It is indeed a no-brainer that the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe Catriona Gray and Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose should spearhead the Coke Zero Excuses promo.

Both ladies are living proof that dreams do come true. Gray’s becoming the country’s best Miss Universe candidate, chronicled every step of the way.  We were all glued to our respective entertainment platforms as Cat slayed the beauty pageant’s preliminaries and how she wowed during the finals with her spontaneity, confidence, elegance, gait, walk and X factor.

San Jose started her singing career at a tender age, as part of a quartet of child singers. She gave her all and best in the many musical variety shows that she was part of, becoming her training ground, mentored by some of the best musical directors singing with the country’s finest original Filipino music icons. Slowly but surely, the chanteuse blossomed, gained her footing and fandoms, and is now rightfully dubbed as Asia’s Limitless Star.

Gray said during the recently held Coke Zero Excuses event at the Bonifacio Global City: “I want to value the little things. One of them is I really want to invest quality time with the people that I love and really focus on building relationships… I mean, work comes and goes, the blessings come and go. And it’s really the people who are walking the journey of life with you by your side that makes all the difference. So that’s my manifestation now.”

She added: “I don’t know if it was just me or na-experience niyo rin. Pero ‘nung pandemic, I feel like I’m very closed off, like because I was always at home and then parang you’re not seeing people often, you’re not around people as often, so parang nagkaroon ng social anxiety in a way, or hindi naman anxiety, but just hesitancy.

“I want to break free of that feeling because I really enjoy myself so much when I’m around my friends,” Gray said. “When I meet new people, when I just take that first step to meet someone new, to start a conversation. So I really have that in my mind this year because I think beautiful minds are made from new connections.”

For the Limitless Star, what she said about manifestation: “Speaking of manifestation, siyempre ang mina-manifest ko ay magkaroon ng mga concerts dito. Tsaka tataasan ko na pangarap ko, siyempre abroad. So ayun talaga ang pinaplano ko, ang mina-manifest this year (What I want to manifest is to have concerts here. Of course, I’m going to aim higher. My dream is to hold concerts abroad, so that’s what I’m planning, and what I want to manifest this year.)”

She added: “I am leaning towards doon sa Broadway because I haven’t tried it pa. Hindi ko pa nae-experience ‘yun so I’ve been looking forward to that. And if ever na magkakaroon ng chance, of course, I’ll go for it. Zero excuses na talaga.”

During the event, San Jose performed “Never Enough” and “A Million Dreams,” proving to all that she is ready to conquer the world of musical theater and, of course, Broadway.

The Coke Zero Excuses Promo

There is more to it than just being a catchy set of words or hashtag. This is the push and challenge to all that it is to realize dreams.

Right now, social media is buzzing with users “manifesting” their goals, turning wishes into reality through positive thinking and action.

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar embraces this and encourages its believers to do the same, foster a spirit of self-discovery, expression and achievement this year and beyond.

The #CokeZeroExcuses promo is as easy as reciting the ABC and singing the do-re-mi, the first three notes that happens to be. Simply upload a 15-second video or photo of your goals with a Coke Zero Sugar product in sight. In the caption, write what you want to manifest, add the official hashtag #CokeZeroExcuses and tag @cocacolaph on Facebook or Instagram.

Exciting prizes await the dreamers. Weekly minor prizes are P5,000 GCash Credits, Polaroid Camera (Fujifilm Instax Mini 12) and Fitness Watch (Oppo Band B1).

The more exciting part, the major prizes up for grabs are P100,000 GCash Credits and iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB).

The promo is currently ongoing up to 24 March, 11:59 p.m. For full mechanics check this link: cokeurl.com/CokeZeroExcusesPromo.

With Ms. Universe 2016 Catriona Gray and Sparkle’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose as prime examples of the dreams and wishes in our hearts, let us manifest it to reality by putting in the right amount of inspiration and passion to all endeavors, then pray and believe in its power, and be grateful for the little and big successes, even the setbacks and the learning from it.

Just like Queen Cat and Julie Anne, no room for excuses indeed for all the dreamers and believers.