Catriona Gray is Set to Conquer the World, the Universe Rather...

The worlds' spotlight was once again on the pageant-loving country, the Philippines for the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant last Sunday, March 18.

The odds-on favorite Catriona Elisa Gray from Albay won the most coveted crown from the pageant. And on top of that even won the most major special awards like the Best in National Costume in a Mindanao-inspired Jason Demavivas ensemble, the Best in Swimsuit and the Best in Evening Gown wearing Mak Tumang's creation.

Gray got the goods — the brains, the beauty, the physique, the talent — so it's no wonder why she made history by being the first and only Filipina to hold the Miss World Philippines (2016) and now the Miss Universe Philippines.

Now that Gray has the right to wear the sash of the powerhouse Philippines in Miss Universe, she is set to conquer the Miss Universe stage later this year and if victorious, she will continue the winning streak of the Philippines in the Big 4 pageants — Megan Young (Miss World 2013), Bea Rose Santiago (Miss International 2013), Jamie Herrell (Miss Earth 2014), Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (Miss Universe 2015), Angelia Ong (Miss Earth 2015), Kylie Verzosa (Miss International 2016) and Karen Ibasco (Miss Earth 2017).

Meanwhile, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo of Candelaria, Quezon, a dead ringer of Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, is keeping an eye in bringing the 7th Miss International crown. If this will come to fruition, the Philippines will tie with Venezuela as the countries with the most number of Miss International winners.

The Binibining Pilipinas also awarded four other titles. Jehza Mae Huelar was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas Supranational. Gerhard Parzutka Von Lipinski, the President of Miss Supranational is eyeing Cebu, Philippines to host the pageant later this year. 

Eva Psychee Patalinjug was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas Grand International and will compete in Myanmar later this year. Although the Philippines consistently penetrating the Top 5 in this pageant these past few years, the country has yet to win this pageant for peace.

Karen Juanita Gallman will compete in Miss Intercontinental, one of the oldest pageants in the world while Michele Theresa Gumabao will compete in Miss Globe. 

The pageant also awarded the two runners-up with sashes and tiaras by last years runners-up. Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton was awarded Binibining Pilipinas 2017 1st Runner-Up while Samantha Mae Bernardo was awarded Binibining Pilipinas 2017 2nd Runner-Up.

Filipinos take pageants seriously. In the world of beauty pageants, one cannot deny or ignore the presence of Filipinas because they came prepared.

The greatest fans in the world will always cheer and jump for joy once the host announces "Miss Philippines!"