By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
THERE’S no doubt that Australian-Filipino Catriona Gray of Albay is one of the front-runners in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant.
And cheering for her is no less than her former boss, Cory Quirino, ex-franchisee of the Miss World Philippines beauty pageant, now newly elected president of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.
Quirino said that she is confident Gray will win one of the major titles during the grand coronation of the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 beauty contest at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on March 18.
Sought to give message to Gray, Quirino said: “Cat, I saw a crown on your head even from day one that we had first met. There is nothing standing in your way. Do not doubt that you deserve that crown.”
“But seek victory only with a grateful and humble heart. Raise up your quest to the Lord then all will be yours,” said Quirino during an exclusive interview.
In 2016, Gray won the Miss World Philippines contest and eventually represented the country in the Miss World pageant held in Maryland, United States. She finished in the Top 5 of the longest-running beauty contest in history.
In January 2017, Quirino gave up her Miss World Philippines franchise. Talent manager Arnold Vegafria has been named as the franchise director of Miss World Philippines contest.
Quirino said that she does not see anything wrong if Gray transferred from Miss World Philippines to Binibining Pilipinas.