Beatrice Gomez: First openly bisexual Miss Universe Philippines winner

Cebu City
candidate Beatrice Luigi Gomez was crowned the new Miss Universe Philippines in
a ceremony staged at the Hennan Resort Alona Beach convention center in
Panglao, Bohol on Thursday evening. The announcement was made on Miss Universe
Philippines’ official Instagram handle.

26-year-old
Gomez bested 27 other candidates. She is the first openly- bisexual candidate
to win the title.

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Gomez was raised
in Cebu City, Philippines. She pursued a degree in Mass Communication
from the University of San Jose–Recoletos.
Her pageant career began in 2015 when she became second runner-up in the Miss
Mandaue 2015 pageant.

Gomez won the
Binibining Cebu 2020 pageant contest, succeeding Steffi Rose Aberasturi of
Mandaue City. She also won the Miss Body Worx Medical Spa, Miss Foton, and Best
in Swimwear honours.

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Gomez was
recognised as one of the thirty delegates competing for the Miss Universe
Philippines 2021 title on September 1, 2021.

During the last
Q&A round, Beatrice was asked: “If during your reign as Miss Universe
Philippines, things happen in your life that make you sad and uninspired, how
will you be able to continue inspiring others?”

“It is very
evident that all of us went through difficulties during this pandemic but it is
also proof that we are able to rise to the occasion and if anything happened to
me during my reign, I will not give up and inspire others by rising to the
problems that I am encountering and by inspiring them that whatever you are
going through you are able to overcome it.”

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Meanwhile, once
the Top 10 was revealed, Beatrice was asked the following question during the
brief Q&A segment: “You are beautiful because of your bravery, because
you are out and proud a member of the LGBTQIA community. Do you think the
Philippines is ready to send a member from your community to the Miss Universe
pageant?”

Beatrice
answered: “I honestly believe that our country has definitely been in a
long way in battling our fight for equality especially for the LGBTQIA+
community. Our country has been very supportive and I definitely think we are
definitely ready to send someone, an LGBTQIA+ member to the Universe.”

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Along with Bea,
four other women were crowned. Miss Taguig Katrina Dimaranan as Miss Universe
Philippines Tourism, Miss Cavite Victoria Velasquez Vincent as Miss Universe
Philippines Charity, Miss Pangasinan Maureen Christa Wroblewitz as 1st
runner-up, and Miss Cebu Province Steffi Rose Aberasturi as 2nd runner-up.

Gomez also won
Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown before the coronation. Miss Luxxe
Immunplus Game Changer and Miss Cream Silk were also awarded to her.