WATCH: Unveiled by Catriona, new Miss Universe crown symbolizes powerful message | ABS-CBN

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WATCH: Unveiled by Catriona, new Miss Universe crown symbolizes powerful message

WATCH: Unveiled by Catriona, new Miss Universe crown symbolizes powerful message

ABS-CBN News

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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray poses with the Power of Unity crown, surrounded by candidates of the 2019 pageant. ABS-CBN News

Reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray on Friday unveiled the new Mouawad pageant crown, dubbed the “Power of Unity,” days before she passes it on to her successor.

The Filipino beauty queen joined Miss Universe Organization (MUO) President Paula Shugart and Mouawad co-guardian Pascual Mouawad in presenting the crown, coinciding with the ongoing Miss Universe activities in Atlanta, Georgia.

Gray wore the legacy Mikimoto crown when she was proclaimed Miss Universe 2018, and was seen in media tours sporting the pearl and diamond headpiece in the earlier part of her reign, including her homecoming.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray poses for photos during a press conference in Manila in February 2019. Ted Aljibe, AFP

The Power of Unity marks the first collaboration of MUO and Mouawad which, since its inception in Lebanon in 1890, has become an international luxury jewelry firm.

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Valued at $5 million (or around P254 million), the Mouawad crown is crafted in 18-karat gold and hand-set with more than 1,770 diamonds, including a centerpiece shield-cut golden canary diamond weighing 62.83 carats.

“Our creative journey with this first official Mouawad Miss Universe crown took empowerment of women as its key inspiration,” Pascal Mouawad said.

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“This had to be the crown that is not only fit for a queen, but which carried with it a powerful message. It had to represent the coming together of women from across the world, united in their commitment to do good, and make the world a better place,” he said.

The details of leaves, petals, and vines in diamonds, Mouawad explained, represent “communities across the seven continents whose bonds unite them in the common purpose of empowering one another as a force for good.”

The centerpiece’s color, meanwhile, was chosen for its “sun-like warmth” that symbolizes the “optimism created when communities come together to build a better future.”

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The crown’s title, Mouawad added, aims to “send a message to the world to unite in the cause of humanity, and to use this humanity as a shield against biases to create a world of equal opportunity for all humans.”

One of 90 candidates from around the world will be the first to wear the Power of Unity crown as a Miss Universe titleholder come December 9 (Manila time).

Gazini Ganados is hoping to succeed her compatriot Gray to become the 5th Filipina titlist of the pageant. If she manages the feat, the Philippines will become only the second country to do so, after the 2008-2009 wins of Venezuela.

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