Beatrice Gomez

Biography

Beatrice Luigi Gallarde Gomez-Odin (Cebuano: [beaˈtɾis luwiˈdʒiʔ ˈgɔmɛs]; born February 23, 1995) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021. She is the first openly pansexual woman to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines, she represented the country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel, and finished as a top five finalist.

== Early life and education == Beatrice Luigi Gallarde Gomez was born on February 23, 1995, in San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines. She was raised by a single mother. She studied at the University of San Jose–Recoletos and pursued a degree in mass communication. At the same time, she also played varsity volleyball for the university. As a student-athlete, she was able to study under an athletic scholarship. In 2022, she graduated from the said university.

== Pageantry ==

=== Miss Mandaue 2015 === Gomez's first pageant was in 2015 when she placed second runner-up at the Miss Mandaue 2015 pageant.

=== Binibining Cebu 2020 === Gomez represented San Fernando at the Binibining Cebu 2020 pageant and won the title, succeeding Steffi Rose Aberasturi of Mandaue City. She also won the Best in Swimwear, Miss Foton, and Miss Body Worx Medical Spa awards.

=== Miss Universe Philippines 2021 ===

On September 1, 2021, representing Cebu City, Gomez was confirmed as one of the thirty delegates in the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant. During the finals on September 30, 2021, Gomez won the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Miss Cream Silk, and Miss Luxxe ImmunPlus Game Changer awards. At the end of the event, Gomez was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo as Miss Universe Philippines 2021. With her win, Gomez became the first openly bisexual Miss Universe Philippines winner and the first to represent the country in Miss Universe.

=== Miss Universe 2021 ===