Photo by Shaira Luna
Five of the most beloved Filipino beauty queens Catriona Gray, Michelle Dee, Melanie Marquez, Megan Young, and R’Bonney Nola Gabriel come together during their Vogue Philippines cover shoot and talk life beyond, behind, and around the crown
Surrounding a large oak table, Catriona Gray, Michelle Dee, Melanie Marquez, Megan Young, and R’Bonney Nola Gabriel come together. It’s been a long day at their Vogue Philippines cover shoot, but the energy is still high, and they have so much to talk about. It seems especially fitting that these five are the ones taking a seat at the table–Jean-Marie Massaud’s Seven Table, specifically, its eccentric shape a nexus for their individual views–as they have individually worked to take up space beyond the one given to them by the crown.
Megan Young was named Miss World a decade ago, but has since remained a strong personality in gaming and advocacies. She is known for passionately supporting communities–the same with Catriona Gray.
Gray defied all expectations, in 2018 becoming Miss Universe just two years after failing to secure the Miss World crown. Gray brought in a sense of showmanship to Miss Universe, instantly going viral for what became known as “the lava walk.” Her rollercoaster experience parallels that of Michelle Dee.
On her third attempt at Miss Universe Philippines before aging out of the competition, Dee took home the crown. Dee is the daughter of Melanie Marquez Dee, whose witticisms inspired pageant aspirants the world over (Young included, as mentioned in the video); the younger Dee vies for the Miss Universe title this November 2023 at El Salvador. Should all go well, the crown will be passed to her by a very familiar face: R’Bonney Nola Gabriel, the Filipino-American fashion designer currently holding the title of Miss Universe.
The table becomes a safe space for them to speak with each other, a group of five women who will understand their experience like few others could. In the video, which reflects as well their collective story for Vogue Philippines’ October 2023 cover, the group highlight advocacy, finding their personal joys, their next acts. The common theme was clear: gratitude for the crown, and how they become symbols of joy to others. Watch the video to understand exactly why that joy resonates.
Catriona Gray, Michelle Dee, Melanie Marquez, Megan Young, and R’Bonney Nola Gabriel sit on B&B Italia Jens Chairs by Antonio Citterio around a B&B Italia Seven Table by Jean-Marie Massaud. A Louis Poulsen PH 3 1/2 – 2 1/2 Table Lamp in Red by Poul Henningsen holds court behind them.
Photographs by Shaira Luna. Beauty Editor: Joyce Oreña. Fashion Director: Pam Quiñones. Introduction: Audrey Carpio. Stylists: Neil de Guzman, Steven Coralde. Makeup: Gery Peñaso, Jelly Eugenio, Zidjian Paul. Hair: Brent Sales, Dale Mallari, Nelly Tolentino. Nails: Extraordinail. Talents: Catriona Gray, Megan Young, Melanie Marquez, Michelle Dee, R’Bonney Gabriel. Art Director: Jann Pascua. Production Design: Justine Arcega-Bumanlag. Producers: Bianca Zaragoza, Anz Hizon. Multimedia Artist: Tinkerbell Poblete. Photographer’s Assistant: Emelito Lansangan. Stylist’s Assistants: Chelsy Estrada, Em Liesel, Geno Espidol. Production Assistant: Patricia Co. Makeup Assistants: Jannine Bance, Jelly Dy, Shua Alcantara. Hair Assistant: Rommel Hermoso. Production Design Assistants: John Amon, Jeber Cunanan, Mario Taipen, Olderico Bondoc, Rodel Bondoc. Interns: Dominique Tan, Jilliane Santos, Sofia Ante. Shot on location at The Penthouse at Twenty-Four Seven McKinley. Special thanks to B&B Italia Manila and Focus Global Inc. Video Production: Think Tank Manila. Video director: Quintin P. Cu-Unjieng. Executive Producers: Mela Valdez-Diaz and JLo Moreno. Production Assistant: Claire De Castro. Editor: Bianx Basilio. Cinematographer: Ian Guevara. Gaffer: Leonidas Caspe. Camera Operators: Mick Tuyay, Vince Cidro, Lexus Diestro, Timmothy Axibal. Playback and Monitoring: Patricia Seechua. Live sound: Samuel Valenia & Angelou Andaca. Sound mixing: Jason Conanan
- Crown Conversations with Megan, Catriona, R’Bonney, Melanie and Michelle
- Watch Catriona Gray, Michelle Dee, Melanie Marquez, Megan Young, and R’Bonney Nola Gabriel Talk Happiness Beyond the Crown During Their Vogue Philippines Cover Shoot
- R’Bonney Gabriel On The 5 Habits That Keep Herself Grounded
- Catriona Gray On The Joys and Expectations Of Womanhood
