The end of Miss Universe 2018 was a bittersweet moment for all the candidates.
A total of 94 contestants spent over two weeks of fun activities in Bangkok, Thailand, before the pageant's coronation night on Monday, December 17.
Aside from the once-in-a-lifetime experience, what the candidates treasure the most is the sisterhood that they have formed throughout the competition.
Our very own Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, now Miss Universe 2018, built one-of-a-kind friendships with her fellow Miss Universe candidates.
Catriona was even reunited with her Miss World 2016 sisters—Denmark's Helena Heuser and Sweden's Emma Strandberg—at the Miss Universe pageant.
Helena and Emma were among the first to congratulate Catriona after she was hailed Miss Universe 2018.
Here's the lengthy congratulatory message of Emma: "I am speechless sister, and I can’t stop crying. I am so happy for you. You did it cat! You did it! I am so proud and glad that YOU are standing there with the new title as MISS UNIVERSE 2018. We could never ask for a better woman to stand there. Your personality, kindness and love for this world.
"You deserved this crown more than anyone else in this universe and I know that you are going to do a wonderful job! I can’t wait to follow your journey and I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart Xoxo your Sweden #missuniverse @catriona_gray"
For her part, Helena thanked her "Kit Cat" for the wonderful friendship.
Part of her Instagram caption read, "To @catriona_gray.. Thank you for being my friend. I look up to you in so many ways. You have such a star potential, but yet you’re incredibly humble and down to earth.
"Thank you for our memorable moments and always calming me down when I’m nervous. You.. my Kit Cat, was destined for that crown!
"The Miss Universe Organization just crowned the best Miss Universe ever today! You deserve the absolute best in life, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings you! Meeeeoowww"
Catriona's roommate was Indonesia's Sonia Fergina Citra.
On Instagram, Sonia revealed her routine with Catriona before and after every pageant activity.
She wrote, "Congratulations the new Miss Universe 2018 @catriona_gray
"I am beyond grateful to have you as my roomie!
"I'm gonna miss our greeting every morning and our late night talk. I love you my baby cat meow!"
Nicaragua's Adriana Paniagua was happy to find a sister in Catriona.
She posted on Instagram, "Congratulations Cat! It was such a wonderful experience to share it with you and all the girls.
"Go own the universe @catriona_gray shine like you always had. @missuniverse #MissUniverse2018 #CatrionaMU #MissNicaragua2018"
Poland's Magdalena Swat spent most of her time backstage during rehearsals singing with Catriona.
Meanwhile, Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco shared this lighthearted moment of South Africa's Tamaryn Green, Vietnam's H'Hen Niê, and Venezuela's Sthefany Gutiérrez with Catriona when they were called during the Top 10.
H'hen and Sthefany also posted congratulatory messages for Catriona on their respective Instagram accounts.
This story originally appeared on Pep.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Femalenetwork.com editors.
