#catrionagray

Catriona Gray portrait drawing✏️🖌️🎨

This is fucking bullshit. There was social distancing, they were all wearing masks and no one broke any type of laws. I mean, police brutality in the Philippines is not new but this is one is low. There have been rally's before, all with proper social distancing and health precautions but why use this much force specifically for a Pride protest?

My Queen! 🇵🇭

“No matter how many times you fail, fall, or flop, stand up because chances are given to those who strive harder in order to achieve something.”

On December 20, 2015, a controversial win of a Filipina ended the Philippines’ drought to win the title, Miss Universe. After Steve Harvey mistakenly announced the winner, which he cleared later on. Missosologists were shocked and disappointed with the outcome; 1) Colombia didn’t deserve that humiliation, 2) Philippines should have had her ‘crowning’ moment. But Harvey apologized and said he’ll take account into what happened that night. No one’s perfect because everyone commits mistakes, and we just need to deal with it, learn from it, and move-on.

It took 42 years when the coveted crown came back to one of the Asia’s powerhouse when we talk about pageants. It all started with Venus Raj’s 4th runner-up finish in 2010, succeeded by Shamcey Supsup’s 3rd RU finish (2011), Janine Tugonon’s 1st RU (2012), Ariella Arida’s 3rd RU (2013), and MJ Lastimosa’s top 10 finish. It was a tough journey for Philippines since we annually send high-caliber delegates and finally sending a 3-time joiner of the national pageant, Binibining Pilipinas, that eventually won the million-dollar crown. But do you know what these ladies have in common? They at least joined several national pageants to try their luck, hone their capabilities, and reach their dreams no matter how many times they fail.

       Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015

[From left to right] Maxine Medina 2016, Ariella Arida 2013, Shamcey Supsup 2011, Pia Wurtzbach 2015, Janine Tugonon 2012, Venus Raj 2010, and MJ Lastimosa 2014.

A back-to-back win didn’t happen as Maxine Medina only finished as one of the top 6 finalists in 2016 and succeeded by Rachel Peters’ top 10 finish in 2017. But another lady chased her dream and proved everyone that failure would never be a hindrance in pursuing what your heart truly desires.

December 18, 2016, Catriona Magnayon Gray was an early favorite to win the blue crown, giving the Philippines its 2nd crown for Miss World after Meagan Young’s win on 2013. Everyone expected Gray’s win since she was considered as the delegate who got it all. Beauty, wit, and personality, those were evident on her. But fate didn’t allow that to happen, to win the blue crown, because on December 17, 2018, the Mikimoto crown was destined for her to wear it in Bangkok, Thailand. She bested 93 diverse gorgeous ladies, and also proved that you can be a queen regardless of your height, weight, complexion, beauty, race, and even how many times you joined a pageant just to fight for your advocacy and purpose in life.

      Catriona Magnayon Gray, Miss Universe 2018

These misfortunes of the respective queens didn’t hinder their goals in life; to succeed. These are only few names to mention but there are a lot of Filipinas who are resilient and fighters in their lives, not only in beauty pageants, but also in their battle in day to day living. What does this imply? DO NOT GIVE UP. As long as you have the chance and opportunity to be better, grab it. Not all are given the chance to prove themselves for the second time around. Remember, “Failure is the only opportunity to begin more intelligently.”