Wala na sigurong mas sasaya pa sa pagkapanalo ni Catriona Gray bilang Miss Universe 2018 kaysa sa kanyang beauty-pageant best friends na sina Miss Universe Sweden Emma Strandberg at Miss Universe Denmark Helena Heuser.
Sina Miss Sweden at Miss Denmark ay BFFs na ni Catriona noong unang sali pa lang nila sa Miss World 2016 competition sa U.S.
Sina Emma ng Sweden, Helena ng Denmark, at Catriona ng Philippines ay pare-parehong kandidata ng Miss World 2016, ngunit pare-pareho ring talo ang tatlo.
Ang pinakamasuwerte lamang sa kanila ay si Catriona na umabot sa Top 5 ng Miss World 2016.
Sabay-sabay ulit sumabak ang tatlo sa Miss Universe 2018, kung saan pinalad si Catriona na masungkit ang korona.
Nitong nakaraang Linggo, December 23, nagbahagi ng behind-the-scene video si Emma sa kanyang Instagram na kuha pagkatapos koronahan ang kaibigan nilang si Catriona.
Makikita sa video na tapos na ang live airing ng Miss Universe at isa-isa nang nagsilapitan ang mga kandidata upang batiin si Catriona sa pagkapanalo nito.
Dalawa sa mga emusyonal na umiiyak habang yakap si Catriona ay sina Emma at Helena.
Sabi ni Emma sa kanyang post, “I just found this on social media. Love you so much my loves @helenaheuser & catriona_gray #missuniverse.”
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Sa comments section, kaagad na sumagot si Helena at naghayag kung gaano sila kalapit nina Emma at Catriona sa isa't isa.
Saad niya, “Ommmggggg I’m crying again!!!!”

CATRIONA A DESERVING WINNER
Noong December 17, ang araw na itinanghal si Catriona bilang Miss Universe 2018 sa Bangkok, Thailand, nagpaabot na rin ng mensahe si Emma kung gaano ito kasaya sa naabot na tagumpay ng kandidata ng Pilipinas.
Saksi raw si Emma sa galing at kabaitan ni Catriona hindi lang bilang isang kandidata kundi bilang kaibigan.
Sabi ni Miss Sweden: “I am speechless sister, and I can’t stop crying. I am so happy for you. You did it cat! You did it!
"I am so proud and glad that YOU are standing there with the new title as MISS UNIVERSE 2018.
"We could never ask for a better woman to stand there. Your personality, kindness and love for this world.
"You deserved this crown more than anyone else in this universe and I know that you are going to do a wonderful job!
"I can’t wait to follow your journey and I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart. Xoxo your Sweden #missuniverse @catriona_gray.”
FRIENDS FOR KEEPS
Sa post naman ni Helena noong December 18, binalikan niya ang araw kung kailan sila nagkakilala nina Emma at Catriona noong Miss World 2016 competition.
Agad daw nakasundo ni Emma si Catriona dahil pareho silang mahilig sa pets.
Kuwento niya: “My journey started November 2016 in Washington DC. I was blessed with the best roommate I could have EVER wished for @emmastrandbergh.
"The day after I met my Kit Cat. For some weird reason I remember the first thing she asked me.
"She asked me, 'Do you have any pets?,' and I knew already then... that this was the perfect start to an amazing friendship!
"This whole adventure has been send from god, he wanted us to do this together, he wanted us to witness a truly unique moment…
"This is meant to be. From world to the Universe!"
Kahit pa maituturing na magkalaban sila sa pageant, naniniwala rin daw si Helena na si Catriona ay deserving na manalo bilang Miss Universe 2018.
Kaya raw kahit na natanggal na ang kanyang false eyelashes sa kakaiyak noong koronahan si Catriona ay deadma na raw ang kandidata ng Denmark.
Kuwento pa ni Helena: "The Miss Universe finale day came, and I knew from the beginning that Cat was destined for that crown.
"It’s funny cause I get so emotional when I see her on stage, so no wonder I cried my lashes off when she won!
"This has been an amazing journey and from day one in November 2016 we were the unbreakable trio as you call us..
"but I would rather call it the unbreakable leafed... this journey would not have been the same without @emmastrandbergh @theniamhkennedy @catriona_gray.
"To @emmastrandbergh... thank you for being my sister. Thank you for always lifting me up when I’m down, thank you for being my partner in crime and thank you for being amazing, confidently beautiful you!”
Hindi raw talaga matatawaran ang pagkakaibigan nilang tatlo.
Dagdag ni Helena: “Last but not least.. To @catriona_gray... Thank you for being my friend.
"I look up to you in so many ways. You have such a star potential, but yet you’re incredibly humble and down to earth.
"Thank you for our memorable moments and always calming me down when I’m nervous.
"You.. my Kit Cat, was destined for that crown! The Miss Universe Organization just crowned the best Miss Universe ever today!
"You deserve the absolute best in life, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings you! Meeeeoowww."
BONDING IN MANILA
Consistent ang pagiging malapit nina Catriona, Emma, at Helena.
Patuloy ang komunikasyon nilang tatlo bago pa man sila sumalang ulit sa Miss Universe 2018 competition.
Pagkapanalo pa lang ni Catriona bilang Miss Universe Philippines ay may post na rin si Helena kung gaano ito ka-excited para sa kaibigan.
Bahagi ng Instagram post ni Helena noong March 2018, "For the first time in history, the same Filipina is gonna represent the Philippines in Miss World and Miss Universe—you're making history!
"I'm now even more excited to see you in less than a month, before you're gonna get that Universe crown on your head!"
Noong April 2018, bumisita pa sina Emma at Helena kay Catriona dito sa bansa.
Sabi ni Emma sa kanyang post noon, “Picture from last night in Manila. Thank you for having us Cat.”