Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is currently in Colombia to be a judge for the Miss Universe Colombia pageant, but some netizens questioned her going on a trip amid a pandemic and a typhoon in the Philippines.
Luckily for Catriona, other netizens were more logical in their thinking and defended the beauty queen.
On Twitter, one netizen wondered why some people have high standards for beauty queens but not for government officials.
“Ay, ang taray. Ang taas ng standards sa beauty queen pero dedma lang kayo dun sa mga MIA sa gobyerno? The clownery.”
https://twitter.com/deedeeholliday_/status/1326784107850985473?s=20
Human Rights Activist Francis Baraan IV also found the criticism hilarious on why Beauty Queens and even celebrities are being held accountable for their actions while government officials are being given a pass.
“Galit sa artistang wala sa bansa, pero deadma sa Pangulong tulog sa loob ng sariling bansa? Last I checked, Catriona’s not an elected/appointed politician. Public figure po siya—HINDI PUBLIC OFFICIAL.”
Catriona being criticized for not being in PH during #UlysessPH is HILARIOUS.
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) November 12, 2020
Galit sa artistang wala sa bansa, pero deadma sa Pangulong tulog sa loob ng sariling bansa?
Last I checked, Catriona's not an elected/appointed politician. Public figure po siya—HINDI PUBLIC OFFICIAL.
Yung you demand more from a beauty queen than from your national leaders. You need to check your standards.
— Keische Mae Enciso (@KeischEnciso) November 12, 2020
Catriona Gray, criticized for being abroad during typhoon, answers back: ‘I’ve been doing my part’ | Inquirer Entertainment https://t.co/qzAuK6imtm
https://twitter.com/ccskiesz/status/1327132003972558848?s=20
https://twitter.com/Teenngg02/status/1326778776282402818?s=20
https://twitter.com/ohjhaymeskhylle/status/1326752499466792962?s=20
The bashing started after Catriona announced that she will be going to Colombia for the Miss Universe Colombia pageant.
View this post on Instagram
Instagram user kophunkha questioned Catriona for being abroad,
“Cat, why are you in Colombia instead of helping your own province deal with the typhoon? I have always been [a] fan but especially with traveling during a pandemic? What example does taking this job send to everyone?”
Calmly and gracefully, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona responded, “This invitation was extended months ago and even though I’m away, I’ve been doing my part in working with @philredcross since the day of the typhoon to provide aid and relief to the affected areas. Thanks for your concern.”
Despite being far away from the country, Catriona took part in efforts to provide assistance to Typhoon Ulysses victims.
Gray spoke about the destruction caused by Ulysses, including those displaced by the floods across Luzon, on Instagram in a video.
“Any amount would be more than appreciated 
Join me in supporting @philredcross Relief and Aid services for our kababayans 
. For donation details and more information visit 
redcross.org.ph/ulyssesph/ 
”
View this post on Instagram
She then encouraged her fans, both from the Philippines and abroad, to take part in the Philippine Red Cross donation campaign, which she had recently entered as its official ambassador.
According to Gray, as of Thursday night, almost 34,000 families whose homes were flooded remained in evacuation centers, citing PRC numbers.
Moreover, the support for Catriona continues as other netizens pointed out that government officials are accountable for disaster relief operations instead of public figures who are going out of their way to help.
People forget that Catriona is a private citizen she can do whatever she wants. She has committed to this weeks ago and it is also important to honor commitments. Now, government officials who are earning from taxpayers money on the other hand needs to be here and do their job. https://t.co/BXsn5SgIdS
— Martin Bravo(@MartinBravoMD) November 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/___archiles__/status/1326808555266060288?s=20
