MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray may be busy with her beauty queen duties, but she took some time off to try out something new: writing.

In an interview with reporters at the Grit and Glam event on Tuesday, May 8, Catriona happily shared her experience of interviewing students and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

4Ps was the flagship program of former president Benigno Aquino III’s administration to alleviate poverty by providing cash grants to the poorest of the poor through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Congratulations to all of the ESGP-PA grantees and Senior High Graduates of 2018, each beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program hailing from different regions all over the Philippines for graduating and serving as inspirations within your communities!  So excited that my first article as a contributing writer will be to share your stories, coming in this Sunday’s @manilabulletin  #ArawNgPagkilala

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on May 7, 2018 at 12:38am PDT

“Sobrang nakaka-touch (It was so touching), like just [to hear] the stories of the children, the things they overcame just to have access to education, just to finish their high school, their college degree. All the personal challenges and the environmental factors. And I can’t wait for people to hear their story,” she said.

As for being behind the scenes this time, the Filipino-Australian beauty queen said that she was glad to channel her creative side to her first writing assignment for a broadsheet.

“I love it! I mean I [have been] a creative [person] since the very beginning. And writing is something I’m passionate about. So what a wonderful way for my first project to be heard by telling the stories of these children.”

From Tuesday’s interview with Miss Universe PH 2018 @catrionaelisa last May 8. Her article is coming out soon in a daily broadsheet. pic.twitter.com/ZqkV2SIW2I

— alexa villano (@alexavillano) May 10, 2018

Catriona’s story will be published soon by the Manila Bulletin.

Hungry for the crown

Unlike her Miss World pageant stint, Catriona said that she’s more mature and ready to take on the challenge of representing the country in the Miss Universe pageant. (READ: From Miss World Philippines 2016 to Miss Universe Philippines 2018: The journey of Catriona Gray)

“Miss World was my first pageant ever. I didn’t really know the ropes, I didn’t know what to expect. Now that I’m going to Miss Universe, I’m much more matured as a woman and I have a lot more drive and really hungry for this. And I know the responsibilties that come with it, having worked with my charities before,” she said.

She also said that she will undergo various training, including public speaking workshops to pasarela or the catwalk. (READ: Make way for the queen: Catriona Gray charms in Q&As)

As for the possibility of the Miss Universe pageant happening in the country, Catriona said that she’s open to any place – whether in the country or abroad.

“I’m just happy wherever it’s going to be. if it’s in the Philippines, ang saya (it will be a joyful one). We will make it a celebration like no other. And if it’s somewhere else, masaya din (it’ll also be happy),” she said. 

Catriona is also not wasting her time as a beauty queen, lending her support to a number of charities.

“I’m lending my voice to a couple of charities at the moment. My first being, the Young Focus in Tondo, Manila which focuses on education. Second is the Love Yourself, which focuses on AIDS and HIV, which has an event on the 26th. So to my followers and fans, please keep an eye on my social media [accounts] for that.

“And just really I want to learn about so many different advocacies. I want to learn different causes because here in the Philippines, we have so many people to help. And I want my reign to be fruitful and very proactive in the reign of advocacy.” – Rappler.com