MANILA – Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon believes that Catriona Gray can bring home the country’s fourth Miss Universe crown.

In an interview with the entertainment website Pep, De Leon was all praises for Gray, saying she has “the X factor.”

“Yes, definitely,” she replied when asked if she thinks Gray can win Miss Universe. “I guess she has what you call the X factor when she goes there.”

“She’s really good at presenting herself, and I think that’s what Miss Universe is about,” she added.

De Leon drew flak last month for telling Gray that she found her remarks “just a tiny bit scripted.”

Gray and other beauty queens have since stepped in to address the issue, but De Leon still felt the need to apologize to the fans of the Miss Universe Philippines 2018 titleholder.

“I didn’t mean to offend anyone naman, and I’m sorry if I did,” she told Pep. “We come from a good place and we all admire Catriona for her strength and how far she’s come in life. So I think that’s what we have to do, just lift Catriona up, especially now she’s Miss Universe Philippines.”

De Leon went on to admire Gray’s determination, saying she witnessed how the Miss World 2016 finalist worked hard to where she is now.

“Since Miss World kasi – we trained under Aces and Queens together – you can really tell how hard she worked for what she wants. And I think that’s something to admire in her. She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it,” De Leon said.

The Philippines currently has three Miss Universe winners: Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).