Robredo: Catriona Gray ‘presented the best of the Filipinos’

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray made a courtesy call to Vice President Leni Robredo in the latter’s Quezon City office on Tuesday.

“It’s been such an honor representing our country internationally and I would dedicate this year to a purposeful service and giving back to our country,” Gray said in her short speech delivered during the visit. 

For her part, the vice president said she and Catriona shared some similar advocacies such as those for the children. 

Both the beauty queen and the vice president are against lowering the criminal liability of children from 15 to 12 years old. 

“This is our opportunity to tell you how proud you made all of us not only because you won the crown, but also because you presented the best of the Filipinos,” the vice president said. 

“We want to thank you for giving us this honor. We also want you thank you for giving us this opportunity to thank you personally for making us proud to be Filipinos, for giving us reasons to be united again as one people. Maraming maraming salamat sa'yo,” she added. 

Robredo also gave Catriona a malong from Marawi City and a “Catriona Robot” made by students from Dr. Yanga Colleges Foundation who won a robotics olympiad.

“During the pageant, you also exhibited many of our textiles. What we will be giving you is the product of one of our communities from Marawi City. This one is called ‘Landap,’ it's a malong which is Maranao's origin,” the vice president explained.