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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (left). Image: Instagram/@otop.philippines
Catriona Gray visited Laguna to showcase some of her local products and businesses in her role as an ambassador for the OTOP project of the Department of Commerce and Industry. The 2018 Miss Universe was also recognized as “Adopted Illustrious Daughter of Laguna ”by the provincial government.
As the face of “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) Philippines, Gray will highlight local small businesses in various regions, with Laguna as his first stop.
“I lend my platform to our [Filipino] small businesses, mipymes (micro, small and medium-sized companies) and entrepreneurs ”, said the beauty queen through Instagram today, August 29.
Gray wants to use his influence to help these companies “showcase their talent, creativity and ingenuity alongside their stories in the hope that we can overcome challenges together.”
The beauty queen revealed that earlier in the year she and her team initially planned to go to numerous regions of the country to further showcase Filipino culture. However, due to the pandemic and strict quarantine measures, she was only able to visit her first province later in the year.
“Raise your LAGUNA flag! ”Gray declared. “Now that much of the community is feeling the effects of the pandemic, I feel like my #RaiseYourFlag series has an even greater purpose.”
Laguna holds a special place in Gray’s heart as it is the birthplace and home of his mother for the first seven years of his life.
The beauty queen thanked the governor and vice-governor of Laguna, as well as the provincial councilors and heads of municipalities, for conferring that title on him.
Gray donned an intricate embroidered suit and barong with a matching face mask, created by Laguna designer Frederick Berches.
See this post on Instagram
Raise your LAGUNA flag !! 🇵🇭💛 At the beginning of the year, my team and I had planned trips to the regions of the Philippines to further highlight and showcase our Filipino culture. But with the way the first half of this year played out, that just wasn’t possible. Now that much of the community is feeling the effects of the pandemic, I feel like my #RaiseYourFlag series has an even greater purpose. As an @ otop.philippines Ambassador, I am lending my platform to our Filipino small businesses, MSMEs and entrepreneurs to lend a hand, show their talent, creativity and resourcefulness along with their stories in the hope that we can overcome the challenges, together . . 🇵🇭 Laguna, my mother’s birthplace and home for the first 7 years of her life, is my first stop. 💛 I am greatly honored to be recognized with the title of Adopted Illustrious Daughter of Laguna by Governor Ramil Hernández, Lieutenant Governor Karen Agay, members of the provincial board, and heads of municipalities. 🙏 Maraming Salamat po. I’m wearing an embroidered swimsuit and barong made by designer Frederick Berches, who hails from Lumban, Laguna … my next stop! 🇵🇭 #RaiseYourFlagLaguna 🇵🇭 #SupportLocalPH Captured by @dheejaymagcalas Styled @ justine.aliman19 @styledbypatrickhenry Hair @ kiel.hair, @cornerstone Note: I and all my (limited) number of equipment have been swabbed and we are taking all measurements : use of masks, washing / disinfection of hands, social distancing and limitation of the number of people present in all our visits. #Stay safe
The ambassador revealed that she and her small team underwent COVID-19 swab testing before continuing with the visit.
He added that proper COVID-19 measures were followed during his stay, such as the use of masks, hand washing and disinfection, social distancing and limited assistance.
The beauty queen also tried her hand at embroidery with the help of three generations of Lumba embroiderers, the oldest of whom was 88 years old.
“Our Filipino culture is something that should not only be passed on and continued, but should also be appreciated and shared with everyone,” OTOP said. “We are so grateful to Ms. Catriona Gray for continually giving her love, support and appreciation to our OTOP knitting communities.” /outside
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