In Photos: Catriona Gray And Pia Wurtzbach Team Up At The "Universe Gives Back" Charity Gala!
A buzzing audience was treated to the sight of not one but two of the universe's brightest stars when beauty queens Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray reunited onstage for "The Universe Gives Back," a fashion charity gala.
It's the first time the two Miss Universe titleholders have met up since Catriona's homecoming in February, and a rare break from the reigning queen's otherwise busy New York-based schedule.
Organized by the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe organizations, the glamorous event held at the Manila Marriott Hotel on June 4 fulfilled two purposes: for Pia and Catriona to draw attention to the local non-government organizations that they support, and for the 40 Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates to walk the runway donning creations made by Filipino fashion designers in bold, rainbow-inspired colors.
In the spotlight were LoveYourself, Inc., a group that mainly advocates the awareness of and normalization of HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, and Young Focus Philippines who pushes for the accessibility of quality education for impoverished children in the country.
Meanwhile, local designers featured were Albert Andrada, Michael Leyva, Rhett Eala, Ito Curata, Jot Losa, Avel Bacudio, Cherry Veric, and Martin Bautista.
Both of the Miss Universe titleholders had the opportunities to thank their supporters who have been with them throughout and after their journeys to the crown, each of them reminding the crowd about the deeper purposes of pageantry.
As of this writing, the biggest event that beauty pageant fans can look forward to is the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 grand coronation night slated to take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 9, Sunday.
The evening will conclude with Filipinos being given their bets for the year's upcoming pageants including Miss World, Miss Intercontinental, Miss International, Miss Globe, Miss Grand International, Miss Supranational, and Miss Universe.
See more photos from the "Universe Gives Back" event in the gallery below:
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Photographs by Daniel Soriano
Photos from @piawurtzbach @catriona_gray