Gray, a 24-year-old Filipino-Australian model,
won the title in the Thai capital Bangkok where the pageant
included for the first time a transgender contestant.
"My heart is filled with so much gratitude. There were moments
of doubt where I felt overwhelmed and I felt the pressure," said
Gray, who wore a red and orange dress that was inspired by Mount
Mayon, a volcano that erupted this year.
Gray was asked during the contest about her views on legalizing
marijuana and replied that she supported it for medical uses.
After she was crowned, Gray told reporters the question was
"definitely relevant" and "an active topic", in an apparent
reference to the war on drugs in the Philippines that has killed
thousands of Filipinos and caused international alarm.
Gray said during the pageant that working in a Manila slum had
taught her to find beauty in difficult situations.
"If I could teach people to be grateful, we could have an
amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and
children would have a smile on their face," she said.
Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green, 24 was the first runner-up,
followed by Miss Venezuela, Sthefany Gutiérrez, 19.
Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, 27, made history as the first
transgender contestant in the 66-year-old pageant.
Gray is the fourth Filipina to win Miss Universe and the second
in three years. The pageant was shown live on the country's
biggest television network and dominated social media.
Salvador Panelo, spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, said
her win would put the country on the world map for its "beauty
and elegance."
"In her success, Miss Philippines has shown to the world that
women in our country have the ability to turn dreams into
reality through passion, diligence, determination and hard
work," he said.
The Philippines previously won Miss Universe titles in 2015,
1973 and 1969.
(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Additional reporting by
Neil Jerome Morales in MANILA; editing by Darren Schuettler)
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