Proud LGBT member Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City was named Miss Universe Philippines 2021 in a live coronation held Thursday night in Panglao, Bohol.
It is the first time in the history of Philippine national pageants that an openly gay contestant has won.
Three years ago, Angela Ponce made history as the first openly transly woman to win Miss Spain and compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
Gomez, a Navy reservist, earlier revealed she is in a same-sex relationship with her girlfriend of six years.
Rounding up the top five were Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism Katrina Dimaranan; Miss Universe Philippines-Charity Victoria Velasquez Vincent; Miss Universe Philippines first runner-up Maureen Christa Wroblewitz; and Miss Universe Philippines second runner-up Steffi Rose Aberasturi.
"It is very evident that all of us went through difficulties during this pandemic, but it is also proof that we are able to rise to the occasion, and if anything happened to me during my reign, I will not give up and inspire others by rising to the problems that I am encountering and by inspiring them that what you are going through, you will be able to overcome it," the 26-year-old Gomez said during the question and answer portion where she was asked how would she continue to inspire others if she herself feels uninspired.
Gomez will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant, which will be held in Israel in December.