Miss Universe 2018 Top 3 final question and answer round, which would determine the future of the delegates tested the real challenges and experiences of the Top 3 finalists left on stage who defeated 91 other contestants.

When host Steve Harvey asked, “What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?” Catriona Gray gave the winner answer and was then crowned by Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.

Catriona answered that she has worked a lot on the slum areas of Tondo, Manila, and found out that the life there is of very poor quality and sad. She then went on to say that she has taught herself to look at the beauty of everything and to look for the beauty in the faces of children and be grateful. Catriona ended her speech by saying that she would be happy to bring in this aspect as Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining and to access where she could provide something like a spokesperson. Catriona thinks if she should teach people to be grateful, and negativity would not be able to grow and foster and children would always have a smile on their faces.

Catriona’s answer was not well received by many due to their tendency of dissecting everything and twisting the meanings. When Catriona said she likes to find the beauty in the faces of the children of the slums of Tondo and be grateful, people found it off that someone would find beauty in poverty. But they entirely missed the point where she said, “… the quality of life there is very poor and sad.”

Bebo Bharwani, board member of Young Focus Philippines explained in detail what she actually meant with her answer. Bebo said, “I met Catriona, about 2 years ago at the Young Focus student centre in Tondo, Manila. It was clear she knew everyone. She knew the kids, their names, the dreams, she also had a special relationship with the staff of Young Focus.”

“This long post, is to convey first hand that her heart has always been to help,” Bebo continued, “Now, for those who may have jumped the gun, who may have not understood ‘the beauty in poverty’ idea from the final question. The beauty she speaks of comes from what she has discovered in the stories of the kids, the families, and the people who have devoted their lives to serving others. They come from knowing actual names, hearing actual dreams. And her response has always been to cheer people on, and when she could, she lent her resources. Catriona gave a voice to those we have long forgotten.”

Many other people have jumped to support Catriona and explain the actual message that our new Miss Universe 2018 was trying to convey to the people.