MANILA — Just days after she crowned her successor, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray formally started a new chapter as a Kapamilya as she inked Thursday a contract with ABS-CBN’s publishing arm.

Gray will add “author” to her accomplishments with “Conquering Your Universe,” which will be published by ABS-CBN Books in 2020 under the deal which she fittingly signed during her homecoming.

Gray, who had just arrived in Manila the day prior after being based in New York for a year, was admittedly still adjusting to jet lag — but that certainly did not show as she was quizzed on what to expect from her writing debut.

“It’s a collection of lessons that I’ve learned in the past couple of years that I feel really allowed me to achieve what I did — things that I learned from a personal perspective, things that I learned in regards to dealing with others, and also about giving back,” she said.

The last three years have seen successive milestones for Gray.

She was the Philippines’ representative in Miss World 2016. Despite being seen as frontrunner, she only finished in the top 5 — a chapter which she would belatedly describe as “heartbreaking.”

Gray then joined Binibining Pilipinas 2018, clinching the Miss Universe Philippines crown. Her successful Miss Universe bid that year, at least to pageant pundits, has set a new standard for aspiring queens, with her level of preparation and dedication, as well as her eloquence, patriotism, and passion for her causes.

While Gray is now foremost known as a beauty queen — being the 4th Filipino Miss Universe — she clarified that her book will not only touch on that aspect of her life.

“I want it to be relatable. It’s not about just pageantry. These lessons can be applicable to anyone from whatever walk of life. I just want it to be something that would [have] a positive impact,” she said.

Gray described her voice in the book as an “ate,” or an older sibling sharing to her younger self “all of these lessons and experiences that I feel really built me up to the person that I am today.”

Becoming an author is a natural traction for Gray, who was “brought up with books” and who turns to writing to “process what I’m feeling.”

It’s also just one of many feats she’s looking to cross off a long list, as she opens doors to a career in music and other creative pursuits, on top of carrying on her advocacies which have defined her Miss Universe reign.