“A hundred and nineteen million — updated na po — Filipinos!”
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray amused Pinoys when she gave an updated version of her answer to Steve Harvey involving population count during the 60th edition of Miss Universe.
The beauty queen was among the hosts of the recently concluded Binibining Pilipinas 2024 which held its grand coronation at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 7.
In some parts of the program, Catriona was joined by Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, whom she called her “favorite sis.”
The pair amused the audience by citing some of the most memorable answers of Philippine pageant bets in the Question and Answer (Q&A) portions of the previous competitions.
These include Catriona’s answer to the Q&A portion for the Top 20 finalists of Miss Universe 2018, a title she eventually won.
Steve had asked her: “You’re a singer and a musician. If you were going to write a song about your experience here at Miss Universe, what would you call it?”
“Well, you know what, Steve, as a Miss Philippines, I’ve always felt the love and the support of the Filipino people, and I think I brought half of my country here tonight,” Catriona answered before.
“And so I would name the song ‘Raise Your Flag,’ because I stand here not as one, but as a 104 million Filipinos!” she added.
During the Bb. Pilipinas 2024 coronation night, Nicole brought up the question anew to her co-host as part of “quotable quotes.”
“So, Cat, alam kong you know also how many millions of Filipinos we have…” she said.
“A hundred and nineteen million — updated na po — Filipinos!” Catriona responded laughing.
A pageant-centered Facebook page also remembered the 2018 moment and juxtaposed it with the recent banter between Nicole and Catriona.
“I super love this DUO. The humor is ‘chef’s kiss.’ Job well done, Catriona Gray [and] Nicole Cordoves,” Facebook page “Pageant Aficionado” said.
The post has amassed 4.3 million views, 97,000 likes and reactions and 718 comments so far.
The particular clip, which includes Catriona’s 2018 Top 20 Q&A portion, can be seen at the 1:07-minute mark of the video.
Catriona’s updated answer about the Philippine population impressed some Filipinos who quipped that she could be working in the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“Updated si Catriona, I think nag-pa-part-time siya sa PSA. Kimmi!” Banlaw X Spaces host-speaker @pauloMDtweets wrote, sharing a screengrab of a Google search about the current Philippine population.
Updated si Catriona, I think nag papart-time siya sa PSA. kimmi! pic.twitter.com/dwk5OGjyAr
— @pauloinmanila and 99 others (@pauloMDtweets) July 8, 2024
Catriona’s answer of 119 million Filipinos came from Macrotrends, which states that the current Philippine population in 2024 is 119,106,224.
It added that the figure is a “1.51% increase from 2023.”
Meanwhile, DataReportal’s Digital 2024 Report for the Philippines said the country’s population stood at 118.2 million in January 2024.
Last April, Catriona impressed Filipinos with her “valedictorian-like” question to “The Idea of You” star Anne Hathaway for Prime Video Philippines.
“Bongga! Good choice na si Catriona ang nag-interview kay Anne, alam mong intellectual conversation, hindi ‘yung tabloid-ish na mga tanungan!” a Pinoy exclaimed before.
RELATED: Catriona Gray steals spotlight in interview with Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine
Catriona is known for being articulate and eloquent in her speaking engagements.
Her communication prowess has impressed the public, especially how she handled her hosting duties and how her impactful answers to Miss Universe 2018 helped her clinch the elusive crown.
