Filipino-Australian Catriona Gray made Filipinos from around the globe proud when she won this year’s Miss Universe, but probably not as proud as her parents, as seen in their reactions captured in this viral video.
Twitter user Michael Patrick Strahan (@MikeInCambodia) shared earlier today the now-viral video of the 24-year-old beauty queen’s parents who were over the moon when host Steve Harvey announced the winner of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant at the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
“I sat next to Catriona Gray’s parents, and this was their reaction when their daughter, Miss Philippines, won Miss Universe,” Strahan wrote in the caption.
In the video, Catriona’s Australian-Scottish father Ian Gray can be seen giving her daughter a standing ovation as he clutches onto his walking cane to stand.
Her Filipina mother Normita Ragas Magnayon, on the other hand, can be seen crying tears of joy as she hugs and kisses her husband.
People from the audience, including Strahan, can be seen and heard congratulating the proud parents.
I sat next to Catriona Gray’s parents, and this was their reaction when their daughter, Miss Philippines, won Miss Universe. pic.twitter.com/1Wu9ysdhEA
— MikeinCambodia (@MikeInCambodia) December 17, 2018
Strahan told Coconuts Manila through a Twitter message that he’s an American who has been teaching English in Cambodia for over five years. He shared that he was a longtime fan who “finally got to fulfill his dream of attending Miss Universe.”
He was at the pageant to support Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat and Miss Vietnam H’Hen Niê.
He shared that he wanted to support them both after the controversial comments made by Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers who mocked the non-English speaking beauty queens.
While Summers made it to the top 20, she went home empty-handed.
Asked if Strahan knew he was sitting beside Gray’s parents, he said: “I had no idea they were Catriona’s parents until a Filipino couple I befriended told me after 2 hours into the pageant!”
“I started shouting, ‘Just give the crown to Mr. Gray’s daughter!’ which made him and everyone laugh,” he said.
True enough, you can hear Strahan saying that in the video.
He added: “The crowd knew Catriona was the winner. It was just a race to see who would be first runner-up.”
He shared that he wanted to capture the reaction of Catriona’s parents because “I knew Catriona would win” and because no one else seemed to document their anticipation.
Strahan stated that he didn’t expect his video to go viral. “I just wanted to capture the parents’ reaction to their daughter’s win because what a memory that would make! I was so overjoyed and emotional watching everyone around them congratulate them!” he said.
“It was a big family of many nations reaching out to them and extending their congratulations. That touched me. People were happy and uplifting at this event, and it was nice to see the humanity again!” he told Coconuts.
The video had over 358,000 views, 56,000 likes, and 19,000 retweets on Twitter as of this article’s posting. Netizens absolutely loved the priceless moment.
Twitter user @itsmetinP wrote: “A very emotional moment indeed… [Thank] you sir!”
A very emotional moment indeed …. thank you sir! 😉#MissUniverse2018 #MissPhilippines #CatrionaGray
— 💞 Ms. G 💞 (@itsmetinP) December 17, 2018
“I’m teary-eyed. I’m so proud to be #pinoy,” wrote @iemjempot.
I’m teary eyed 😢 I’m so proud to be #pinoy
— ᒍEᗰᑭOT ✨ (@iemjempot) December 17, 2018
“Thank you for sharing! I’m Filipino-American and just so proud of #MissPhilippines winning #MissUniverse2018. So happy for her and her proud parents!” @Ara_Maris said.
Thank you for sharing! I’m Filipino-American and just so proud of #MissPhilippines winning #MissUniverse2018. So happy for her and her proud parents! 🙌🏻✨🇵🇭😃
— Anne V (@Ara_Maris) December 17, 2018
“This is so heartwarming!!!! Thank you for capturing this, good sir!” wrote @carnajecarlo.
This is so heart warming!!!! Thank you for capturing this, good sir! Much love from YYZ
— Carlo C (@carnajecarlo) December 17, 2018
“I’ve watched it several times and can’t stop my tears from falling. Thank you for your support,” said @im_jorzkiejor.
I’ve watched it several times and can’t stop my tears from falling. Thank you for your support💖.🇵🇭
— jorin apostol (@im_jorzkiejor) December 17, 2018
Catriona is the fourth Filipina to bring home the Miss Universe crown after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973, and Gloria Diaz in 1969.
READ: PH’s Catriona Gray is Miss Universe 2018
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