CATRIONA ELISA GRAY — ‘Cat’ to her fans — was the brightest star tonight, crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018: the most coveted of the six crowns and titles up for grabs, each carrying a chance to represent the Philippines internationally.

Despite doubts from rival camps, Catriona — who left Aces and Queens and now competes independently — was the obvious choice. Her performance all night made clear she’s the one to represent the Philippines next at Miss Universe, the pageant Filipino fans love most. With this win, Catriona becomes the first Filipina to hold two major local crowns: she first won Miss World Philippines in 2016 and represented the country at Miss World 2016, finishing in the Top 5.

Rachel Peters, Miss Universe Philippines 2017 crowns her successor, Catriona Gray during the coronation night of this year’s edition of Binibining Pilipinas. Gray will represent the Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant later this year.

Beyond being the crowd favorite, Catriona also proved the sexiest tonight, winning Best in Swimsuit. But it was her evening gown performance — regal, queenly — that sealed her as the queen we’d been waiting for; she took Best in Evening Gown too, along with three more special awards: the Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume Award, Miss Ever Bilena, and Jag Denim Queen.

Making the 15 semi-finalists and outshining the other 14 in the Q&A portion was expected, but we didn’t expect it to look this effortless, sassy, and heartfelt. Her message to the children of war-torn Marawi elevated her to the highest status a beauty queen can reach.

Catriona Gray isn’t just intellectual and pretty — her heart is full of love, compassion, and everything a crown should stand for.

[Read the full transcript of her answer here.]

It was a sure win the moment she introduced herself to the audience during the coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant. This is your Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, folks!

Our Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray

While we celebrate with her fans, congratulations are due to the other winners too — among them our own Palaweña beauty, Samantha Mae Bernardo, who placed second runner-up.

Binibining Pilipinas 2018 List of Winners:

Binibining Pilipinas 2018: #20 Catriona Gray
Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 – #17 Maria Ahtisa Manalo
Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2018 – #31 Jehza Mae Huelar
Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018 – #32 Eva Psychee Patalinjug
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2018 – #38 Karen Gallman
Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 – #19 Michele Gumabao
First Runner-Up – Vickie Marie Rushton
Second Runner-Up – Samantha Mae Bernardo

Ladies and gentlemen, your new queens, the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 winners!

Five of our top eight bets made it into the winner’s circle. Two fan favorites, Maria Andrea ‘Aya’ Abesamis and Muriel Orais, didn’t advance — likely a weaker Q&A round cost them — while Patrizia Mariah Garcia didn’t even make the Top 15 semifinalists.

Special Awards:

Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume: Catriona Gray
Miss Ever Belina: Catriona Gray
Jag Denime Queen: Catriona Gray
Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Award: Samantha Mae Bernardo
Binibini Friendship: Marie Sherry Ann Tormes
Binibini Best in Talent: Marie Sherry Ann Tormes
Binibini Photogenic: Eva Psychee Patalinjug
Binibini Philippine Airlines: Mariel Orais
Best in Swimsuit: Catriona Gray
Best in Long Gown: Catriona Gray
Miss Creamsilk: Michele Gumabao

The judges that selected the winners include: Edgar Saavedra (Megawide Corp.), Mike Brown (Novotel Manila General Manager), Gerald Anderson (Actor), Alyssa Valdez (Athlete), Martin Lopez (ABS-CBN Entertainment), Thirdy Ravena (Athlete), Victor Echiverri (Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines), Precious Lara Quigaman (Miss International 2005), Ces Drilon (Broadcaster), and Sung Yong Kim (US Ambassador to the Philippines).

See you at the Miss Universe pageant, folks! Oh yeah, see you in all major pageants to cheer for our Filipina queens! Goodnight!