Catriona Gray looked gorgeous in her recent fiery photoshoot as she marked the fifth anniversary of her Miss Universe win on December 17. She shared a series of photos on Instagram and recalled her Miss Universe journey through a lengthy post.
In the first photo, she stunned in a sheer gown with orange feathers, which is a nod to the Ibong Adarna–inspired gown by Mak Tumang she wore during the Miss Universe 2018 preliminary competition.
“5 has always been my favorite number, ever since I was a little girl. And it seems fitting to celebrate and reflect on my 5th year anniversary as I stand now on the cusp of a whole new chapter,” she wrote.
The beauty queen reminisced about her journey, emphasizing that she gave her “absolute everything” in the pageant. She also recalled how she conquered “so many” fears and worked herself to the top from being an “independent, non-camp trained candidate.”
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“Mine is also a comeback story. One that was rooted in failure – that’s why the mythical folklore of Philippine mythology in the form of Ibong Adarna resonates so deeply: a phoenix that rises from the ashes. And five years ago, in Bangkok Thailand, I earned the greatest honor of bringing pride to my country as @missuniverse 2018.”
She expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported and encouraged her.Â
“My journey in its simplest form, has and always will be, a love letter to my country of the Philippines. And I hope it can serve as a reminder to never give up on YOUR vision. And that no matter what the path your on looks like…know that you are never denied and only redirected. And yet…we rise,” she concluded.
In another post, she donned a black and red ensemble to pay homage to her iconic “lava gown” inspired by the Mayon Volcano she wore during the coronation night.
“5 years later… still burning brighter and stronger than ever. Who knew that paying homage to Mt. Mayon volcano as an ode to my mother’s hometown would resonate with so many,” she captioned.
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The 29-year-old thanked her parents, charitable organizations, friends, and supporters who stayed with her and trusted her through the years, “Thank you for being my fuel. I lava you all!”
She flaunted another version of her Mayon Volcano-inspired gown with the caption, “A force to be reckoned with. Here’s to creating and bringing to life the visions we hold close to hearts, hoping that one day they’ll capture the attention of the Universe.”
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Gray was the fourth Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe, following Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran, and Gloria Diaz.Â
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In February, she got engaged to her boyfriend, Sam Milby. She has focused on her roles as an advocate and host.
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