The Philippines on Thursday crowned its first Miss Universe queen who is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, underscoring how one of the country's favorite pastimes is becoming more inclusive.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Cebu City, bested 28 other candidates for the Miss Universe Philippines title. The pageant was held at a resort bubble in Bohol province.
Gomez, a former Binibining Cebu, wore a royal blue sparkling gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne Amato.
She will represent the Philippines at Miss Universe in Eliat, Israel in December.
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Pageant veteran Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig placed second and was given a new title, Miss Universe-Philippines Tourism. Victoria Velasquez Vincent of Cavite placed third and was named Miss Universe-Philippines Charity.
First runner-up was former Asia's Next Top Model winner Maureen Wroblewitz of Pangasinan while Cebu Province's Steffi Aberasturi, who went viral for strutting on the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Bridge, was second runner-up.
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