was greeted by the media, fans, and her Young Focus organization family. She tells the press, “I’m so happy to be home, so happy to be back in the Philippines, and to see all of you,” adding, “It is the season of giving, it is Christmas so I really look forward to take part in that and also hopefully inspiring everyone to get in the spirit of giving this Christmas,” even referring to her participation with one of Governor Chavit’s projects being a reason for her immediate visit back to her home country.

Catriona elaborates on the importance of the holidays that she wants to invoke, sharing, “Open up your heart to a neighbour, to a cause, to a charity near you because Christmas should be enjoyed by all no matter where you’re from, who you are, what you have.

It really is a time for family and for giving so please do get in the spirit of Christmas.” She concludes, “I’m so happy to be back and to see everyone and to be back home in the Philippines.

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Catriona is departing from Manila on Thursday, December 20 to move into her home for the upcoming year in New York. Richelle shared that Catriona will have an official homecoming in the Philippines after she is all settled.

When asked about where she will be on the 25th of December, Catriona answered, “As long as I’m with my family, I’m happy.”