Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray stands up for equal rights, Filipinos, and unity in the Philippines with her song, R.Y.F (Raise Your Flag).
During the media event for her song, Catriona recalled a part of the song that should uplift her Filipino listeners.
“There’s a lyric in the song of R.Y.F that says, “Learn to lift each other up, we’ll be stronger, together we’ll reach for the impossible.” Because it can feel so overwhelming when you’re facing something that seems bigger than you, and you feel like you’re alone in it.”
Catriona added that the song’s message is about standing up for her fellow countrymen, their rights, and their well-being.
“I really believe that this whole song’s message is about standing up for someone or something. And that could easily be adapted to standing up for your fellow countrymen. Standing up for their rights, for their safety, for their well-being.”
Catriona then expressed that people can help in “small” ways, especially in this pandemic.
“I know it can be very trying for us because there are so many surmounting challenges that each of us faces. Around the world, really, not just in the Philippines. So it’s really just trying to see how you can be of help to someone in even the smallest way.”
She also urged people hearing her song to try and listen to one another and move forward.
“I’m all for standing up for something, but we also have to emphasize that we need to listen. We also need to have that conversation because that is how we can move forward together.”
R.Y.F (Raise Your Flag) is a 2019 song inspired by Catriona’s statements during her Miss Universe journey.
Though KZ Tandingan originally recorded the single for Star Music, Catriona now lends her own voice to the inspiring song of courage. It is available on all digital music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
