Before being crowned Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray was deeply involved in various charitable initiatives and advocacies. These included HIV awareness, supporting child cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care, and aiding abandoned and traumatized children.
One organization she has worked with extensively since 2016 is Young Focus, a non-governmental organization that supports children and their families in the Smokey Mountain area of Tondo, Manila. During her reign as Miss Universe, Gray brought significant attention to Young Focus, highlighting its mission and work.
With the performers and guests of Catriona Gray’s Legacy Ball. PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/CATRIONA_GRAY
Young Focus emphasizes education as a means to overcome poverty, enrolling children and young adults in school. The organization began in 2008 with 225 beneficiaries in Smokey Mountain. Today, it supports 936 beneficiaries.
Since winning the Miss Universe title in 2018, Gray has been promoting Young Focus foundation, a non-governmental organization that works with the children and their families in the Smokey Mountain area of Tondo in Manila. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/YOUNGFOCUS.ORG
Despite the surge in support and awareness for Young Focus during Gray’s Miss Universe journey, momentum eventually waned. To get more support, Gray organized a fundraising event to benefit the organization.
The fundraising event, titled “Catriona Gray’s Legacy Ball,” was held on Nov. 22 at the City of Dreams Manila ballroom in Parañaque City. The private event was a success, attended by donors and invited guests.
“My heart is so full. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone here supporting Young Focus. Seeing so many people donate has been so fulfilling. This journey has been long, but it continues to grow. I’m super happy — it’s so rewarding,” Gray said in an interview after the ball.
While Gray didn’t set a specific fundraising goal, she noted that donations and pledges were coming in steadily leading up to and during the event. “Hopefully, it’s a substantial amount. I want to thank our media partners for amplifying Young Focus’s message. If anyone watching or listening — especially companies or schools — wants to get involved, I encourage them to do so,” Gray added.
She further expressed hope that the Legacy Ball would become an annual event, potentially benefiting other groups in the future. “It’s a wonderful way to bring people together to give back to the community and make an impact,” she said.
Organized in partnership with Cornerstone Entertainment and directed by John Prats, the event featured music, fashion, and purpose. Performances included G22, P-Pop boy group Yes My Love, and Patrick Quiroz, who opened the show with “You Will Be Found.” Piolo Pascual performed “Till There Was You” and “Be My Lady,” followed by Richard Poon’s rendition of a Christmas medley and “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.” Meanwhile, Radha also performed as Cornerstone talents — including G22, Perlas Funtanares, Sofia Jarling, Roxie Smith, and Isabel Oli — modeled creations by designers Mak Tumang, Manny Halasan, Russ Cuevas, Jearson Demavivas, Ulysses Caragayan, and Dia Ali, all close friends of Gray in the fashion industry.
Gray herself took the stage to sing “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. In her speech, she emphasized the event’s purpose, “By being here tonight, you are showing these kids that their dreams are worth pursuing. Every child deserves someone to believe in them. When you believe, you help them see how we can overcome obstacles together.” Young Focus provides a holistic approach to child development. Its programs include school sponsorships, catch-up classes for students who have dropped out, nutrition initiatives for families, and training in computer and career skills. The organization also offers counseling and other comprehensive support.
For as little as P1,500 per month, individuals can sponsor a child’s education, empowering them to pursue a brighter future.
“It’s a long-term plan to lift children and their families out of poverty. But you have to start somewhere. I trust Young Focus wholeheartedly and have worked with them for eight years. If you want to get involved, I encourage you to do so,” Gray finally said.
Be the first to comment