MANILA, Philippines (Updated Feb. 21, 2019, 11:11 a.m.) — Fresh from attending the New York Fashion Week, Miss Universe Catriona Gray is back in the Philippines, days ahead of her grand homecoming.
Gray arrived in Manila on Saturday morning.
The Filipina-Australian returned to the Philippines more than two months after attending to her engagements as Miss Universe 2018. She is now a resident of New York City as part of her duties as the title-holder.
Events for her grand homecoming, organized by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., are slated on February 21 and 23.
READ: Catriona’s grand homecoming slated February 21, 23
BPICI released the route of Gray's homecoming parade, which will pass by areas of Pasay, Manila and Makati. It will start at 2 p.m. in Manila.
Here’s the route of the parade:
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Sofitel Grounds
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Vicente Sotto Street
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Roxas Boulevard
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Kalaw Avenue in Manila
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Taft Avenue
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Buendia Avenue
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Ayala Avenue
On February 23, BPCI also arranged a grand thanksgiving show for Gray at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For her return, Gray earlier disclosed that she would do charity work for different groups which would include her affiliate advocacy organizations LoveYourselfPH, Smile Train and Young Focus, among others.
Gray will also reportedly pay a courtesy call to Vice President Leni Robredo.
The fourth Filipina Miss Universe last visited the country when she privately spent the Christmas holidays with her family and loved ones last December.
Road closures
Some roads in the cities of Manila, Pasay and Makati will be closed to give way to the homecoming parade of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray on Thursday.
In an advisory, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the following roads would be affected:
- J.W. Diokno Boulevard
- Atang dela Rama
- Vicente Sotto street
- Roxas Boulevard
- T.M. Kalaw
- Taft Avenue
- Gil Puyat Avenue
- Ayala Avenue
The MMDA said it would implement a stop-and-go traffic scheme on the roads once the parade starts at Sofitel Philippine Plaza at 2 p.m.
The agency would deploy 200 traffic enforcers to assist motorists on the affected roads and clear the area of illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions. — with STAR/Ghio Ong