Catriona Gray and PH Red Cross Collab to Bring the Pandemic Silver Lining

The Philippine Red Cross said Wednesday it tapped former Miss Universe Catriona Gray to become its ambassador for the promotion of COVID-19 testing and prevention protocols. Gray can show that there is a "silver lining" to the pandemic, the agency said.

The PRC is not the first agency to channel the Filipina-Australian beauty queen's clout and grit to promote social cases. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2019 launched its campaign for the country's first ever A credit rating, inspired by Gray's success.

"Cat is the perfect advocate to show us that there is a silver lining in what we are going through with this pandemic," said the PRC president, Sen. Richard Gordon, referencing Gray's winning answer in the pageant.

Gray beat nearly 100 other women in Bangkok in December 2018, telling the judges that she would use her clout as Miss Universe to "see situations with a silver lining" and overcome adversity. Her coronation came two years after a heartbreaking loss at the rival Miss World contest.

For the PRC, Gray's campaign will be #VictoryOverVirus, Gordon said.

Gray recently raised P1.15 million for Masks for All to pay for the wages of 71 seamstresses and produce 19,000 face masks for vulnerable sectors.

We are pleased to introduce to everyone our newest @philredcross Ambassador, Miss Universe @catrionaelisa Cat is the perfect advocate to show us that there is a silver lining in what we are going through with this pandemic.https://t.co/ZCjVMVWbJH— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) September 6, 2020