Former Miss Universe leads tribute to Gray

This girl is on fire,” tweeted Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach on Monday, as she led other celebrities, politicians, and netizens on Twitterverse in congratulating Catriona Gray for bringing back the crown to the Philippines.Wurtzbach, who was present in the pageant in Bangkok, Thailand, said that Gray has conquered the Universe, with her victory.“You started strong and captured our hearts with your grace, commitment and fearlessness!” Wurtzbach posted on her Instagram account.“And that walk… how could anyone forget that walk?” asked Wurtzbach after Gray’s “slow motion walk” went viral on social media.“Now, you’ve conquered the Universe! This is just the beginning. Congratulations, Miss Universe 2018 @catriona_gray!” Wurtzbach later wrote. “You have made us all proud! Raise your flag!”Personalities in showbiz, politics, former Binibining Pilipinas titleholders and netizens also took to Twitter to congratulate Gray, a Filipino-Australian and the fourth Filipina to wear the crown after Gloria Diaz in 1968, Margarita “Margie” Moran in 1973, and Pia Wurtzbach in 2015. “Thank you for raising the flag for all Filipinos, @catrionaelisa!” tweeted actor Sam Milby. “You truly deserve the crown. Congrats!”“Congratulations Catriona!! Queen indeed,” tweeted Miss Universe 2012 runner-up Janine Tugonon.“Miss Universe 2018 is the Philippines,” Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida wrote on her Instagram page. “Mabuhay ka @catriona_gray!”“She did it!!! She brought the crown back! Congratulations Catriona!” tweeted actress Anne Curtis, who is also Filipino-Australian.“Our girl brought the crown home for the Philippines!” Miss Philippines-Universe 2017 Rachel Peters wrote on Instagram. Peters was at the pageant in Thailand.“A victory by Catriona Gray is the best way to end the year. Congratulations!” senatorial candidate Erin Tanada tweeted.“Black, white do not rule. Gray does!” tweeted singer Jim Paredes.“She will be endorsing a sunglass company,” Paredes later joked in another tweet. “The campaign will be called ’50 shades of Gray’.”“You’re so genuine and passionate in helping your country,” Zoila Maramba wrote on Facebook. “More empowering women like you, please!”Twitter netizen Regine Alonzo noticed the three-year gap between Miss Universe winners for the Philippines.“History repeats itself,” she tweeted. “1969, Gloria Diaz then three years later Margie Moran. Then 2015, Pia Wurtzbach and three years later Ms. Universe 2018 Catriona Gray! Congrats, team Philippines!”The Miss World organisation also congratulated Gray who finished in the top five of Miss World 2016.“Well done Catriona!” the organisation posted on Facebook. “Congratulations from all of us at Miss World to Catriona Gray on being elected Miss Universe 2018!! Catriona was a Miss World Top 5 finalist and Beauty With A Purpose Winner in Miss World 2016 and we are delighted to see her win the Miss Universe crown! Catriona’s brilliant Smokey Mountain Beauty With a Purpose project captured all our hearts as it revealed her dedicated vision to support the most vulnerable in our society. To the Miss Universe organization, you have a great winner.”However, some netizens did not buy the statement, saying that Gray was robbed in 2016 and compared the pageant to a cooking show.“Boo Hoooo!!! After cheating her of the crown???!! Miss World who? Stephanie del Valle who? Thank you anyway, because Catriona doesn’t deserved this cooking show,” commented Arch Bala.“It’s so ridiculous Miss World,” commented Le Quang Phung. “You did rob her crown two years ago.”“Thank you Miss World for not crowning Catriona last 2016,” commented Van Pira Patague. “She showed your world is just a tiny bit grain of salt in the universe.”“The World’s crown was not given to our queen Cat because she’s meant to wear the Universe’s,” commented AJ Castro Jose.Other netizens said that they should be grateful that Gray won Miss Universe and that she was meant for a bigger platform.“I’m really hurt when she did not get the crown in 2016, but now, I’m more than thankful for the organisation for not letting her win,” wrote Anton Rodriguez. “She is meant for something bigger. Bigger platform so she can inspire more people.”“Enough na guys! Everything happens for reason so let us not bash or say some below the belt comments,” wrote Mahid Tanggo Romampat. “In fact we should be thankful. Mga kababayan, let’s move on and celebrate our victory with positivity. Thank you, Miss World for being part of Catriona’s life changing journey and making her stronger.”