PASAY CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, December 20, met with 2018 Miss Universe winner Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray, and thanked her for making the Philippines proud by bringing the Miss Universe crown back to the country.
The Chief Executive congratulated Gray on her victory in the recently concluded pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. He also wished her to have a successful reign, and asked her to showcase the Philippines’ beauty even more to the world.
The beauty queen who has roots from Albay, received advice from the President, telling her to enjoy the opportunity of traveling the world and meeting people from different cultures and ethnicities around the globe.
During their meeting, the President even described Miss Gray’s vie for the coveted crown of Miss Universe similar to Senator Manny Pacquiao’s boxing matches, noting the intense and robust support from millions of Filipinos cheering for them.
Towards the end of their tête-à-tête, President Duterte invited Miss Gray to visit Malacañan after her commitments abroad so she could officially celebrate her homecoming in the country.
During the courtesy call held at the Kalayaan Hall, Villamor Airbase, the President was joined by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Salvador Panelo.
