Catriona Gray Urges Everyone to Speak Up

Gray's video came days after she received a warning from Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade to disassociate herself from Gabriela, a group that advocates for women's issues.

Photo: Instagram/Catriona Gray

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray recently took to social media to share an important message about the right of people to speak freely.

On October 24, Catriona Gray, 26, uploaded a video of herself on Instagram and said: "Please don't ever allow your voice to be silenced. You never know who's life may be impacted by your words."

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A glimpse into the life of a Zamboangueña in the 1700s 🇵🇭😍 A Mascota is the traditional wear of the Zamboangueñas popularly worn in the 1700s. A mascota is made up of SIX elements: ang corpiño (silk or cotton slip), candongga (panuelo), renggue (upper garment), sobre falda (tapis), cola (the skirt), and enaguas (inner lining of the skirt). Without just one of these elements, it is not a mascota. The designer Erich Miñoza derived his inspiration from a traditional Chavacano song "Cucurukuk Cucudia" 🐓🎶 Ang gusto ko ay mapadaling magsocial distancing kapag isinusuot ang Mascota noh?! 😂 Ang laki ng sleeves! #RaiseYourFlagZamboanga 🇵🇭 Captured by @noel_can.do.it Styled by @justine.aliman19 @styledbypatrickhenry in a traditional, custom made mascota created by @erich_minoza styled with 3rd generation heirloom jewels (special thanks to the Camins family) and @janisfinejewelry88 earrings 🤍 Glam by @memayfrancisco @hairbybrentsales. Special thanks to the Mayors office and City Hall staff.

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Oct 12, 2020 at 6:57am PDT

"You never know who you'll help feel seen, courageous or comforted," she added. "When you speak up for yourself, know that in sharing your stories, you're speaking up for others too."

Gray's video came days after she received a warning from Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade to disassociate herself from Gabriela, a group that advocates for women's issues.

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October 2 is World Smile Day 😁 @smiletrain 💙 I am so excited to be a part of @smiletrain's World Smile Day Live: A Virtual Celebration on October 2nd starting at 8:00pm EST hosted by @Ciara (pre-show starts at 7:30pm EST) Register now at smiletrain.org/wsd and see you there. 💙 Did you know every day, 540 babies around the world are born with a cleft? Cleft lip and palate are serious health conditions with potentially life-threatening complications such as difficulty eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. Join me in raising awareness alongside @smiletrain for World Smile Day 💙🚂 More info on www.smiletrain.org

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Oct 2, 2020 at 2:05am PDT

As of this writing, the clip amassed more than 441,000 views on Instagram. Many followers also commented, including some of the celebrities in the Philippines.

Anne Curtis wrote: Yes!!! 👏🏽

"Yes! Thank you, Cat 👑" Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach added.

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Please don't ever allow your voice to be silenced. You never know who's life may be impacted by your words. You never know who you'll help feel seen, courageous or comforted. When you speak up for yourself, know that in sharing your stories, you're speaking up for others too. ⚡

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Oct 24, 2020 at 1:50am PDT

Someone else commented: "Speaking up is not a crime, but curtailing freedom of speech and expression is. Continue your advocacy, Ms. Gray. With so much support and admiration for you."

Gray is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe competition. Previously, she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018 and Miss World Philippines 2016.

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