WATCH: Catriona Gray to level up everything for Miss Universe 2018

MANILA, Philippines — If Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray won Best in Long Gown, Swimsuit and National Costume at the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, she assured that her award-winning performance and outfits in these categories will be “topped up” come Miss Universe 2018.

In an interview with Philstar.com during Dairy Queen’s Cheesecake Blizzard launch, Catriona revealed that she is already fully prepared for the pageant because she likes to prepare early.

“Ever since Binibini, I’ve really been hands-on since I’ve been an independent candidate. I’m hands-on in every single aspect of my preparations because I’m having so much fun,” she enthused.

“I’m about 99 (percent prepared) e. I want to prepare early kasi. I don’t want to be stressed because (by) November I just really want to relax, refresh and review. I don’t want to be stressing about costumes or clothing or things like that, so I really prepared early talaga and I have a few pasabog,” Catriona said in an interview with the press on the sidelines of the send-offs to Miss Philippines Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao and Miss Philippines Grand International 2018 Eva Patalinjug.

The Miss Universe Organization has just introduced this year’s contestants from all over the world, including the Philippines’ Catriona Gray and the pageant’s first transgender contestant, Spain’s Angela Ponce. 
“#MissUniverse season is almost here! Meet some of the 2018 contestants who will be competing for the crown. Who do you think will take home the title?” the organization captioned its video on their Twitter account. 

Also in this year’s lineup is the controversial Melba Shakabozha from Zambia, who was reportedly involved in a stabbing incident with her Finnish lover. 

Nevertheless, the Miss Universe Zambia Organization said in a statement that their investigation concluded that the accusations were null and void and they will take necessary legal actions against the accuser and other parties involved.

This year’s edition of Miss Universe will be held on December 17 in Bangkok, Thailand. — Videos by EC Toledo IV, Kat Leandicho, Deni Bernardo

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