President Duterte on Thursday told newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray to enjoy the perks and opportunities of her reign as he opened the gates of Malacañang for her official homecoming after her commitments abroad.
Duterte made the invitation to Gray during their almost one-hour private meeting at the Kalayaan Hall at Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.
According to Malacañang, Duterte invited Gray to visit the Palace after commitments abroad so the beauty queen can officially celebrate her homecoming in the country.
“Gray 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,” the Palace said in a statement.
“Towards the end of their tête-à-tête, President Duterte invited Miss Gray to visit Malacañang after her commitments abroad so she could officially celebrate her homecoming in the country,” it added.
Malacañang also said that Duterte congratulated and thanked Gray for making the Philippines proud by bringing the Miss Universe crown back to the country three years after it was won by Pia Wurtzbach.
“President Duterte also wished Gray to have a successful reign, and asked her to showcase the Philippines’ beauty even more to the world,” the Palace said.
Duterte described Gray’s vie for the coveted Mikimoto Crown as similar to one of Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s boxing matches, noting the intense and robust support from the Filipinos.
The Chief Executive met with Gray around 6:20 p.m. The President was joined by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
Malacañang hailed Gray shortly after becoming Miss Universe for making the country proud and bringing to center stage the “genuine qualities defining a Filipina beauty.”
“Gray truly made the entire Philippines proud when she sashayed on the global stage and showcased the genuine qualities defining a Filipina beauty: Confidence, grace, intelligence, and strength in the face of tough challenges,” Panelo said Monday.
“In her success, Miss Philippines has shown to the world that women in our country have the ability to turn dreams into reality through passion, diligence, determination, and hard work,” he added.
Gray is the fourth Filipina to bag the Miss Universe crown after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973, and Gloria Diaz in 1969. (Agryll Geducos)