IPINAGTANGGOL ni Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray ang reigning Miss Universe na si Harnaaz Sandhu na kasalukuyang bina-bash online dahil sa kanyang katawan.
Naging usap-usapan kasi ang larawan ng 21 year-old beauty queen title holder sa social media matapos mapansin ng ilan na tila nadagdagan ang timbang ng dalaga na siyang rason bakit nakakatanggap ito ng pambubully sa mga netizens.
Sa ginanap na contract signing ni Catriona kahapon bilang host ng “Top Class”, The Rise to P-Pop Stardom na isang music competition, ibinahagi niya ang kanyang saloobin ukol sa kinakaharap na pambubully sa kanyang kapwa beauty queen.
“It’s unfortunate that the public still finds the need to tear a woman down in that way. We’re campaigning so hard that beauty queen title or Miss Universe should be more than an image,” saad ni Catriona.
Aniya, hindi siya natutuwa at nadidismaya siya sa tuwing may mga dina-down na tao dahil lamang sa kanilang pisikal na pangangatawan, lalo na sa mga babae.
Bukod pa rito, hindi lang naman daw nasusukat sa size ng katawan ang pagiging beauty queen lalo na dahil may mga responsibilidad na kaakibat sa bawat mananalong kandidata sa Miss Universe.
Pagpapatuloy ni Catriona, “And she is not limited by what her body shape is. She’s a spokesperson at the end of the day. That’s what I believe. And she’s effectively doing her role as Miss Universe and I feel that she should be celebrated.”
Giit pa niya, hindi raw maganda ang maidudulot nito sa mga batang makakabasa sa social media na pwedeng makaapekto sa paraan kung paano nila tanggapin at mahalin ang kanilang nga sarili.
“So, let’s just not use derogatory terms in that way. Let’s celebrate women and it’s women’s month pa. And let’s celebrate women for what they give to the table, which is their voice, their platform and that’s what Miss Universe does,” sey ni Catriona.
Nagbigay naman ng mensahe ang beauty queen sa mga kapwa kababaihan na nawawalan na ng pag-asa na maabot ang kanilang mga inaasam na pangarap dahil sa nangyaring pandemya.
“I really sympathize with young women everywhere because pandemic is not being kind of everyone. It placed challenges on paths to dream and I don’t think any of us foresaw.
“But I would encourage those young women to remember what that dream was. There’s coming a time when it’s time to dream again and to continue towards that even if it’s [in] small increments at a time,” payo ni Catriona.
Dagdag pa niya, “But I understand the feeling of ‘Maybe it’s not my time. Maybe it’s passed already.’ It hasn’t passed. And that’s what I want to encourage everyone watching. Your time has not passed. Your time is still here and it’s up to you to keep going towards that.”
Huwag na huwag daw kakalimutang i-enjoy ang daan patungo sa pangarap at palaging i-celebrate kahit ang mga malilit na achievements, ayon kay Catriona.
“It’s just… remember to stop and smell the roses or stuff and enjoy your accomplishments. Don’t let them just be a stepping stone but really enjoy how far you’ve come.
“I mean, any of us could look back on a time where we thought we’d never come this far and yet here we are, still going on, still standing. We should be really proud of ourselves of how far we’ve come,” sey pa ni Catriona.
Related Chika:
Indian model-actress na si Harnaaz Sandhu waging 2021 Miss Universe