Clint Bondad trends after posting cryptic messages days after messaging Sam Milby

MANILA – Clint Bondad became a top trending topic on Twitter Philippines after he posted several cryptic messages on Instagram Story Wednesday night.

This comes just days after he sent a direct message to actor Sam Milby, asking if he wants to become his "client." Milby is currently in a relationship with Bondad’s ex-girlfriend, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

While Bondad’s posts seemed random, some of them contained the word “Sam” although it is unclear what he’s actually pertaining to.

He also posted that that "dating app" is not equivalent to "church," which made some netizens wonder if Bondad is alluding to how Milby and Gray met.

He also said in three consecutive posts that there’s no need to worry because he is only the ex.

Towards the latter part, Bondad posted “Become my Client, Friend.” 

Bondad also wrote “P.S. I create Queens” followed by another post which says “Because I push Yiu Beyond all your Limits.”

Aside from Bondad, Gray also trended on Twitter early Thursday morning.

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Catriona Gray reveals her dream music collaboration

MANILA -- Catriona Gray was asked about her dream music collaboration in a radio interview on Thursday.

On RX 93.1's "The Morning Rush," the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder said she has always been a huge fan of Tony Award winner Lea Salonga.

"My dad used to play cassettes over and over again of 'Miss Saigon' because it was his favorite, and Lea was the lead," she said. "I didn't know [that Lea was the lead] at the time but I've been listening to the music, so it has become my favorite musical as a grew older."

"And, of course, I grew up watching 'Aladdin' and 'Mulan,'" she continued. "And so when I found out that the voice to all of my childhood favorite songs was a Filipina, I just felt very awestruck, like starstruck. And so she just became a person that I really look up to in music."

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@VERSACE Autumn Winter 2020 Show Lewk ⚡ Styled by @perrytabora in #VersaceInManila #BeloFW2020 #MilanFW2020 Captured by @marchenrichgo

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Feb 22, 2020 at 5:13am PST

Gray said she hopes to have the opportunity to perform a song from "Miss Saigon" with Salonga one day.

When prodded by one of the radio hosts to mention a specific song from the musical, she replied: "'Movie in My Mind.' I'll be Gigi and she can be Kim!"

Meanwhile, Gray said she is open to trying musical theater in the future if given the chance.

And naturally, she would love to star in her favorite musical, "Miss Saigon," as Gigi.

"That would be what I would love to challenge myself for," she said, as she praised Rachelle Ann Go's portrayal of her dream role. "Let's see, but I don't know, I just really love that musical talaga, as in."

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Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa crowned Miss Universe

Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is crowned Miss Universe by her predecessor, Catriona Gray of the Philippines, at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday evening, US time. Tunzi is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown following Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017.

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Catriona responds to criticism over support for LGBT community

Catriona Gray knew exactly what to reply to a fan who asked why a religious person like her supports the LGBT community: "Religion is never an excuse to hate," she said. 

Under an Instagram photo of her promoting the ongoing Pride Month, one of Gray's followers expressed disappointment and asked the Miss Universe winner to refrain from compromising her faith. 

"My belief as a Christian does not limit me from fighting for the rights of others," wrote Gray in reply. 

She added: "I love my God and love my fellow brothers and sisters." 

"Religion is never an excuse to hate, put down or act indifferent to the suffering of others. I believe God is love, and I will treat everyone — no matter who they are, to best of my ability, with love." 



Below are just some of the other comments, a mix of those saying they were inspired by Gray's post and others who criticized her. 

Gray has not been shy talking about growing up Christian, as well as opening up about her support for the LGBT community — the beauty queen was among the high-profile guests of a ball held this past week that advocated gender equality.

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What Catriona told Gazini Ganados after Miss Universe PH win

MANILA – Gazini Ganados has big shoes to fill since she is succeeding Catriona Gray, who brought home the Miss Universe 2018 crown to become the Philippines’ fourth winner in the prestigious pageant.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old beauty from Talisay City, Cebu takes comfort that she has everyone’s support, including Gray’s.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News early Monday morning, Ganados shared what Gray whispered to her on stage while she was crowning her as the new Miss Universe Philippines.

“She just encouraged me that this will be the start, this will be a new beginning. I appreciate it,” she said.

With this kind of pressure on her, Ganados vowed to do her best to represent the Philippines in the international stage the best way she can.

“We’ve been training. Maybe we will create a walk that would best suit us. And [we will work on] the physical appearance and the Q&A, of course. It is very important to be well informed about the things happening around,” she said.

When asked if she thinks her Latina looks would work to her advantage in the Miss Universe pageant, she said she appreciates the comments.

“I’ll take that as a compliment but it’s not just usually the outlook or your physical appearance; it’s usually what your heart says,” she said.

Ganados, who describes herself as a model on her Instagram page, is an only child and was raised by a single mother.

Growing up without a father figure, Ganados developed a close relationship with her grandparents. It is because of this that she was inspired to raise awareness of how special the elderlies are.

Ganados joined Miss World Philippines in 2014, as well as other several other local pageants.

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LOOK: Catriona Gray in Atlanta for NFL honors

MANILA – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray flew to Atlanta on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to attend the National Football League (NFL) Honors ahead of this year’s Super Bowl.

During a Facebook live broadcast, Gray shared that she doesn’t know anything about American football but her New York apartment roommate, Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers, has been telling her all about it.

“Nothing. I have no idea. Sarah has been helping me understand the game,” she said.

Gray said she is more than excited to hit the red carpet because it will be her first one for this year and also a first with Summers.

Aside from attending the prestigious event, the two also got to meet Ryan Reynolds and Bozoma Saint John.

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Catriona Gray’s cover of ‘O Holy Night’ will lift your holiday spirit

MANILA – Before winning the Miss Universe 2018 crown, Catriona Gray gave Filipinos a Christmas gift in the form of a song.

A video of Gray singing her version of the Christmas carol “O Holy Night,” which was uploaded by IM Agency Manila in 2012, is now making the rounds online following her recent Miss Universe victory.

It has over 500,000 views as of writing. Watch it 


Days before the Miss Universe pageant, Gray released a song titled “We’re In This Together” as her way of supporting Young Focus International.

Prior to entering the pageant scene, Gray is known as a singer and model. 

She has a Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston.

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‘Next level fierce’: Tyra Banks wowed by Catriona’s Miss Universe performance

The Philippines’ Catriona Gray, the newly crowned Miss Universe, has earned new fans from around the world after the widely watched telecast of the pageant on Monday. 

Tyra Banks, it appears, is among them.

The American model and TV host took to Twitter in her reaction to Gray’s performance shortly after the Filipina’s crowning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Banks quoted an earlier tweet from Gray responding to her. They previously exchanged tweets about Gray’s trending “slow-mo twirl” in the Miss Universe preliminary competition.

“OMG back at you! You did it!” Banks wrote. “And that walk and confidence? I mean… Next level fierce! TyTy approves.”

Banks, perhaps best known for her original televised “Top Model” search that has spawned international versions, is considered an influential force in the fashion world and has mentored many who aspire to be like her.

“Fierce,” in particular, is a term she has used to encourage or motivate modeling neophytes, as seen in her TV shows.

Gray brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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What Miss Universe Catriona Gray said in first IG post since crowning

“I’ll forever be your Miss Philippines,” went the first Instagram post of Catriona Gray since she was crowned Miss Universe 2018 on Monday.

In the post shared to her followers — which notably doubled to two million in 24 hours — the beauty queen recalled that in her childhood, her mother had a prophetic dream of sorts about the crowning moment.

“When I was 13, my mum told me, ‘Honey, I dreamt of you winning Miss Universe in a red dress.’ At that time I thought nothing of it, and today my mother’s dream came true,” she captioned a set of photos showing her winning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Gray wore a Mayon Volcano-inspired red gown by Mak Tumang for her final look in the weeks-long competition, which saw her ultimately besting 93 other candidates from around the world.

“Where do I even begin? Lord God, I lift everything up to you — to glorify and honor you,” Gray said.

She went on, addressing her country and countrymen: “Philippines, what an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects. I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I'll forever be your Miss Philippines.”

Gray concluded her post by thanking each member of the team behind her Miss Universe bid.

Gray, 24, brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe

BANGKOK -- Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe here Monday, capping a two-year long journey from her heartbreaking loss at Miss World to her rise as visionary beauty queen and social media star.

The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian won the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown, pulling all the stops from a giant lantern strapped to her back, a slow-motion twirl in a hot pink bikini, and a long gown in flame hues that symbolized a mythical Filipino bird.

Fans screamed at the IMPACT Arena here as outgoing Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel Peters from South Africa crowned her successor.

Pia Wurtzbach last won the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in 2015 and the succeeding edition was hosted in Manila.

Tamaryn Green of South Africa was first runner-up followed by Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez.

During the final question, Gray was asked "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?"

She replied: "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is... it's poor and very sad. And I've always taught myself to look for the beauty of it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also 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 faces. Thank you."

FROM THE WORLD TO THE UNIVERSE

Only 2 years ago, Gray was widely tipped to win the Miss World crown, a campaign that ended in defeat to Puerto Rico's Stephanie del Valle.

A photo of Gray weeping, clutching the Philippine flag close to her chest, made the rounds on social media platforms.

Miss World Philippines head Cory Quirino stepped down after Gray's defeat and the Philippines struggled to make the winner's circle of the London-based pageant since then.

Gray reemerged in January for the Binibining Pilipinas screenings, trading the high bun for long curls and the baby pink dress for a short red dress.

In an Instagram post at that time, Gray said much of her transformation happened away from the public eye.

The self-described "stubborn" and "visionary" beauty enlisted the help of a new team and went outside her old mentors' circle, which was largely behind the Philippines' hot streak at Miss Universe since Venus Raj broke the 10-year semifinals drought and finished in the top 5 in 2010.

The Philippines has made at least Top 10 at Miss Universe since Raj's breakthrough performance in Las Vegas. This year, the country's Miss International bet, Ahtisa Manalo placed first runner while Celeste Cortesi finished top 8 in Miss Earth.

FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Gray has 1 million followers on Instagram and her photo on the Miss Universe Facebook page was liked or loved by over 600,000 users, the most for any candidate.

She made ear cuffs a conversation piece when she wore a gold and diamond "three stars and the sun" on her right ear during her Miss Universe-Philippines crowning.

From there, her every move was rife with nationalist symbolism.

Her national costume, while difficult to walk in, paid homage to the Philippines' 3 main islands. A government body praised Gray for highlighting Filipino civilization before the Spanish occupation with her 'pintados' body suit.

Her fire orange and yellow gown stood out from a sea of sheer and gold tones, symbolizing both the Ibong Adarna, which can cure with song, and the rising phoenix from which the Miss Universe crown by Japanese jeweler Mikimoto was patterned after.

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‘Pinoy power to the max’: Tyra Banks has glowing words for Catriona Gray

She has probably seen it all, having screened countless of aspiring models strut on "America's Next Top Model," a fashion reality series she created and hosts that just wrapped up its 24th season.

So when former supermodel Tyra Banks gushes about a walk, it's perhaps the highest praise a model could receive in the runway world.

This Saturday, Banks' attention was turned towards Catriona Gray's "slow-mo twirl" during the Miss Universe preliminaries.

Her verdict? "I mean . . . Pinoy Power to the Max!!!" she tweeted after watching a recap of Gray's much-talked about performance.

This isn't the first time Banks has praised a Pinay. She is a known fan of young actress Maymay Entrata.

The 2018 Miss Universe is currently being held in Thailand, with the pageant's coronation night scheduled for this Monday.

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Meet PH bet to Miss World pageant

NEW YORK – Catriona Elisa Gray is the Philippines’ bet for the Miss World Beauty pageant in Washington DC on December 18.

Gray wrote the script for her own contestant introduction video to Miss World 2016, now seen by more than half a million viewers worldwide.

“Syempre, I’m introducing myself, so who better to write the script than me. I wanted not only to show the beautiful sights of our country but also who I am as a person,” she said.

Gray said her unique name is a combination of her two grandmothers’ names.

“My grandmother on my dad’s side, she is of Scottish heritage and she used to speak Gaelic, which is the Celtic Scottish language. She used to paint these beautiful oil canvass paintings and she would sign her name at the bottom. In Gaelic, Catherine is Catriona. My middle name Elisa is actually taken from my lola on my mom's side 'coz her name was Elsa,” she explained.

Gray grew up in Australia, but as an adult, she chose to live and work in the Philippines as a fashion model.

She may have lived the glitzy and glamorous life of a model, but her real passion, she said, is helping the poor kids in the Philippines, especially in Tondo, Manila.

“I was shocked that families were living with such little resources, that they were getting by on so little. I think if you give a child education, they can really make something of themselves, they can help their families in the long run,” she said.

Being a creative person, Gray said art and music are part of her life.

With less than three weeks before the Miss World pageant, Gray believes she is ready to take on the international stage and hopefully bring home another crown and scepter for the Philippines.

Read more on Balitang America.

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Fil-Aussie model named Miss World Philippines 2016

Filipina-Australian Catriona Gray will be representing the Philippines in the Miss World 2016 pageant in Washington D.C., U.S.A in December.

The 22-year-old model was named Miss World Philippines 2016 Sunday at the coronation night in Manila Hotel.

Completing the winners are Sandra Lemonon, who was named the 4th Princess; Mara Muñoz, 3rd Princess; Ivana Kamila Suficiencia Pacis, 2nd Princess; and, Arienne Calingo, 1st Princess.

Aside from winning the crown, Gray was also named Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Fashion Runway, Miss Hannah Resort, and Miss Manila Hotel.

The candidates who made it to the Top 12 are:

- Sarah Margarette Joson,
- Shenna Mae Zaldivar,
- Yuri Caunca,
- Marah Muñoz,
- Arah Salientes,
- Ralph Lauren Asuncion,

- Sandra Lemonon,
- Ivanna Kamil Pacis,
- Kristine Lopez,
- Alyanna Cagandahan,
- Arienne Calingo, and
- Catriona Gray.

Gray has a Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com