Their slender figures and striking looks are among the first things people would notice in a beauty queen. Yet, there are more to these doll-like women than just their seemingly perfect physical appearance. They have good hearts and sharp minds. Most especially, they are amongst the most driven individuals on earth because beauty queens know how to work hard for their dreams, in tiaras and six inches heels.

Catriona Gray truly made history when she bagged the Miss Universe crown in 2018. Others might say that it was just a pre-planned work of fate or simply a stroke of luck. But those who witnessed Catriona’s intense preparations up-close would attest that it was a hard-earned victory. Take it from Queen Cat’s fellow beauty queen Nicole Cordoves, who also made Filipinos proud by winning as first runner-up in the Miss Grand International pageant in Las Vegas in 2016.

In an interview for TWBA, Nicole was asked by veteran host Boy Abunda about her key takeaways from Catriona’s inspiring journey in Miss Universe. “You don’t rely on luck. A lot of people would tell you that you need a stroke of luck pero you pave your own way and intend to fulfil your own destiny for yourself, and that’s just what Cat did,” Nicole asserted.

Tito Boy couldn’t agree more, adding that luck is merely a residue of hard work.

Joining Nicole on the show was comedian Iyah Mina who expressed appreciation for Catriona’s nationalism. “’Yung pagmamahal sa bansa, ‘yung ikaw mismo mararamdaman mo sa puso. Ibibigay mo lahat para sa bansa,” she said.