Beatrice Luigi Gomez tells Miss Universe Philippines candidates: ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself’

As someone who competed in the pageant in 2021 and has learned a lot throughout her journey, the Cebuana beauty wants to remind this year’s queens to take things day by day.

“If you feel like things are getting hard, it’s getting challenging, just take it inch by inch,” Beatrice told GMA News Online in an interview.

“Just don’t be too hard on yourself. Take it day by day,” Beatrice added. “’Wag mo masyadong pahirapan yung sarili mo na hindi mo na na-e-enjoy ‘yung pinagdadaanan mo.”

Looking back, Bea said that although she joined Miss Universe Philippines with the goal to win, she took her hard moments as part of the learning experience.

“I think in the back of my mind, I already had the goal to win. But one reason talaga kung bakit ako sumali is because I just want to tick it off the bucket list,” she said.

“And I think it really helped na I just enjoyed the journey para kung nahihirapan ako, iniisip ko nalang na ‘oh it’s for the experience even if it’s hard. At least masaya siya,’” she added.

Beatrice has this to say to the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates: “I salute you for being in the lineup kasi mahirap, lalong lalo na ‘yung lineup niyo now.”

“Yung caliber ng delegates niyo ngayon, talagang mas tumataas yung standards every year. And for you to be there, talagang achievement na yun eh. It’s already a milestone.”

Beatrice made history as the first openly gay Miss Universe Philippines. She competed in the international pageant in 2021 and finished in the Top 5.

In recent years, the Miss Universe Organization removed the age limit for candidates, and opened the competition to wives, mothers, and transwomen. —JCB, GMA Integrated News