‘I Could Be Pansexual,’ Says Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Gomez

In less than two months now, the 70th Miss Universe will be held, for the first time at the resort city of Eilat in Israel.

With no time to waste, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Gomez has been preparing for the pageant since winning the title on Sept. 30. According to Gomez, the trainings she had for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant would be part of her overall plans for the international competition.

For now, Gomez said in a recent interview that she’s working on improving her communication skills as well as her Pasarela walk. She also shared her excitement about the national costume and evening gowns that she will be wearing.

Gomez aims to get the fifth Miss Universe crown following the success of Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).

Moreover, the country’s 11-year placement streak at the semifinals (since Venus Raj made it in 2010) is something that Gomez also has to consider. But she doesn’t mind the pressure.

“I actually love the pressure that I’m having right now because this motivates me to work really hard to look at my goal every day,” Gomez said.

There is a lot of hard work to do, but Gomez is focused on giving it her best shot for the Philippines.

“I cannot promise to bring home the crown because other countries have gorgeous and beautiful candidates as well, but I can assure you that I will be giving my all into the trainings, in representing our country; not just represent our country but serve you as well. I will do the best that I can. I know I have a lot to work on and whatever it is, I will give it my all,” she said.

Still on cloud nine

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who met with Gomez on Saturday, Oct. 16, posted on social media that she got high hopes for the country’s Miss Universe candidate.

“We had a meaningful conversation about sustainable tourism, and of course, food. Being a Cebuana, Beatrice’s favorite lechon is from Talisay, where it’s known as inasal na baboy,” she said, adding Gomez “represents the inclusive, empathetic, and intelligent Filipina of today.”

The 26-year-old stunner graduated from the University of San Jose – Recoletos in Cebu City with a degree in Mass Communication. She was a varsity player for volleyball.

During the coronation night held in Panglao, Bohol, Gomez bagged special awards from sponsors as well as the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. For some pageant enthusiasts, winning the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening made Gomez the sure winner.

But during the exclusive virtual interview with OneNews.PH, Gomez said she did not expect to win and still on cloud nine.

“I’m just thinking about it, I never really imagined I would be able to make it this far in the competition. I’m just here for the experience, for the sisterhood and to be able to share my story but achieving the crown is more than what I expected and I’m very happy for all the people who supported me,” she said.

Pageants are not new to Gomez –  she was the second runner-up in Miss Mandaue 2015 and was Binibining Cebu in 2020 – but joining the Miss Universe Philippines is a dream come true for her.

“Miss Universe Philippines is a huge accomplishment for me because it is viewed not just by the Filipinos but the international audience as well so for me, at first, it was too much pressure but when I realized how important this title is, I feel more responsible that I have a task to do which is to represent each and every Filipino,” Gomez said.

A soldier and a bearer of rainbow flag

Gomez broke barriers as she the first member of the LGBTQIA+ community to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines.

She was a teenager when she felt and realized that she would get attracted to a person regardless of the gender.

“I was in an all-girl Catholic school before and it wasn’t unusual for me to be attracted to the same sex because we are all girls and we don’t usually see boys all the time. It wasn’t new to me. I didn’t have to come out. When my parents knew about it, they were very much accepting to it,” she said.

For her, love comes in all colors, no matter how the society labels it. “I consider myself bisexual but they say I could be pansexual because I don’t see gender when I’m attracted to someone,” she added.

Gomez has been vocal about her relationship with disc jockey and entrepreneur Kate Jagdon. They’ve been together for six years now.

Being a former beauty pageant candidate, it was Jagdon who pushed Gomez to join a national pageant specifically the Miss Universe Philippines.

“She’s very happy, she’s very proud. She said that she knew I could win. She really believed in me that I can win the crown. I’m really thankful for her for encouraging me and supporting me way past my limits,” Gomez said.

As an openly bisexual or pansexual crown holder, she aims to use her platform to voice out the sentiments of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community and push for her other causes.

“It is significant and important that I am here representing the youth, the LGBTQIA+ and the diverse women in our country to a wider audience. It is important that we continue to spread awareness and hopefully share that as well to other countries,” Gomez noted.

Since discrimination against the members of the rainbow community is still rampant in society, Gomez aims to be the voice of its members in fighting for fairness and equality.

“We are here. We are willing to do our best. We’re here to spread love, positivity, acceptance, inclusivity and diversity to everyone,” she stressed.

Prior to her stint in Miss Universe Philippines, Gomez was a former protocol officer and executive assistant in the local government of Mandaue City until she became a community development worker.

Gomez underwent basic citizen’s military course and finished the class as reservist of the Philippine Marine Corps last January.  She was assigned at the Naval Reserve Center in Eastern Visayas. Being a reservist is an achievement for her to be able to widen her scope in reaching out to those in need.

“The Philippine Navy has always been my partner in the outreach activities I did in Cebu. They were kind enough to recruit me and I never hesitated to say yes because they prioritize humanitarian causes and (these are) very aligned to the things I worked with,” she said. 

Her exposure to community development activities led her to work on to her advocacy to empower the youth, which focuses on children in conflict of the law and victims of the armed conflict. She aims to elevate this in the international arena through Miss Universe.

“When I joined the Miss Universe Philippines competition, I was very happy to know that they are partnering with Save the Children Foundation which is aligned to the works I’ve been doing in Cebu.”

She is already in talks with the non-government organization to incorporate their plans and system for her projects for the youth.