CROWNING CATRIONA GRAY Miss Universe Philippines 2018 should be a no-brainer — but nothing’s official until it’s announced at tonight’s grand coronation finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Two years ago, when she lost Miss World 2016 to Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle, we were among the legion of pageant fans devastated by the announcement. Catriona finished in the Top 5 but missed the Top 3 altogether, those spots going to Yaritza Reyes of the Dominican Republic and Natasha Mannuela of Indonesia.

Isn’t she gorgeous? From her feat at the Miss World 2016, Catriona Gray is on to winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2018 crown, and her fans are mega excited.

We were among those hoping Catriona would join Binibining Pilipinas and eventually win the Miss Universe Philippines crown, to battle it out once more at the most popular pageant in the entire universe: the well-celebrated Miss Universe pageant. Miss Universe day is, without question, practically a holiday for gay and gay-at-heart fans in the Philippines.

Catriona never promised to join, so it was a surprise and delight when she signed up earlier this year. We all cheered her on, even as some camps backed other candidates and took shots at her along the way.

That look. Catriona Gray!

Oh sweet holy child!

The fact is, Catriona is the best candidate we have right now to win the next Miss Universe crown for the Philippines. There are 39 other equally beautiful hopefuls after the Miss Universe Philippines 2018 title, but none quite match her — they can settle for the other crowns and sashes on offer: Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Globe, and the rest. It’s Catriona Gray for Miss Universe.

[Read about our Top 8 bets for the crown in this post.]

So as fans and supporters flock to the Araneta Coliseum tonight, may Catriona get what she deserves — and may Filipino pageant fans get not just what their hearts want, but the candidate who truly deserves to represent them.

Do you hear them? Do you hear us?

Definitely the beauty to beat in tonight’s edition of Binibining Pilipinas 2018.

Will she win the Miss Universe Philippines crown tonight?

See more stunning photos of Catriona in this post.