‘Romanticizing’ poverty? Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s winning answer draws mixed reactions
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Catriona Gray made her country proud when she bagged the Miss Universe crown but her winning answer did not sit well with some.
At the finale of a fierce competition Monday in the Thai capital Bangkok, Gray, 24, edged out 93 other candidates with her signature “lava walk,” Mayon Volcano-inspired red-hot gown and her grace under pressure during the question and answer portion.
In her final answer, Gray said her experience working in the slums of Tondo, Manila taught her to “look in the beauty of the children” and be grateful.
“And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And this I think if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster and children will have smile on their faces,” she said.
FULL TEXT: Miss Universe 2018 Q&A with top 5, final 3
While her response partly helped her win, one netizen said Gray’s answer was “problematic.” Meanwhile, some said Gray's reply "romanticized" poverty.
Are Catriona Gray's answers problematic? Yes.
— Jai Cabajardashian (@jaicabajar) December 17, 2018
Are her questions difficult? Yes.
Could she explain everything given her time limit? Context and all? No.
Did she deserve the crown? YES.
Now she has the platform to do so much more. Wag kayong condescending diyan.
Looking for the silver lining in poverty and being grateful. It's not that simple. But she's not wrong as well. But I've seen her work and I know her heart is in the right place.
— Jai Cabajardashian (@jaicabajar) December 17, 2018
I think it’s just me but I feel like Catriona Gray’s views are too privileged. I mean beauty in poverty? Really? It’s 2018. Almost 2019. Let’s stop romanticizing poverty. Anyway, I feel like she’s open to learning more pa naman. Congratulations, Miss Philippines!
— KEI (@keziahtuale) December 17, 2018
'Open to learning'
But some went to defend Gray and urged people to cut her some slack.
RE: Catriona Gray’s answer sa Q&A
— angie? (@ohwemgie) December 17, 2018
Naniniwala naman ako na willing siyang maeducate re: poverty mga kumars. Hindi rin naman tayo lahat mulat agad sa una lalo na’t pinanganak tayong may pribilehiyo. Kaya tuloy lang sa paglubog sa masa mamang! @catrionaelisaaa go go go!??
I dont understand why we need to vilify her and accuse her of using poverty as a drama effect for the crown. U guys are so quick to fault someone when i’m betting on her crown no real action to help poverty has come from u
— — (@elliemenohpy) December 17, 2018
wtf is wrong with y’all#MissUniverse2018 #CatrionaGray
To others, it may seem like Catriona Gray romanticized poverty, but imo, she gave an answer of hope in which she considered Miss Universe as an avenue to open the eyes of people who (until now) remains apathetic when it comes to poverty.
— kate ???? (@youngkxix) December 17, 2018
Catriona Gray seems like the type of woman who is genuinely open to learning, so gurl, none of this beauty in poverty again, okurr??? Anyway, congrats love, you were magnificent!
— Catriona Gay (@bismarkymark) December 17, 2018
Sana tigilan na natin himayin at mag impose ng dapat na sinagot ni Catriona. Her heart is in the right place and now she's on an even bigger platform to create positive change.
— Ethel (@econcepcion) December 17, 2018
Aware sya sa mga problem. I think malayo naman na narating natin from yung nagtayo ng coffee shop.
Beauty pageants are popular in the Philippines, where inflation hit multi-year highs in the past months and the poor accounts for nearly a quarter of the country's 105 million population.
The first round of Q&A raised the issue of drugs, which brings to mind Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal narcotics crackdown that has killed thousands of mostly urban, poor Filipinos.
Asked what she thought about legalizing marijuana, Gray said: "I'm for it being used for medical use, but not so for recreational use. Because I think if people will argue, then what about alcohol and cigarettes? Everything is good but in moderation."
Gray succeeds the 2017 winner, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa. With her victory, the Bicolana beauty queen now joins the gallery of Filipina Miss Universe titleholders, namely Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran and Pia Wurtzbach, who won in 2015. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
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