Catriona Gray, may payo sa next Miss Universe Philippines

Kat, we're so happy for you. Thank you! You just got home from Denmark. Yes, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland. How's the European vacation? So happy. Also for me, I'm in my 30s now, but this is only my second trip that I ever went that wasn't work. Yeah, I don't know, I'm just one of those people I would always have to justify that it's work or I'm with my family. But this time, with my friend Nicole, we have a podcast together. So it was a nice form of bonding for us, first international trip, just the two of us. Really? And first time in those countries. So it was a new experience all around, but so happy. And who did the hiking around? I have to say, we both took turns. We both shared the load. I'm the person in charge of finding where to eat. And then we share everything else, where we stay, where we go. See, Nicole is so fond of tours and sightseeing. So yeah, we do both. What have you discovered on your friendship after that? Oh my gosh. We really have similarities and differences. As in, we were just always reading our books. Because we're bookworms. And I also got to meet up with my other sisters from the world of pageantry. Because technically, me and Nicole met because of pageantry. And then when I was in Sweden and Denmark and even Switzerland, I met with other pageant sisters. So see Miss Sweden and Denmark, who I both competed with Miss World and Miss Universe. They also took the time to meet us. So they met Nicole for the first time. So happy. Just to be able to see them after seven years. But it's just a testament of the sisterhoods that are formed within the pageantry circle. Oh no, it's almost there. What's your advice or tip for the next Miss Universe, whoever wins the Miss UPH? I mean, this audition is exciting because it's close to Thailand. And I love my experience in Thailand. So my advice to whoever our future Miss Universe Philippines is who will be crowned tonight, is to really enjoy the journey. I don't know when the next Miss Universe date is. November, right? I'm not sure. Oh, not yet? Okay, I'm not sure yet. But I just hope that these next couple of months, she doesn't allow the pressure, the noise on social media to really distract her. I hope she remembers why she's there. What her core is. Whether that be to go after a dream or support the community or to make her family proud. Just hold on to that. Keep present in the moment because it goes so fast. And it's really a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to raise our flag on Miss Universe stage. So I hope she enjoys it. And I hope that she feels free to reach out. And I'm happy to give her advice. Maybe have your reaction to the new management. The addition of management. Yes. So there's really a big base in Thailand. Which makes me excited because I feel like Thailand is a pageant-loving nation just like us. So I hope the production of Miss Universe this year is really good. I really look forward to that. And also, I guess my expectation is a bit colored in my experience in Thailand. That we were introduced to that theme song of Miss Universe that has Thai flair, right? And the staging is really beautiful. The entertainers are beautiful. So that's really my expectation. I hope it comes true this year. We're expecting you to be there. I really hope so. Of course. If they asked me, I'll definitely go. One of the great things about you being a beauty queen is you never get tired of doing advocacy. Yeah. What makes you go? I think it's because I started advocacy before pageantry itself. So it was there before pageantry and I'll remain after pageantry. It's something that allows me to justify the platform that I have. Because if I think I have this huge platform reaching so many people and I'm only going to do it to put myself out there. It doesn't feel like it's enough. So being able to help in any way. I know that what I do sometimes can be small acts or just raising awareness or fundraising. But I hope that my influence, if I can call it that, can really inspire others to do the same in whatever way that looks like for them. I hope I can be someone who influences the change in that way. Lastly, Kat, what can we expect more from you? Beauty, more podcasts, more wonderful events. Yes. What can we expect more from you? More of all of the above. On the podcast, season 2 is coming. So that's 2 Step Back with Nicole and Kat. You can find that on Spotify and YouTube. A lot more of different events. And also, I feel like I have these projects coming up that are going to share a bit of a different side of myself. So stay tuned.