A candidate for the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant recently made the rounds online after proudly talking about her same-sex relationship in the pageant's virtual interview challenge.
In her introduction, Beatrice Luigi Gomez talked about her love for sports, including volleyball, scuba diving, and boxing. She said that she usually does these things with her girlfriend of six years, DJ and businesswoman Kate Jagdon.
“I love sports and my favorite game is volleyball and 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,” she said.
“I do most of these things with my girlfriend Kate. We’ve been together for six years, going seven in a few months,” she continued.
Beatrice also shared that at the height of the pandemic last year, she and Kate decided to adopt a puspin (pusang Pinoy), whom they named after a chocolate bar.
"His name is Twix and I'm very obsessed with my cat," she said.
Beatrice ended up placing sixth in the interview challenge, which was won by Cavite's Victoria Velasquez Vincent.
Aside from being included in the Top 7 of the said segment, the Cebu City bet also won the pageant's introduction challenge.
This is not the first time that Beatrice, 26, openly talked about being a member of the LGBTQ community.
She first made waves in early 2020, after admitting that she has a girlfriend during the question and answer round of the Binibining Cebu pageant, which she eventually won.
"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 am proud of my imperfections. I guess that is what makes me beautiful," she said.
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The Miss Universe Philippines 2021 coronation night will be held this coming September 25.
The winner will represent the country in this year's Miss Universe pageant set in Israel in December. Currently, there are four Miss Universe winners from the Philippines, namely, Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).