Read an excerpt about this month’s cover star Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez on how she dares to challenge the norm to win it all.
Related: Growing Up In A Broken Family Inspired Miss Universe PH Beatrice Luigi Gomez’s Advocacy
Today, beauty pageants in the Philippines are a national obsession—names of candidates make the headlines and social media is abuzz with predictions and comments of the representatives’ performance. But completely unique to our country is how beauty queens aren’t only a pretty face with a sash, instead their title translates into power, specifically the title of Miss Universe.
Former winners have become major personalities and celebrities with a worldwide following. This raises an important conversation: with beauty and power connected, do pageants still perpetuate unrealistic standards for women? Beatrice Luigi Gomez has the answer to the tough question–it’s up to the queen to take a stand and bring a new meaning to being Miss Universe she says, “Each one of us is representing someone out there who is also like us. So, it’s very important that we stay true to ourselves, and we are genuine when we join these platforms.”
Aside from continuing the Philippines’ 11-year streak of placing in the semifinals, Gomez is aiming for a fifth Miss Universe crown for the country, but this year’s Cebuana victor is not your ordinary candidate and she’s unapologetically proud of it. During her Q & A round during the Binibining Cebu 2020 competition, her definition of beauty sealed her as a top bet. “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 imperfection, and I guess that is what makes me beautiful,” she answered.
I’M EVERY WOMAN
It’s only 9:00 am and Gomez already possesses a poised sense of self. Her kind yet firm way as she answers is quite disarming but a masterful thing to behold. More than the representative of the Queen City of the South, she’s the first-openly queer Miss Universe Philippines.
She made history for pageant fans and the LGBTQIA+ community, but the beauty queen also showed what true representation means which is bringing attention to queer individuals without exploiting one’s sexuality into being the only selling point. “I didn’t want my sexuality to be the only identity that I have joining the Miss Universe competition. There’s so much more about me that I wanted to share with other people, and I wanted to normalize the idea of LGBTQIA+ members joining beauty pageants because I may be the first to openly talk about it, but I am not the first one who joined,” she says. The history of the pageant world does not particularly advocate for inclusivity. From the way they talk and walk, it is ensured that they meet a certain standard.
With Gomez, she also had to face criticism for who she is and who she loves.
“I experienced discrimination. There were times when I was excluded from religious events in our hometown because I was a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Beatrice Luigi Gomez
Her nervousness from our first introductions now gone and replaced with a motivated tone to open new doors not only for the pageant world to accept all queens alike. “I didn’t consider it as a hindrance to continue to talk about who I am and sharing my story. It didn’t discourage me to join a national pageant because I feel that it is more important that we continue to talk about it so that people will accept who we are and know what we are here for.”
Beatrice Luigi Gomez tells all from her training to what to expect from her in this year’s Miss Universe competitions. Read more about it in MEGA’s November 2021 issue now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Photography JERICK SANCHEZ
Creative direction JANN PASCUA
Art direction NICOLE ALMERO
Fashion direction and styling JEB FRONDA assisted by MJ Almero
Makeup MICKEY SEE
Hair JAN EDROSOLAN
Nails EXTRAORDINAIL
Shoot coordination ERICA LUNA and MAE TALAID
Shot on location at BALARA CONTENT STUDIO, Quezon City
All Jewelry and watches by MAISON CARTIER
