Last September 30, Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City was officially crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021. She bested the 29 other finalists of the national pageant, and bagged the Best in Swimsuit award, too.
Shortly after the competition, Bea revealed she did not expect to take home the title at first because she had such strong competitors. She told ABS-CBN News, "I looked calm, but I was just shocked and I didn't know how to react. It's not the usual reaction you get in the crowning moment, pero talagang I was happy inside. At the same time, I didn’t expect it."
The Cebuana beauty queen even admitted she was already satisfied when she joined the top five. "And then it was just me and Katrina [Dimaranan]. I was like, 'Oh my God, whatever happens, I’m already a winner,'" she continued.
During her guesting for Magandang Buhay, Bea further explained why she didn't anticipate her win. According to her, it all boiled down to one thing: Her experience.
She told host Jolina Magdangal, "This is my first time po kasi joining a national pageant. It's my third major pageant po na sinalihan ko. So it's something unexpected po para sakin kasi hindi masyadong ganyan karami 'yung experience ko unlike all of the other girls."
Unlike many of her competitors, Bea only joined her first major pageant in 2015, which was Miss Mandaue. Five years later, she joined and won Binibining Cebu 2020. Next thing she knew, she was representing Cebu City in Miss Universe Philippines!
The initially unexpected result aside, Bea is owning her title and preparing relentlessly for the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. When asked about the aspects of her performance she's most confident in, she immediately mentioned her question and answer and communication skills as well as her pasarela.
That said, the Cebuana also confessed she still has one area that needs improvement: "As an introverted person po who forced myself into facing the crowd, I want to work more on interacting with other people kasi doon po ako medyo dapat mag-improve."
Nonetheless, we're looking forward to seeing Bea on the international pageant stage in Israel this December. We're sure we're all in for a pleasant surprise!
Watch Bea's interview on Magandang Buhay below:
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