Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez did not end up with the crown but she remains every bit a winner as her fellow Filipinos celebrated her Top 5 finish at the 70th Miss Universe Competition yesterday (December 13), which was aired live from Eilat, Israel on A2Z channel 11.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray were among those who immediately congratulated the Cebuana beauty queen, who continued the Philippines’ streak of getting into the semifinal round of the prestigious beauty pageant.
“We are super proud of you Miss Philippines Bea!! Strong performance!” posted Pia on Twitter, while Catriona tweeted, “You made us so proud Bea!!!!”
Kapamilya personalities also voiced their admiration for the Philippine bet. “All good!!! Well fought. Congratulations and thank you Beatrice Luigi Gomez!!!!” posted Vice Ganda on Twitter.
“Tbh (to be honest) Bea got the toughest question sa Top 5. She would have nailed answering body shaming, women leaders, social media, but she still DELIVERED!!!! Nakakaproud maging Pilipina!!!!” Bianca Gonzalez also exclaimed.
Phrases related to Beatrice and Miss Universe also dominated the trending topics on Twitter Philippines as she breezed through the Top 16, Top 10, and Top 5 of the event. Among those that made it to Top 3, Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 while Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane finished first runner up and second runner up, respectively.
Filipinos can relive Bea’s fight in the 70th Miss Universe Competition on Kapamilya Channel this Sunday (December 19) at 10:30 pm and on Metro Channel on December 20 (7 pm), December 22 (1 pm), and December 25 (10 pm). These replays will also be streamed on iWantTFC.
An early favorite, Bea wowed in her swimsuit and evening gown, sending her supporters in a frenzy every time she went on stage. “Actually akala ko kami lang ‘yung sumisigaw but then again the arena, a lot of Filipinos came to support her. So maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat ng pumunta. Talagang binigyan niyo siya ng lakas ng loob to fight for the crown. And I am very, very proud of her,” Miss Universe Philippines national director Shamcey Supsup-Lee said in an interview with ABS-CBN News after the coronation.
In the Top 5, Bea was asked by Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere for her opinion on mandating a universal vaccine passport. She answered, “I believe that public health is everyone’s responsibility, and to mandate inoculation is necessary. If mandating vaccine passports would help us in regulating the rollout of vaccines and mitigate the situation of the pandemic today, then I would agree on mandating the necessary passport of vaccination.”
Meanwhile, Bea also thanked her supporters in a pre-recorded video that aired on Kapamilya Channel and A2Z. “Daghang salamat Kapamilya for your love and support. Andito tayo para sa isa’t isa, Kapamilya,” she said.
