The entire world is under tough times since the outbreak of the pandemic Covid-19 across the globe. The governments have announced a complete lockdown and urged everyone to practice social distancing until the situation gets normal again. The beauty queens have used this time to work on themselves or learn something new. The divas use social media account to entertain and keep their fans informed about the situations and activities they’ve been up to.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has shared that she has been using her time at home by taking an online course on improving memory and comprehension for faster learning. She mentioned that she is also learning and reading Tagalog online to champion the culture of her home country. Catriona asked her followers for good reads or online courses. She also stated that she has been reading a lot of books and has just finished ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover.
The Filipina-Australian beauty said she wanted to share the stories of the Filipino people as an Arts Ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. “I feel that there's no better way to learn and appreciate than through the sharing of stories. As Arts Ambassador 2020 of the Philippine National Commission of Culture and the Arts, this is what I want to share - the stories of the Filipino people,” she said
The diva debuted a new series on her social media account entitled ‘Raise the Flag’, that shines a spotlight on the country's provinces. The series is developed for Catriona being able to bring the stories of people from her country who are breaking stereotypes in their own way. In the first episode, the beauty queen travels to La Union, on the island of Luzon, where she met women breaking molds in their chosen fields. “Join me as I discover and rediscover the local beauty, culture and sights of our diverse and unique country,” she captioned her post.
The beauty queen who is considered as one of the most successful Miss Universe is a philanthropist by heart and loves to help people in whatever way she can. She visited the weaving center in Bangar. There she met with women who have dedicated their careers to creating hand-crafted cloths. After visiting the weaving center, Miss Universe 2018 stated, "I've been able to experience the weaving centers and see how it gives livelihoods, especially to Filipino mothers who use that income to give their children an education." She feels blessed and strong that she is at a position where she can be helpful to someone.
Catriona Gray crowned her successor Miss Universe 2019 South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi in December last year, was also seen visiting an event for ‘Smile Train’, a non-profit charity that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.
"It's very fulfilling, knowing that this is not only a trip about celebration, but we’re doing outreach in a way that is actually helping our country’s children," said the queen. She became an ambassador for Smile Train earlier this year. The Smile Train organization was able to give 40 children free corrective surgery.
Gray also met some female surfers in San Juan, who she noted are "breaking the stereotypical perception that only men are at the forefront of the sport", as well as attended a beauty pageant in La Union. During the beauty pageant, Catriona expressed, "So many different perceptions are put on us as women about what we’re capable of. Uplift another young girl who may be looking up to you, I hope you carry that with you."
The diva loves to sing and has recently released a cover of John Lennon's ‘Imagine’ in a dedication to the country's frontline workers.