An openly gay model-athlete from Cebu was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021 during a competition held at the Hennan Resort Convention Center in the Province of Bohol on Thursday night.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez bested 27 other candidates for the prestigious crown. She will represent the Philippines at the 2021 Miss Universe Competition in Israel in December.
Prior to winning the crown, Gomez won several special awards, including best in swimsuit and best in evening gown.
Gomez, 26, is also part of the Philippine Navy Reserve Unit. She is also into boxing, scuba diving, and volleyball.
Earlier in the interview, Gomez said that the Philippines is ready to send a member of the LGBTQ community to the Miss Universe stage.
“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," said Gomez, during the Q&A for top 10 finalists, when asked if the Philippines was ready to send a member from LGBTQ community to the prestigious competition.
In the final Q&A, Gomez was asked: "If during your reign as Miss Universe Philippines, things happen in your life that make you sad and uninspired, how would you be able to continue inspiring others?"
Gomez answered: "It is very evident that all of us went through difficulties during this pandemic, but it is also true that we are able to rise to the occasion. And if anything happened to me during my race, I will not give up and inspire others by rising to the problems that I am encountering, and whatever you're going through, you will be able to overcome it."
Pageant veteran Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig City was named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2021.
Before Miss Universe Philippines, Dimaranan represented the US in the Miss Supranational 2018 pageant and won 1st runner-up. She was also Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2012.
Other winners were: Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Cavite, Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2021; Maureen Christa Wroblewitz, Pangasinan, 1st runner-up; and Steffi Rose Aberasturi, Cebu Province, 2nd runner-up.
Winners of other special awards were: Maria Corazon Abalos, best in national costume; Kirsten Delavin, Masbate, Miss Photogenic (Miss Luxxe White Face of the Universe), Miss Lazada Philippines, and Miss RedFox; Dimaranan, Face of Belo SunExpert, and Miss SavePoint Plus; Leren Mae Bautista, Laguna, Miss Bragais Shoes, and Miss Organic Barley; Aberasturi, Miss Luxxe White Reveal Instabright Stunner, Gomez, Miss Creamsilk; Princess Kristha Singh, Pasig, Miss CopperMask; Janela Joy Cuaton, Albay, Miss Kpads; and Wroblewitz, Miss Air Asia Philippines, and Miss Henann.
The fives judges for Miss Universe Philippines 2021 were: Joanne Golong-Gomez, Commercial Director of Hilton Manila; Sam Verzosa, CEO and co-founder of FRONTROW Philippines; Dr. Vicki Belo, founder and Medical Director of The Belo Medical Group; Jojie Lloren, former President of the Young Designers Guild and The Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines; and Sheila Romero, Vice Chairman of Air Asia Philippines.
*LGBTQ member & animal lover
Gomez and her girlfriend Kate Jagdon have been in a relationship for six years now. They love cats.
She said that it is disheartening to know that the LGBT community has to fight for rights and equality "when all of us should be receiving the same protection and treatment as everybody else."
"I would like to ask every all and every LGBTQ advocate to help not to fight but to make people understand the kind of love that we give out into this world so that the society will have a more positive outlook on the LGBTQ as I truly wish one day see a community that isn't segregated or labeled differently because of preference, to see acceptance and equality regardless of how you want to live your life as a human being," the beauty queen said.
Gomez also appealed to the public not to hurt all types of domestic cats.
"I would like to ask everyone to love and if you can’t, just please don’t hurt all types of domestic cats especially ferals as they may seem aggressive, but please know that they are harmless and just fearful of humans, and they prefer to keep their distance.
"Tell your kids not to randomly pet animals that aren’t yours to avoid being hurt. Strays on the other hand are all loving and can be welcomed into your homes as pets," she added.