She is also the first openly LGBTQ+ candidate to be bestowed the crown!
A new queen is set to take on the universe!
Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021, besting 28 other contestants during the live coronation night held in Panglao, Bohol on Thursday, September 30.
Aside from Gomez, four other women were also bestowed special titles by the Miss Universe Philippines organization.
Taguig’s representative and pageant veteran Katrina Dimaranan was crowned Miss Universe Philippines Tourism and placed second.
Victoria Velasquez Vincent of Cavite became Miss Universe Philippines Charity and ranked third.
Asia’s Next Top Model winner and Miss Pangasinan Maureen Christa Wroblewitz won as Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner-Up.
Lastly, fan-favorite Steffi Rose Aberasturi from Cebu Province finished as Miss Universe Philippines 2nd Runner-Up.
Gomez, a 26-year-old openly gay athlete and model, also took home several special awards during Thursday night’s affair. With her brilliant blue gown made by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One Amato, Gomez clinched the Best in Evening Gown award. She also won Best in Swimsuit, Miss Creamsilk, and Miss Luxxe Immunplus Game Changer.
Here is the complete list of winners of Miss Universe Philippines’ special awards:
Best in National Costume — Maria Corazon Abalos (Mandaluyong)
Miss Luxxe White Reveal Instabright Stunner — Steffi Rose Aberasturi (Cebu Province)
Miss Luxxe White Face of the Universe/Miss Photogenic — Kirsten Danielle Delavin (Masbate)
Miss Universe Philippines Lazada — Kirsten Danielle Delavin (Masbate)
Miss RFOX Philippines — Kirsten Danielle Delavin (Masbate)
Miss Henann — Maureen Christa Wroblewitz (Pangasinan)
Miss Air Asia Philippines — Maureen Christa Wroblewitz (Pangasinan)
Miss Save Point Plus — Katrina Dimaranan (Taguig)
Face of Belo SunExpert — Katrina Dimaranan (Taguig)
Miss K-Pads — Janela Joy Cuaton (Albay)
Miss Organic Barley — Leren Mae Bautista (Laguna)
Miss Coppermask — Princess Kristha Singh (Pasig)
During the Question & Answer portion of the pageant, Gomez was asked by MUP 2021 host KC Montero: “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?”
The Cebuana stunner’s response is as follows: “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’re going through you will be able to overcome it.”
Gomez is set to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant to be held this December in Israel. In the event that she is unable to attend the prestigious event, she will be succeeded by Dimaranan as the second placer.
