Like much of the world's population, Catriona Gray is spending a lot more time at home these days.
And the former Miss Universe is using that time to champion the culture of her home country.
The beauty queen, who won the global pageant in 2018, is using her social media to spread stories of fellow Filipinos, as part of her new role.
Gray, who is now an art ambassador for the Philippine National Commission of Culture and the Arts, debuted a new series on Instagram on Sunday, entitled Raise the Flag, that shines a spotlight on the country's provinces.
In the first episode, the Australian-Filipino star travelled to La Union, on the island of Luzon, where she met women breaking moulds in their chosen fields.
"I feel that there's no better way to learn and appreciate than through the sharing of stories," Gray, 26, captioned the almost-10-minute video. "Join me as I discover and rediscover the local beauty, culture and sights of our diverse and unique country."
The model and philanthropist visited a weaving centre in Bangar, where she met with women who have dedicated their careers to creating hand-crafted cloths.
"I've always had a passion for showcasing what the Philippines has to offer, and just really learn more about our Filipino culture," says Gray, who notes that there's "so much more" than beautiful beaches to the coastal province.
"[I've been] able to experience the weaving centres and see how it gives livelihoods, especially to Filipino mothers who use that income to give their children an education."
The model, who handed over her Miss Universe crown to South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi in December, also visited an event for Smile Train, a non-profit charity that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.
"It's very fulfilling, knowing that this is not only a trip about celebration, but we’re doing outreach in a way that is actually helping our country’s children," said Gray, who became an ambassador for Smile Train earlier this year. While in the province, the organisation was able to give 40 children free corrective surgery, she added.
Gray also met female surfers in San Juan, who she noted are "breaking the stereotypical perception that only men are at the forefront of the sport", as well as attended a beauty pageant in La Union.
"So many different perceptions are put on us as women about what we’re capable of," Gray told the hopeful participants. "Uplift another young girl who may be looking up to you, I hope you carry that with you."
She has also recently released a cover of John Lennon's Imagine in a dedication to the country's frontline workers:
While at home, Gray has been furthering her knowledge of Filipino culture by taking language lessons online, she revealed in a social media post on Sunday.
"Can you guys recommend any good reads or online courses? Am currently undertaking an online course, as well as my Tagalog lessons online and reading," she wrote to her 9.4 million Instagram followers.
"I just finished Educated by Tara Westover and loved it and am taking a course on improving memory and comprehension for faster learning."
Gray spent her childhood in Australia, with her Scottish-Australian father and Filipina mother, and moved to the Philippines in her late teens.
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
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The specs
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- Power: 640hp
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- Price: Not announced yet
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
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Understand What Black Is
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