Miss Universe Philippines 2021

Factors that helped Bea win the crown

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

There was a time when gender, or sexual orientation rather, was a very sensitive issue among the youth. If you were different or queer, you got ostracized and bullied for most of your years in elementary and high school, and even after that.

Today, with society's permissiveness to the plight of the rainbow children and the support for LGBTQIA campaigns and crusades, members of the pride get to compete alongside their 'straight' kinsmen in all forms of competition - from the Olympics to beauty pageants and everything in between.

Beatrice Luigi Gomez's victory in the recently-concluded Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant is one great example. While her victory is much lauded now, it was an unheard of scenario in the past century. Rainbow pride has truly come of age.

Another factor that went to her favor was winning the top spot in the evening gown and swimsuit preliminaries. When a candidate wins as Best in Swimsuit and/or Best in Evening Gown during the preliminary competitions, you will know that she is a favored entrant in the eyes of the jurors. And when she continues her A-game in the final show, she becomes a shoo-in. This is what happened in the years that Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Catriona Gray competed in the national finals. And countless other local and international winners who grabbed the crown because of good performance in all categories.

Bea's answer to her final Q & A is very telling. Because it is very timely, indeed, for the Philippines to send a lesbian candidate to the Universe. The time has come, and that time is now!

Not only is sending Bea to Israel timely, it is probably ordained. You see, Israel is one country who championed the Rainbow Pride ahead of America and the rest of the world. This means that the permissive air of the host country, coupled with the rising acceptance for transgender candidates, like Spain's Angela Ponce, can spell wonders to Bea's journey to the Miss Universe crown.

However, there will be flak, and much mud-slinging. But when the murkiness subsides and fans get their act together, there be realizations for the better. After all, victory is sweeter when shared with a common vision. And that is to continue the Philippines' winning streak on the global stage.

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Images from Facebook/MUPh