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MANILA: The beauty-laden Philippines hosted the recently crowned Miss Miss Cat Universe Catriona Gray with a parade in the capital that drew thousands of screaming spectators held by the police.
Aged 25, the young man danced, smiled and waved a tiny Philippine flag placed on top of a tank, protected from the tropical sun by badistants with pink umbrellas while some in the crowd climbed electric poles for see.
The already notorious traffic jams in Manila were completely stopped by a police biker escort who blocked the roads as confetti cannons watered the crowd, pushed back by the police.
"I was upset when I saw her and she watched me!" Ednor Yaunbaes, 22, waved a pink flag. "At least I can say that before I die, I've already seen a Miss Universe."
Beauty contests are must-see shows in the nation of 106 million, and winners of world titles are treated as heroines.
READ: "You've made us all proud": Celebrities and Netizens React to Miss Univers 2018 Victory in the Philippines
Gray – a music theory student – defeated more than 90 competitors from around the world at the 67th Miss Universe, which took place in the Thai capital in December.
Social media exploded with clips of fans jumping for joy and hugging each other while the Filipino competitor went through each successive round and ended up winning.
Gray works in a non-governmental enterprise that provides free education to children in a slum in Manila and has lent his voice to some of his country's most controversial issues, including the legalization of marijuana-containing medicines.
READ: Not all Filipinos are satisfied with the winning and controversial answer from Miss Universe Catriona Gray
The Philippines' recent success at pageant contests has helped a country stuck in crushing poverty, weakened corruption and an annual flood of typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.
Gray, whose father is Australian, was the fourth Philippine winner of the prestigious beauty pageant and the second since Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.
"Returning here as Miss Universe 2018 was such a fast journey, I want to scream!" Gray told reporters Wednesday.
"I am so proud and honored to bring so much joy to my country, the Philippines."
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