Catriona Gray receives touching birthday tribute from ‘soul sister’
- Nicole Cordoves celebrated Catriona Gray’s 32nd birthday with a viral "Betty and Veronica" tribute, highlighting their transition from pageant mentors to best friends
- The duo continues to break boundaries as co-hosts of the 2 Steps Back podcast, focusing on the unfiltered realities of modern Filipinas
- For the fifth year in a row, Catriona launched a birthday fundraiser for Smile Train, aiming to provide life-changing cleft surgeries for Filipino children
- As part of her 2026 birthday drive, Catriona is offering personalized video messages to donors who contribute a minimum of ₱2,500 to her charity of choice
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In the competitive and often fleeting world of pageantry, genuine lifelong bonds are a rarity. However, the connection between Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner-up Nicole Cordoves continues to stand as the industry’s gold standard for supportive sisterhood.
Source: Instagram
As Catriona celebrated her 32nd birthday on January 6, 2026, it was a heartfelt tribute from Nicole that truly captured the essence of their decade-long journey.
Taking to Instagram, Nicole shared a vibrant carousel of memories that illustrated the many hats they wear in each other's lives.
Moving beyond their titles as "mentors" or "queens," Nicole’s caption painted a picture of two women who have mastered the art of balancing high-pressure careers with deep personal grounding.
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"Happy birthday to my soul sister, travel buddy who keeps me alive, and the Betty to my Veronica," Nicole wrote, describing Catriona as possessing "one of the most beautiful souls in the world."
The history between the two is one of mutual growth. Nicole was famously part of the core team that mentored Catriona during her path to the Miss Universe crown in 2018.
Since then, they have evolved from mentor and student into powerhouse collaborators. From their critically acclaimed all-female hosting duos to their raw and insightful podcast, 2 Steps Back, the pair has redefined what it means to be a "modern woman" in the public eye—vulnerable, outspoken, and fiercely independent.
True to her nature, Catriona chose to celebrate this milestone by looking outward. For the fifth consecutive year, she has forgone a traditional party in favor of her "birthday fundraiser" for Smile Train Philippines.
Having served as a Global Ambassador for the cleft-focused charity for seven years, Catriona aims to raise over ₱200,000 this week to fund comprehensive surgeries for children.
To encourage donations, she is even offering personalized video greetings for those who contribute to the cause.
As Catriona enters her 32nd year, her life is a testament to the idea that a crown is just the beginning. Backed by the unwavering support of friends like Nicole, she continues to prove that her most enduring legacy isn't the "Lava Walk," but the genuine smiles she helps create for children across the country.
A globally recognized icon of grace and purpose, Catriona Gray (born January 6, 1994) etched her name into history as the fourth Filipina to claim the Miss Universe title in 2018. Her journey to the crown was defined by a visionary approach to pageantry, where she seamlessly blended high-fashion storytelling with deep cultural advocacy, most famously through her "Lava Walk" and national costumes that paid tribute to the diverse heritage of the Philippines. Before her monumental win in Bangkok, Catriona had already established herself as a formidable force in the pageant world, placing in the Top 5 at Miss World 2016 and later sweeping the national Binibining Pilipinas titles. However, her influence extends far beyond the runway. A tireless humanitarian, she has spent over a decade championing the rights of the marginalized. Her advocacy work is most visible in the slums of Tondo, Manila, through her long-standing partnership with Young Focus Philippines, where she helps provide education to underprivileged youth. Additionally, as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for Smile Train, she has been instrumental in providing life-changing surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates.
Last December 25, 2025, Catriona captivated her followers by sharing a stunning portrait holding a star ornament, paired with poignant lyrics from her holiday single, "Every Christmas." The beauty queen’s post served as a virtual embrace for her audience, emphasizing themes of comfort and love for those spending the holidays away from their loved ones. The mention of "our star" in her caption sparked curiosity among fans, as she hinted at a special connection or memory that remains part of her Christmas tradition regardless of distance. The post became a space for collective healing, with supporters flooding the comments to share their own stories of holiday nostalgia and appreciation for Catriona’s "unfiltered" vulnerability.
In a separate, moodier update, that went viral in December of last year, Catriona posted a vintage-style image of herself gazing thoughtfully at the silhouette of a man, evoking a sense of "bittersweet" longing. The caption for the post reflected on the painful reality of time and relationships, suggesting that even the connections we imagine to be permanent can sometimes reach their final chapter. By discussing how "forever" isn't always guaranteed, the Miss Universe 2018 winner normalized the feeling of sadness that often hides behind the bright lights of December festivities. Netizens praised the actress-singer for her emotional honesty, with many relating her words to her 2025 breakup with Sam Milby and finding solace in her message that "an ending is not a failure."
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
