Fans and Filipinos everywhere were shaken by Catriona Gray’s final speech during the Bb. Pilipinas 2019 Coronation Night which had been full of emotion and gratitude.
Catriona, who went on to bag the crown for Miss Universe in 2018, shared these parting words for everyone who believed in her and still believe in her:
Philippines! My heart is overflowing with gratitude, because here, on this exact stage, I was given the chance to pursue this dream. This journey has been made even more meaningful, because every single step of the way I felt each and every one of you right there with me.
I am so humbled and immensely grateful to each and every one of you who has given true meaning to feeling the love and support of the Filipino people. I knew I had a big role to step up to once the Miss Universe Philippines sash was placed across my heart. Along the way, I had to surmount 3 mountains, to conquer 3 Mayon Volcanos.
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The first one was conquering myself. Like every single person, I had to overcome the fear that comes from within. The fear of falling short, the fear of failure, the fear of not measuring up. But I conquered my fear with faith – faith that God purposely set me on this path and that He would not give me a burden too heavy to carry. And faith in myself, because I knew that I was not perfect. But I knew I’m determined. And I knew that out of all 95 women that I was to compete with in Miss Universe, I would be the one and only Filipina, and that gave me strength.
The second was conquering others. There were so many times that people told me that I would fail. I was told that it was too soon for another Miss Universe from the Philippines, I was body-shamed, and I was put down. But I conquered others by surrounding myself with people who uplifted me, supported me, and mentored me. My Team Catriona were my backbone and my safe place. I wouldn’t be standing here if not for every single one of them, and for all of you. And as an only child whose family was away for the entirety of this journey, they also gave me a home.
The third and most important was conquering for a purpose. What was the point of all this? Who was I doing this for? I looked down at the lettering over my heart, and it said Philippines. I felt its weight, knowing the history, challenges, and triumphs of the Filipino people, I thought of the children of Tondo and of my country.
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I may only be one person, but now I have the opportunity to serve 104 million Filipinos, and I knew that I was doing this para sa Pilipinas. Inside each and every one of us is a king or queen with the ability to conquer the universe, whatever that may be for you. But we must first conquer ourselves, conquer what others perceive of us, and finally, conquer with a purpose. To conquer our dreams.
Philippines, I will forever our raise our flag. Thank you for choosing me as your queen. Forever a Miss Philippines, forever a Binibini. Love, Catriona Gray, your Miss Universe 2018.
Many fans and celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts on Catriona’s farewell speech.
CATRIONA GRAY MADE ME CRY. What a beautiful, heartfelt speech. Nag-iisa ka!!! WOW. ??????????????? #BBPilipinas2019
— Ruffa Gutierrez (@iloveruffag) June 9, 2019
Most emotional and beautiful part of the evening. Never have I heard such a wonderful and genuine farewell speech! A speech so heartfelt that it touched a lot of people and left them teary-eyed ? Catriona Gray you are loved by the Filipinos forever! ❤ https://t.co/BzxY1mtEB9
— bee urgello (@bee2urgello) June 10, 2019
Catriona Gray. Every inch a queen. From head to foot a beautiful creature.
Her speech was so inspirational, perfectly delivered. pic.twitter.com/1sduVYHFvQ
— dbuzzketball (@dbuzzketball) June 9, 2019
Could we like, crown Catriona Gray every year na lang? Charot.
— Jai Cabajardashian (@jaicabajar) June 9, 2019
Catriona Gray, YOU. ARE. TIMELESS. #BbPilipinas2019 pic.twitter.com/vCDLrApDiw
— Rod Magaru ?? (@rodmagaru) June 9, 2019
Damn, Catriona Gray really set the standards too high. #BbPilipinas2019
— Angelique Manto (@AngeliqueManto) June 9, 2019
For her final walk onstage, Catriona donned a Mak Tumang gown inspired by the waling-waling.
In his post, Tumang said that the waling-waling is regarded as the “the rarest, most beautiful and the most expensive among all the flora our country has” and rightfully “dubbed as the ‘Queen of Philippine Flowers’.” He said it was the perfect representation for Catriona who he describes as “absolutely a queen of beauty and substance.”
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Catriona passed on the Miss Universe-Philippines crown to her successor, Cebuana beauty queen Gazini Ganados.
(Cebuana, Gazini Ganados, wins BB Pilipinas 2019!)
Catriona is the fourth Filipino bet to win the highly coveted Miss Universe title. Her advocacy is directed towards helping less fortunate children and giving them access to education.
How did you react to Catriona Gray’s final speech? Share your thoughts with us below!
