Ikinuwento ni Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray na nagkita at nag-usap sila ni Celeste Cortesi bago lumipad ang huli sa U.S. para sa Miss Universe 2022 pageant.
Pagbabahagi ni Catriona, nangyari raw ang pagkikita nila late last year at marami siyang ipinayo sa pambato ng Pilipinas sa upcoming Miss Universe 2022 pageant.
“I had a conversation with her before she flew. So, we had dinner together,” ani Catriona sa interview ni ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo nitong January 14, 2023.
Si Catriona ay nasa New Orleans din dahil magsisilbi siyang backstage host sa grand coronation night na gaganapin ngayong January 15 (Philippine time).
May mga ipinayo ba siya kay Celeste sa pagsabak sa pageant?
“A lot naman…” sagot ni Catriona.
Bagamat isa itong kumpetisyon, pinaalalahanan daw niya si Celeste na namnamin ang experience.
“What I really told her was that this is a once is a lifetime experience, prepare as much as you can beforehand.
“Because we had this sit-down, I think two months before she flew out…
“So prepare as much as you can and when you get there enjoy the experience, enjoy the time with the girls.
“It’s a moment that goes by so fast.”
Ikinuwento rin ni Catriona ang mga sinabi sa kanya ni Celeste bilang isang kandidata.
Sabi ni Catriona, “I’m really excited for her, she is really staying true to herself.
“She’s told me that she’s really ensuring that her mental space is really safe, and that she’s comfortable 'coz that mental space can really be a game.”
CATRIONA BELIEVES IT WILL BE A TOUGH COMPETITION
Bumilib din daw si Catriona sa batch ngayon dahil marami raw sa mga ito ay “performers.”
Asahan daw ang isang “tough competition” sa grand coronation night.
“Ang lakas ng batch na 'to, I really feel it is,” pahayag ni Catriona.
“I wish the contestant profiles that used to be in the past years were available.
“I wanna also see how they communicate and everything, so I don’t really have a glimpse into that.”
Pero kumbinsido siyang “super impressive” ang 84 candidates ngayong taon.
“I’m expecting it to be a very tough competition because there are so many girls in this batch who are performers onstage.”
Napa-comment din si Catriona sa bagong format na pipili ng Top 16 pagkatapos ay Top 5 at pagkatapos ay Top 3.
Sabi ni Catriona: “It’s really nerve-wracking, but I think its also a gift to the fans because we get to see the Top 16 in both their swimsuits and evening gowns.”