The pride of Cebu City and LGBTQ+ community: Get to know Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Gomez
“I will not give up and inspire others by rising to the problem that I’m encountering, and by inspiring them that whatever you’re going through, you will be able to overcome it.”
Beatrice Luigi Gomez made local pageant history for being the first LGBTQ+ candidate to be crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2021.
The 26-year-old Cebuana bested 27 other candidates who vied for the Miss Universe Philippines crown in Panglao, Bohol. Reigning queen Rabiya Mateo passed on the “Filipina” crown, which represents the “true meaning of womanhood,” to Gomez.
Taguig City’s Katrina Dimaranan was Miss Universe Philippines Tourism, and Cavite’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent was Miss Universe Philippines Charity.
Meanwhile, Pangasinan representative Maureen Wroblewitz was the first runner-up and Cebu Province’s Steffi Aberasturi was second runner-up.
Prior to being crowned, Beatrice was among the top contenders in the pageant. She also bagged four awards: Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Luxxe ImmunPlus Game Changer, and Miss Creamsilk.
Get to know more about the newly crowned queen Beatrice Luigi Gomez, who will represent the country in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Israel in December.
She’s a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community
Beatrice first caught the attention of netizens when she revealed in the interview challenge that she’s been in a relationship with her girlfriend Kate Jagdon.
The out-and-proud beauty queen’s girlfriend Kate Jagdon is a DJ and entrepreneur. They have been together for six years.
“I love sports and my favorite game is volleyball. When I have free time, I go to the beach. I go scuba diving and when I want to spice up my workouts, I do a few rounds of boxing. I do most of these things with my girlfriend Kate. We’ve been together for six years, going seven in a few months,” she said.
This wasn’t the first time Beatrice openly spoke about Kate. She also talked about being in a same-sex relationship when she competed in the Binibining Cebu pageant.
As an openly queer beauty queen, Beatrice is no stranger to homophobia. She was asked if the Philippines is “ready” for an LGBTQ+ representative in the international pageant scene during the Q&A portion of the Top 10 semifinalists.
Her answer? “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,” she said.
She is no pageant patty
Beatrice is no stranger to the world of pageantry. In fact, she was also crowned as Binibining Cebu 2020. She clinched the crown after she said in the Q&A portion that her “bravery” and “being true” make her beautiful.
“I guess what makes me beautiful is my bravery and being true to myself. To tell you guys honestly, I have a girlfriend. I have tattoos. And I’m very proud of my imperfections. I guess that’s what makes me beautiful,” she said.
Even if Beatrice is an experienced beauty queen, Kate revealed that she was initially “scared” to compete in the Binibining Cebu pageant.
“Just be your authentic self the way you have always been since the day I first met you, I’m sure the people will love you for being you, just like I do,” she added.
Beatrice also competed in the Miss Mandaue 2015 pageant where she was second runner-up. At age 15, she competed—and won—her first beauty title as Miss Cebu City Olympics 2010.
She loves to move
Beatrice has always been open about her love for sports. In the pageant's introduction and interview challenges, she shared that she’s a former volleyball varsity player.
“I am a huge sports enthusiast. As a former volleyball varsity player, I still continue to play sports but I am now more interested in boxing, scuba diving, and I’m a huge MMA fan,” she said.
Beatrice’s introduction video, which she also won, showed off her sporty side. The beauty queen was seen sparring with a fellow boxer and snorkeling underwater.
To top it all off, she’s also a “huge adrenaline junkie” where she “recently finished a 42-kilometer run.”
The beauty queen also revealed that she’s a proud member of the Philippine Navy Reserve Unit.
With these inspiring qualities, it’s no wonder that Beatrice will be an inspiration for women to defy stereotypes and pre-conceived standards. Now prance, our newly crowned “hakot” queen.
A delayed telecast of the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night will be available on ABS-CBN’s YouTube channel, iWantTFC, TFX IPTV, and free TV via GMA on Oct. 3.
Banner and thumbnail photos from @beatriceluigigmz, @jonunson, and @larloray’s Instagram accounts