Cebu City Beatrice Luigi Gomez was crowned as this year's Miss Universe Philippines in Panglao, Bohol Thursday night (Sept. 30). As the first openly out LGBTQ+ candidate, Gomez made history winning Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Cream Silk and Miss Luxxe Immunplus Game Changer among 27 other candidates.
In August, during the preliminaries, Gomez was also the chosen winner of panelists for the video introduction challenge. During this challenge Beatrice proudly brought up her six-year relationship with her girlfriend Kate. She mention that their relationship is "going on seven [years] in a few months."
During the final Q&A portion of the coronation, 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."
When asked during the brief Q&A portion after the Top 10 was revealed, "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."
The replay of the Miss Universe Philippines coronation event will be aired on GMA-7 Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – RC, GMA News.
The other winners are:
Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism - Katrina Dimaranan, Taguig
Miss Universe Philippines-Charity - Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Cavite
1st Runner up - Maureen Christa Wroblewitz, Pangasinan
2nd Runner up - Steffi Rose Aberasturi, Cebu Province
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