To the Philippines, a Filipina
winning a major international beauty pageant like Miss Universe is not an
impossible dream. After all, Gloria Diaz did so in 1969, followed by Margie Moran
four years later in 1973. But the following decades, filled with either swift
eliminations or runner-up placements, made the public think for a time that the
Miss Universe spark had come and gone, even as other beauties triumphed in
other pageants. Then Pia Wurtzbach broke the MU drought in 2015, with Catriona
Gray following in 2018. Suddenly pageant fans are hopeful for repeat Miss
Universe victories for the Philippines again; but not for 2021.
According to The Philippine Star, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi
Gomez only got so far and no further in the recently-concluded 70th
Miss Universe pageant. The event, which took place Sunday evening December 12
at the Universe Dome in Eliat, Israel saw 2020 titleholder Miss Mexico Andrea
Meza pass the crown onto Miss India 2021 Hamaaz Sandhu. She is the third beauty
from India to win Miss Universe. As for Gomez, despite a strong showing she
ultimately ended her race in the Top 5, short of a Runner-Up placement.
While unfortunate, it is not all
that bad. Beatrice continues the Philippines’ firm grip on the Miss Universe
pageant’s positioning, always placing among the Top contestants at the barest
minimum for the past 12 years (2009 was the last MU so far where Miss
Philippines went unplaced). She is also a significant icon of Philippine representation,
being the first openly LGBTQ representative of the country in this competition.
On her journey to MU, Gomez has impressed with her background, from her
university varsity career while finishing a Mass Communication degree, modeling
and community work, and even being a Navy Reservist.
Already Beatrice Gomez has been
lauded by Malacañang Palace for her latest achievement. She is not the only
Filipina earning high praise locally and internationally at the 2021 Miss
Universe pageant. Actress Marian Rivera also got attention and positive
reaction as a selection committee member (judge), with some Filipinos nodding
with pageant host Steve Harvey mentioning her (minor) recording career. Social media
even has footage of Rivera teaching the “Sabay Sabay Tayo” dance routine to
fellow judge and Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela between pageant segments.
Rounding out the Top 5
contestants alongside Miss Universe 2021 Hamaaz Sandhu and Gomez, are 1st
Runner-Up Nadia Ferreira (Paraguay), Lalela Mswane (South Africa) and Valeria Ayos
(Colombia) who stood beside Beatrice at the end.
Image from The Manila Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment