Noong May 4, lumipad patungong Australia si Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray para makapiling ang mga magulang niyang nakabase roon.
Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram post, nagbigay ng update si Catriona tungkol sa kanyang pagsailalim sa 15-day quarantine bago tuluyang makauwi sa bahay ng pamilya.
Sa comments section, isang netizen ang nagtanong kung paanong nakapasok si Catriona sa Australia gayong sarado pa ang borders ng Australia gawa ng pandemya.
Mayroong overseas travel ban para sa inbound at outbound passengers sa Australia mula March 2020 hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Tanong ng netizen, "I thought Australia's border is closed?"
Ipinaliwanag ni Catriona na siya ay pasok sa exemption ng travel ban kaya siya nakarating ng Australia.
Paglilinaw ni Catriona, "closed for tourists but not for citizens or returning residents."
May ibang followers si Catriona na sinagot ang netizen tungkol sa pagiging Filipino-Australian ng beauty queen.
Sagot ulit ng netizen, "I'm aware that she is a citizen in that country but I am talking about the other Australians that have been stranded overseas by border closures."
Tila ang tinutukoy ng netizen ay ang flight ban ng Australia para sa returning Australian citizens mula sa select countries, partikular na ang India, hanggang sa May 15.
Kung anu't anuman, malinaw na lehitimo ang pagbiyahe ni Catriona sa Australia, at walang kasalukuyang flight ban para sa returning Australian citizens/residents mula sa Pilipinas.
Ang ina ni Catriona, 27, na si Normita Magnayon ay isang Filipina na mula Oas, Albay. Ang ama niyang si Ian Gray ay may dugong Scottish at matagal nang naninirahan sa Australia.
Ipinanganak at lumaki si Catriona sa Australia, pero nagtungo siya ng Pilipinas at dito nagtrabaho bilang commercial model mula noong siya ay 18 years old.
STRUGGLE before confirmed trip to AUSTRALIA
Naging bukas naman si Catriona sa pagbahagi ng hirap na pinagdaanan niya para lang makarating ng Australia.
Isang taon at kalahati raw niyang hindi nakita ang mga magulang dahil sa hindi inaasahang COVID-19 pandemic simula noong first quarter of 2020.
Kaya kinailangan daw niyang i-postpone ang iba niyang trabaho sa Pilipinas para makapiling muna ang pamilya.
Lahad ni Catriona: "After countless rescheduled flights, two flight cancelations, swab tests, stress, applications and waiting...I'm finally on my way to see my parents for the first time in one and a half years.
"When I won Ms Universe back in 2018 I made a vow to myself to see my dad at least 4 times a year, but since the pandemic we've spent the majority of time apart.
"I know I'm not alone, as so many families face the same reality in the time of CoVid.
"It's always been a fear of mine, having an older father, of not having enough time with him.
"I don't want to one day, be full of regret for not having given time to one of the most important people in my life. I'm sooo emotional writing this, my gahd
"I'm really thankful to my brand and advocacy families, as well as my @cornerstone family for allowing me this time.
"wala lang, just wanted to share.
"I'm sending my whole heart to families who are in the same position as mine. Praying that you'll be together soon."
PRAYING FOR THOSE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES
Ngayong Miyerkules, May 6, muling nagbigay ng update si Catriona na tungkol sa kanyang pananatili sa isang hotel para sa mandatory quarantine.
Aniya, "Goodmorning from Adelaide! [Philippine flag] 2 days down, 13 days to go for mandatory hotel quarantine.
"I've been calling my parents everyday, we're all so excited.
"I can't remember a time that I felt so much anticipation in the last year."
Nakisimpatiya rin si Catriona sa kuwento ng iba niyang followers na namomroblema at nangungulila dahil malayo ang mga ito sa kani-kanilang pamilya sa gitna ng pandemya.
Lahad niya: "Reading all of your comments in my last post, my heart goes out to all of the OFWs, and to all of you who are also away from your loved ones, unable to come or go home.
"In deciding to come here to Australia I had to choose to either cancel/postpone work or to not see my family - and I feel like one of the biggest realizations I've had in this season is that relationships and family are the most important things - so it was an easy sacrifice to make.
"But I also know for many of us, it's just not possible due to work, travel and border restrictions and other impassable challenges.
"I'm sharing my family and I's story because, I pray that it'd give some kind of hope to all of you who are away from your family. That your families will soon be reunited, just as mine soon will.
"Keep holding on to each other, even though it may be from afar."
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