MANILA – “I hope to make you proud.”

Catriona Gray made this statement on Thursday as she left Manila for the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand.

On Instagram, Gray shared a photo of her holding the Philippine flag.

“Off to Thailand to represent my beautiful country, the Philippines, in Miss Universe. Philippines, mahal kita,” she said.

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Nov 28, 2018 at 3:47pm PST

She also posted close-up shots of her “day 1 of Miss Universe glam.”

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A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Nov 28, 2018 at 3:40pm PST

Filipino pageant fans see Gray as a strong contender in Miss Universe 2018, which will be held on December 17.

They noted her recent stint with designer Sherri Hill – a major sponsor of the beauty competition – for New York Fashion Week.

Gray is eyeing the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown, after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.

Prior to Miss Universe, she represented the country in Miss World 2016 and finished in the Top 5.