Kumpiyansa si Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray na maiuuwi ni Chelsea Manalo ang ikalimang Miss Universe crown para sa Pilipinas.
Si Chelsea ang pambato ng bansa sa 73rd edition ng Miss Universe na gaganapin sa Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX), Mexico, sa November 17, 2024.
Dito ay makakalabn ni Chelsea ang 129 pang kandidata mula sa iba't ibang bansa.
Read: Miss Universe 2024 coronation night details you need to know
Sa ginanap na Catriona Gray Legacy Ball mediacon noong October 29, ipinahayag ni Catriona ang kanyang suporta sa pambato ng Pilipinas na si Chelsea.
Ayon sa Miss Universe titleholder, malaki ang potensiyal na nakikita niya kay Chelsea dahil sa aura nito tuwing tumutuntong sa entablado.
Pahayag ni Catriona: "Chelsea, she’s great. I feel like she gives a fresh new air to Miss Philippines.
"She’s so young, and I’m really excited to see how she transforms onstage, 'coz I feel like she’s that type of girl, e.
"When you meet her in person, she’s very sweet and very demure.
"But onstage, she unlocks a different [side] of herself. Performer talaga siya.
"So I'm very excited how that comes alive on the Mexico stage."
Read: Catriona Gray, Sam Milby seated apart on a plane bound for Canada
CATRIONA'S TIPS TO CHELSEA
Ayon kay Catriona, hindi pa sila nagkakausap nang personal ni Chelsea.
Saad niya, "I wasn’t able to have a sit-down with [Chelsea], although I reached out to her multiple times, but I feel that ang busy niya.
"So I also understand the schedule that comes along with being a representative."
Read: Two MUPH 2024 candidates, makakalaban muli ni Chelsea Manalo
Kung may maipapayo man daw si Catriona kay Chelsea, ito ay ang lagi't lagi niyang isipin kung para kanino at para saan ang paglaban niya sa international pageant stage.
Sabi ni Catriona: "I always say like to remember why you went on that journey in the first place. And it could be any journey that resonates with you — either it’s opening new doors and opportunities for yourself, or elevating your community, for the cause, or for the country.
"Just hold on to that anchor because throughout the exhaustion and the long schedules, hours and all the ups and downs that come with being a Miss Philippines, that’s what you need to hold true."
Read: Chelsea Manalo and Angelica Lopez, stunning in pageant OOTDs
Catriona returns as BACKSTAGE coRRESPONDENT for Miss Universe 2024
Samantala, sa nasabing mediacon ay masaya ring inanunsiyo ni Catriona ang pagbabalik niya bilang backstage correspondent sa Miss Universe 2024.
Ito ang ikatlong beses na magiging commentator si Catriona sa Miss Universe grand coronation night.
Read: Catriona Gray returns as backstage host for Miss Universe 2023: "So excited..."
Nakangiting sabi ni Catriona, "I will be in Mexico this November second week to support our own Chelsea Manalo, and also to serve as a commentator once again.
"I'm grateful for the trust of the Miss Universe Organization for once again inviting me back for the third year in a row."
Malaking bagay raw kay Catriona ang patuloy na pagtitiwala sa kanya ng Miss Universe Organization dahil noon pa man ay isa na sa mga pangarap niya ang paghu-host.
Saad niya: "That's a really big thing for me because, in a way, it really gives me confidence about my hosting on an international level, and I really do enjoy it.
"There's a certain level of spontaneity and an event such as Miss Universe. Of course, everything is happening blow by blow — you don't know who's coming in or what's going to happen next.
"Naturally, with different hosting countries, the first two years were in New Orleans and El Salvador, and now it's in Mexico. So every different country gives a different energy and a different audience.
"I love being a part of that because, again, it gives me that well-rounded perspective because, like, I was a girl up there on that stage and I know how they are feeling.
"But to be within the crowd and to feel that energy, it's electric, it's really the love of pageantry that is really igniting all over again."
Read: Catriona Gray no-show at Sam Milby's surprise birthday party
Dagdag pa niya, "So third year. It's really different — from experiencing it as an audience member, just watching at home in past years, to being a candidate, giving my farewell, and passing on my title, and now being behind the scenes as a commentator, watching the action unfold — it's a whole different experience."