With high hopes, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 (MUP2021) Beatrice Luigi Gomez sets off to Israel, the host country for the 70th Miss Universe, today, November 27, two weeks before the long-awaited coronation night on December 12, 2021.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez on her way to the airport bound to Israel. Photos from Beatrice Luigi Gomez’ and Dyan Castillejo’s Instagram.
Just to give you a background, the Philippines is currently at the second spot among the countries with the most wins in the Big Four beauty pageants (Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth) — making it truly deserving of its “pageant powerhouse” title. Thus, it is not surprising to see Filipino pageant enthusiasts already feeling the thrill even with the delegates’ departures and arrivals as this officially starts the Miss Universe heat!
Fans often anticipate their favorite contestants’ airport photos and wonder about the number of outfits their representatives would bring inside their big luggages. However, more than these suitcases, there is something more relevant that pageant fans, and casual viewers alike, must know — the advocacies that their bets truly carry.
After all, beauty pageants go beyond the glitz and glamour, right?
Beatrice joined MUP2021 on September 30. This was only her third major competition and first national pageant, yet she took home the crown! With her poise, confidence, and charisma, the 26-year-old beauty queen is now set to show the universe what she’s got.
More than the crown, Beatrice is part of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and/or Questioning, and Asexual) community, a community development worker, Philippine Navy Marines reservist, and an athlete — things that also manifest in her advocacies.
Here’s a guide on some of the (many) advocacies Gomez highlights as an empowered Filipina.
1. LGBTQIA+ Representation in Miss Universe
Beatrice is the first openly-queer Miss Universe the Philippines ever had. In a country that hasn’t been fully accepting towards the LGBTQIA+ community, her win does not only break beauty queen stereotypes but also furthers their community’s fight for rights and equality.
"In a country that hasn’t been fully accepting towards the LGBTQIA+ community, her win does not only break beauty queen stereotypes but also furthers their community’s fight for rights and equality."
The Cebuana beauty queen is not new to criticisms for being gay. She was criticized for her identity with queerphobic remarks both during her win for the local Binibining Cebu pageant and MUP2021. Yet, despite the disapproval, Beatrice remained true to herself, fought for inclusivity in the pageantry, and showed us what our MUP2021 should not only look like, but also be like.
During her send-off party held at Hilton Manila last November 17, Beatrice talked about her win and emphasized her aspirations for the international stage. “It definitely is a breakthrough and I hope that the rest of the world, all the other countries that still have [sic] doubts [about] the LGBTQIA+ community, will learn from that,” she said.
Beatrice, who further believes that “the world would be a lovely place if everyone is embraced as who we are,” is most definitely ready to wave two flags on the Miss Universe stage.
2. Youth Empowerment
Being a community development worker and a Philippine Navy Marines Reservist, Beatrice mainly advocates for youth empowerment. Her works focus on children in conflict with the law. In the presscon, she encouraged everyone to not look at these children as mere nuisances in the society, and reiterates that they “still have so much in their future and we just have to guide them, and give them opportunities as well.”
By being a high school and college volleyball varsity player, Beatrice also sent herself to school. Now, she aims to use sports to inspire and empower the youth through #ProjectBeaYouthful. Beatrice says that she sees “sports as one of the best tools to develop character forming values, to encourage independence, and to build both physical and emotional strength” among the youth.
Recently, for this November’s National Children’s Month Celebration, she partnered with Save the Children Philippines, the official beneficiary of this year’s MUP, to advocate for the rights of every child.
3. Women empowerment and protection against violence
As the Miss Universe Philippines, Beatrice aims not only to educate people on the diversity of women but also to encourage them to fight for women’s rights and uphold their protection against violence. During her send-off party, she also highlighted how women are less protected from violence during the pandemic.
“I want them to also be aware that there are women who are suffering and that we can do something about it. All of us, men and women, should participate and fight for the rights of women and their protection against violence,” the 26-year-old beauty queen explained.
In addition to this, Beatrice has also helped various institutions for women’s protection. Last June, she visited Sta. Rita Cascia’s Home for Women and Children and promoted their mask slings for their livelihood project on Instagram.
4. Cat-vocacy
On a much lighter note, as a cat-parent herself, MUP2021 also advocates for cat protection. Detailing how she found this advocacy in a 2020 Instagram post, she narrated how a pregnant cat found its way to her in 2018 and made her fall in love. She, then, adopted her kitten, Twix, after a lot of research. She aims to educate people on the different types of domestic cats and how to treat them according to their behaviors. “These beasts came into my life as angels and have helped me cope in [sic] life’s challenges,” the beauty queen added.
There’s more!
The 70th edition of Miss Universe will highlight environmental protection and climate change action, which, according to Beatrice, she can also represent. “If they need a person to do that, to influence other people, that would have to be me, because I can influence other people through my strength and through my dedication and through my passion,” she explained.
In addition to these, Beatrice has also participated in various outreach programs and fundraising activities prior to MUP2021. You can view them on her Outreach Instagram Highlight.
Indeed, it’s Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 26, Philippines! A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a community development worker and an athlete who empowers the youth, a women’s rights advocate, a cat-lover that purr-otects cats at all cost, and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 who aims to be it all.
Beatrice only shows that the LGBTQIA+ community and women are capable of breaking through the limits and stereotypes when they remain true to themselves and their causes. Keep in mind, though, that these can be done on various platforms too — after all, helping and making a change are not limited to the Miss Universe stage. Still, Beatrice breaking through barriers in pageantry and society in general, is definitely an inspiration!
"Keep in mind, though, that these can be done on various platforms too — after all, helping and making a change are not limited to the Miss Universe stage."
While other Miss Universe delegates have set off to Israel this week for the pageant, some have also withdrawn their participation amidst boycott calls in solidarity with Palestine. Just recently, the South African government cut ties with the Miss South Africa organization and winner Lalela Mswane for their refusal to withdraw from the contest despite calls against the host country’s alleged atrocities against Palestinians. Malaysia, also a country that has been a supporter of Palestinian rights, will also not partake citing COVID-19 as the reason. Reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza believes that the pageant is “just about embracing other women” and sees no problem with it, but PACBI, a Palestinian activist group, remains firm calling on contestants to withdraw from the pageant to “not harm their struggle for freedom, justice and equality.”
Graphics by: Nicole Pacardo
Images credit for the thumbnail: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBrbC8olydX/
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