Bea Gomez shared her advice to this year's new batch of Miss Universe Philippines candidates.

The beauty queen, who won the title in 2021, highlighted that a candidate needs to view the Miss Universe pageant as a platform.

"Most of the girls kasi, they join pageants because they want to experience what [a] pageant is like. But as we all see in this year's Miss Universe, you have to go to the pageant with experience. You have to see Miss Universe as a platform talaga," she pointed out in an interview with PEP.

Bea added: "You're not just going there to experience [the pageant], but to bring all your experiences and then show to everyone what you can offer."

The beauty queen also stressed that a Miss Universe representative needs to be a "transformation leader."

She also said that authenticity and having a strong core are vital to bring to the pageant's stage.

Bea competed in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel in 2021 and finished in the top 5.

Aside from Bea, Miss Universe Philippines winner Celeste Cortesi also recently shared a message to the new candidates of the pageant.

"Good luck to all the beautiful women competing for @themissuniverseph👑. With or without a crown you’re all queens!" she posted on her Instagram page.

Celeste competed in the 71st edition of the Miss Universe pageant in January 2022 in the US. Her pageant journey was cut short when she did not enter the semifinals.

On Monday, February 20, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization announced the 40 candidates who will be competing in this year's pageant.

"For 40 beautiful Filipinas, the journey to Miss Universe 2023 has begun 💫 From pageant veterans to fresh faces, all our aspirants showed grit, heart, and determination to prove that they should be in the running towards a coveted crown," the organization posted on social media.

Among the veteran candidates who are set to compete in this year's pageant are 2022 runner-ups Miss Universe Philippines Tourism Michelle Dee and Miss Universe Philippines Charity Pauline Amelinckx.

In 2022, it was announced that Thai billionaire Anne Jakrajutatip's company JKN Global Group acquired the Miss Universe franchise from IMG.

The 2022 Miss Universe pageant was the first edition of the pageant under Anne's management. Sustainable fashion designer and USA representative R'Bonney Gabriel won the title.

In an interview with Filipino beauty entrepreneur Olivia Quido back in January, Anne shared what pageant fans can expect in this new era of Miss Universe.

"We would love to become the number one platform for women's empowerment, that would be the big change. Rather than focusing on the crown alone. We focus on the quality women," she stated.

Anne also delivered an empowering message in the pageant in January as she marked the new era of Miss Universe.

"From now on it’s going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism!" she said.

"Diverse cultures, social inclusion, gender equality, creativity, a force for good, and a force for the beauty of humanity," Anne remarked.