Catriona Gray is stepping into a new chapter—one that trades pageant sashes for running shoes.
From Miss Universe 2018 to her present role as a wellness advocate, Gray is now championing health, sustainability, and mindful living as the newly appointed ambassador of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability).
For Gray, LOHAS is more than a title—it’s a lifestyle movement she personally connects with. “As an ambassador of LOHAS, it’s really about encouraging everyone to be a part of a movement, which is about integrating lifestyle that has sustainability, mindfulness, and health at its core,” she said, citing Taiwan’s successful implementation of LOHAS as her inspiration.
Interestingly, Gray’s new-found passion for running started by accident. After returning from a holiday in Australia, she longed for the calm of nature and casually suggested to her friends that they run around UP Diliman, with its tree-lined campus. That spontaneous outing became the start of what she now calls her “running era.”
“Actually, medyo nagulat din ako,” Gray admitted with a laugh. “It only started when I came back from Australia for a Christmas trip. Na-miss ko lang ‘yung nature. So sabi ng mga friends ko, ‘ah, mag-UP na lang tayo.’ So that’s how it started.”
Despite never seeing herself as a runner, she has since embraced the challenge. “Before, hindi ko talaga gets why people would put themselves through that, pero now gets ko na siya. From running 800 meters straight—‘yun lang ang kaya ko before—ngayon nag-i-8k na ako,” she shared proudly.
Her focus isn’t on medals or marathons but on joy and community. “I just love being outside. I love having that feeling of moving my body, I am healthy, and I am with friends doing it, so ang saya!”
Beyond fitness, running has opened doors to connection. Gray was pleasantly surprised to discover the many running clubs in the country, spaces she describes as uplifting rather than intimidating.
“People are just being positive, hindi ‘yung tipong akala ng mga tao na sobrang competitive ng mga spaces—hindi naman eh! I’ve met so many people that are just cheering each other on,” she said.
Through her advocacy and personal journey, Gray emphasizes that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or exclusive. It can start with small, intentional steps—like lacing up your sneakers, joining a local run, or simply spending more time in nature.
“What I love about LOHAS is that it is achievable. Hindi niya kailangan to be this intricate, elaborate wellness routine. It is really about movement, about being active, about prioritizing health,” she explained.
As she continues to inspire Filipinos through her platform, Gray proves that beauty and influence go far beyond pageants. They can be found in movement, mindfulness, and the communities built along the way.
