Miss Universe 2018 is only four days away and Filipino pageant fans are all about that hype!
Two days ago, the Miss Universe national costume competition took place at Nong Nooch International Convention Center in Pattaya, Thailand.
Philippines’ bet Catriona Gray wore a costume called “LuzViMinda” which featured a form-fitting bodysuit, headdress, massive lantern backdrop, and customized boots.
Representing the LuzViMinda Costume!#MissUniverse #Philippines pic.twitter.com/FcitAsBebK
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisaaa) December 10, 2018
OUR candidate to the 2018 Miss Universe wore the ancient Visayan tattoos documented by the 16th-century Boxer Codex. Catriona Gray captured the thousands of years history and heritage of the Filipino people–an embodiment of time that our history did not just start in 1521. pic.twitter.com/iKQcqBQvxZ
— National Quincentennial Committee Philippines (@nqcPhilippines) December 10, 2018
After the said competition, netizens decided to show their support t Gray by doing hilarious parodies of her national costume performance.
A Venezuelan fan, Dimas Jolepi, even did a parody of Gray’s promotional ad for the said pageant which was aired on ABS-CBN.
Still related to her national costume, Gray released a three-part vlog on her social media accounts titled which shows the beauty and culture of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Because of the amazing story and symbolisms behind her national costume, the National Quincentennial Committee of the Philippines wrote a letter to the Filipino-Australian beauty queen inviting her to the unveiling of the Philippine Quincentennial Commemorations logo on December 21.
The letter also said that it is interested in borrowing Gray’s national costume to be displayed in several museums including the Museum of Philippine Social History in Angeles City, the Museum of Philippine Political History in Malolos, Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, and Museo ni Jose Rizal in Fort Santiago.
Gray responded to the email by saying it was “surreal”.
The 67th Miss Universe pageant will be taking place in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17, 2018. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa will pass on the crown to her successor at the end of the event. Prior to that, its preliminary competition will happen on December 13 at 8:00 PM (Manila time).
Gray is hoping to take home the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown, following the footsteps of Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, and Pia Wurtzbach.