Catriona Gray’s ‘Legacy Ball’ to provide free education to more underprivileged youth

IT HAS been years since Catriona Gray ended her reign as Miss Universe, but she continues her advocacy work through Young Focus Philippines, giving underprivileged Filipino youth access to quality education.

The 30-year-old Filipina beauty queen aims to reach more children and provide them with free education through a fundraising event called “Catriona Gray’s Legacy Ball.” Young Focus Philippines, a non-government organization that works with children and their families in Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila, will be its beneficiary.

During the media conference of her “Legacy Ball” on Tuesday, Gray told republicasia that “training” and “paying teachers better” are among the factors that should be prioritized for the Philippines to attain a more equitable education system for all Filipinos.

“When you think about it, they really are the stewards of the classroom, and sometimes, they have 30 to 40 to 50 children’s minds under their influence,” she said. “So, to make sure that they’re teaching of a high quality I think is really important.”

For Gray, all Filipino children should have “accessible, quality, affordable, and free education.” 

“It shouldn’t be a privilege. Education shouldn’t be a privilege for a few, it should be a right for all,” she stressed.

The beauty queen has been working with Young Focus Philippines, even before she joined the Miss Universe pageant. She first visited the organization in May 2016, and since then, it has become the focus of her advocacy work, highlighting the importance of education for poor Filipinos.

Young Focus Philippines has now given free education to 936 Filipinos, from its 225 beneficiaries when it started in 2008.

Student partners

Aside from Gray, Young Focus Philippines has collaborated with youth volunteer groups from different state universities and colleges.

Project Manager Ram Banzuela said a group of students from Manila plans to donate a portion of their earnings from their project business to the organization.

“It’s really great to see how these young people are so inspired [by] what we do in Young Focus,” he said, continuing that these students have the heart to create a positive change in the community.

“It also means for us na hindi lang adults yung may kakayahan na magbigay ng positive impact sa community but also the youth, even the children,” he added.

Gray said there are many ways other young individuals can help organizations like Young Focus Philippines. One example is initiating a fundraising event, like hosting a potluck dinner, with their friends or workmates.

“Ako naman I’d like to encourage people to get more people involved,” Gray shared. “It allows you to have that ripple effect to get other people involved.”

“Just to educate yourself [on] what options out there, what organizations out there that you resonate and connect with, and then just do it. Translate the sentiment to the action,” she added.

Auction

Gray will auction several fashion pieces she has worn in the past years in her “Legacy Ball” to raise funds for Young Focus Philippines.

One of the pieces to be auctioned is the creation of Filipino fashion designer Jearson Demavivas, featuring T’nalak skirt and Calado barong top. Gray wore the ensemble when she attended a charity dinner for the Bantay Bata organization in Toronto, Canada in 2019.

The funds that will be raised from Gray’s “Legacy Ball” will be allocated to Young Focus Philippines’ sponsorships, improvement of their learning facilities and buildings, extracurricular programs for students like job preparation and information technology courses, and programs for dropout students.

“It’s a very comprehensive approach that they give at Young Focus, which is why I believe in what they do so greatly,” Gray said.

The “Legacy Ball” will be held on November 22 at the City of Dreams Manila ballroom in Parañaque City. It will be attended by several invited guests and donors.