A viral photo of an ash cloud formation around the Mayon Volcano in the province of Albay has caught the attention of netizens.
The ash cloud forms an image of a woman wearing a crown over the famous Mayon Volcano.
Currently, on social media, many people are talking and sharing about the ash spewed by the Mayon Volcano resembled the image of the newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
But according to scientific explanation, this particular mind-boggling image is actually a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia.
In Merriam-Webster dictionary, pareidolia is defined as “the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.”
Moreover, these patterns are commonly in observance with rock formations, coffee or blood stains, and clouds, among others
Meanwhile, some experts refer it to the consequence of how the brain’s information processing system works.
According to Joel Voss, who is a neuroscientist from Northwestern University, he explained that the human brain is constantly sifting through random lines, shapes, surfaces, and colors.
Voss also noted that it tries to make sense of things—particularly images—when it matches them to long-term knowledge. This results in the phenomenon of pareidolia.
But why do people connect Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray to Albay?
When Catriona Gray joined the Miss Universe 2018 competition, she showcased her Bicolana roots through her fiery-red evening gown and her signature walk that both paid homage to Mayon Volcano.
But that’s not all, she is also the third Bicolana who represented the country in the Miss Universe in recent history. First was Miriam Quiambao of Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay, she was the first runner-up in Miss Universe 1999 and the second was Maria Venus Raj of Camarines Sur, she was the 4th runner-up in Miss Universe 2010.
Aside from that, her famous “Lava Walk” that shows an almost synchronized combination of how lava would flow—a mixture of fast and slow motion.
Furthermore, Catriona’s mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, is from Oas, Albay.
The proud province of Albay will be conducting a grand welcome in their place, in case the newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray plans to visit the said province in the Bicol region.
Source: tnpmedia