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Miss Philippines wins 2018 Miss Universe crown
BANGKOK, Dec 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Miss Philippines was crowned Miss
Universe on Monday in Bangkok after a trailblazing ceremony praised for
featuring its first transgender candidate but marred by gaffes about the
English-speaking ability of two Asian contestants.
Catriona Gray, 24, finished first ahead of the South African and Venezuelan
finalists in the glittering televised event hosted by American comic turned
TV host Steve Harvey and supermodel Ashley Graham.
In the final round, Gray earned applause describing her work in the slums
of the Philippine capital Manila and said if she won she would try to find
areas “where I could give something, where I could provide something.”
She added she would work for a world “where negativity could not grow and
foster and children would have a smile on their face”.
Gray — a student of music theory — beat more than 90 contestants from
around the globe in the 67th instalment of Miss Universe, which was held in
the Thai capital’s Impact Arena.
During the competition, which was broadcast live, candidates were asked
questions on press freedom, legalisation of marijuana, refugees and the
#MeToo movement.
This year’s event drew positive feedback for themes of inclusivity and an
all-women panel of judges made up of business leaders and former Miss
Universe titleholders. Miss Spain’s Angela Ponce made history as the first
transgender candidate in a competition once owned by President Donald Trump,
whose administration has attempted to block military recruitment of
transgender people.
“I always say: having a vagina didn’t transform me into a woman. I am a
woman, already before birth, because my identity is here,” Ponce told AFP on
Saturday, gesturing to her head.
She added she wanted her appearance to be empowering and that she hoped for
a “new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant
and respectful.”
But issues of tolerance and respect came centre stage during the
competition when Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers appeared to poke fun at Miss
Vietnam and Miss Cambodia on social media for not being able to speak
English.
The comments went viral but Summers later posted an apology on Instagram,
saying she did not “intend to hurt” her fellow competitors.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1143 hrs