Catriona Gray empowers the youth to pursue their dreams

2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, a source of inspiration and hope for many young people, seems to have an answer to everything.

Case in point: Remember when she stood her ground against online bullying?

Catriona, a victim of bullying herself, not only made a statement denouncing the act, but also encouraged young people to build someone up instead of pulling them down:

Always articulate and confident, Catriona herself admits there still are some things she needs help with–financial matters, in particular.

FINDING HER ALLY

For these concerns, Catriona chose BDO as her partner and ally.

"BDO empowers me with financial options that cater exactly to my immediate and long-term aspirations. Furthermore, I see that BDO goes all out when it comes to giving convenience to its customers,” she said.

"Take their weekend banking services, which I am such a fan of! I know I can always find the right guidance and support from BDO. They truly help me find my way," explained Catriona.

She added that like other millennials and Gen Zers, she is most effective when collaborating with others. This is why, she explained, her partnership with BDO is proving to be very productive.

Catriona said there are two significant steps that those in her generation and younger must take to help them achieve their dreams:

1. Practice self-empowerment.

According to Catriona, being connected to one’s friends and peers on social media can be empowering. It can be a source of information and a chance to learn, share, and make quick but useful connections.

But as she herself has experienced, social media can also be a source of significant pressure to conform to others’ unrealistic, even unhealthy, expectations. This is why Catriona always sends a message of acceptance online: that we should all recognize, value, and respect individual differences.

"That’s one of the reasons I was so happy when I was asked to be part of BDO’s Find Your Way campaign. It’s a great honor to be a part of the BDO family. Especially to be part of a brand that aims to empower individuals to make the most out of their lives and to ‘find their way,’" she said.

2. Capitalize on opportunities to learn.

Catriona’s advocacies involve helping give the less fortunate access to education. This so they can acquire both physical skills and critical thinking, as well as the capacity to keep on learning and, consequently, to apply that knowledge to solve problems and help others.

"I’m really passionate about allowing children to reach their potential, especially through the avenue of quality education and equal opportunity. This was mainly shaped by my work with Young Focus Philippines for the last three years, and is also why I am passionately working alongside organizations like Smile Train, Education Through Music, and others," she said.

While these two challenges can be formidable, Catriona believes partnering with institutions like BDO can help anyone overcome such obstacles.

The beauty queen has experienced for herself how empowering it can be when BDO is on your side.

"BDO made the effort to get to know me, understand me and what I hope to achieve, and then helped tell my story. It makes me feel that I am truly valued, that my dreams and my hopes truly matter," Catriona said.

By getting to know her first, BDO was able to help Catriona choose the products and services that would truly be useful to her as a unique individual.

"With the sheer variety of options, I was having a hard time telling them apart to pick out what I really need. Thanks to the very patient and knowledgeable staff at BDO, I was enlightened on how this and that product or service fits with my goals and dreams. Today, I’m proud to have BDO by my side to help me find my way to creating the life I desire," she said.

A DEEPLY PERSONAL PARTNERSHIP

For Catriona, the partnership she found with BDO resonates on a personal level. With all the struggles, pain, and disappointments she had to go through on her journey to victory as Miss Universe, she highly values authenticity, empowerment, and the chance to find ways to pursue and achieve one’s dreams.

"The Find Your Way campaign by BDO is so deeply personal and is so ‘me’. I’m so honored that BDO saw the journey as a way of empowering other people, sharing the ups and downs, and the pursuit of a dream above all else. It’s 'Catriona'–it’s me," she shared.

Catriona said partners such as BDO can be catalysts for positive change in society, especially when they work with other passionate young people who have the same values, energy, and drive.

"With BDO, I’ve learned and affirmed how important it is to trust in the journey, surround yourself with people who believe in you; to believe in yourself, to work hard and have faith," she said, speaking like a true queen.

Follow BDO Unibank on Facebook to find out more.