Cebu City’s Beatrice Luigi Gomez was crowned the new Miss Universe Philippines during the finals held September 30 in Panglao, Bohol.
The 26-year-old community development worker and a navy marines reservist bested 27 other candidates for the title. She will represent the Philippines at the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat, Israel in December. She also bagged the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown awards.
It was a historic win, too, as she is the first openly-queer winner of the pageant. In her previous interviews, Gomez has been candid about her relationship with her girlfriend of almost seven years, Kate Jagdon.
“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,” Gomez said during the Top 10 Q&A when asked if the Philippines is ready to send a member from your community to the Miss Universe pageant.
Pageant veteran Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig was named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism, while Cavite’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent bagged the Miss Universe Philippines Charity title. Former Asia’s Next Top Model winner Maureen Christa Wroblewitz of Pangasinan and Cebu Province’s Steffi Rose Aberasturi placed first and second runners-up, respectively.
The Philippines bagged the Miss Universe crown four times, most recently in 2018 with Catriona Gray. The country currently ranks 4th in Missosology Big5 Ranking. Missosology.Org; Photos from Miss Universe Philippines
