MANILA, Philippines -— Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray spread the holiday season’s cheer by giving gifts to children at the Gentle Hands Orphanages on Thursday.

Gentle Hands Orphanages is a child and youth welfare agency aimed to rescue and rehabilitate at-risk children and youth.

“We are giving the gift of giving. We’re giving gifts to the children today,” Gray said during the charity event’s press conference on Thursday morning at Shangri-La at The Fort.

Since it’s the Christmas season, Gray noted the importance of giving: “Giving is so important especially to children who may have been dealt a poor hand in life.”

In light of this, Gray encouraged everyone to share their blessings, saying “Open up your heart this Christmas and give, whether it be small, whether it be large, or anything to make someone’s Christmas season happy.”

The newly crowned Miss Universe also shared the reason why she’s drawn to working with children. “I’m an only child. Growing up, I always wished for siblings,” she said.

“I guess when I became an adult and I reached out to a charity, working with children just really touched my heart because they’re so pure,” Gray added.

A simple gift, she said, “will really stay with them this season and they could have an amazing, positive outlook on the year that is to come.”

The Christmas charity event for the children is a project in partnership with the Miss Universe Organization, Frontrow and the LCS Group of Companies.

Gray is known for her volunteer work in Tondo-based non-government organization Youth Focus Philippines that also works closely with children.

She even released a song titled “We’re In This Together” last November dedicated to the beneficiaries of the organization./lb

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has soft spot for children