Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez returned to her alma mater today, November 3, before she leaves for the international pageant in Israel.
A homecoming event was organized by the University of San Jose-Recoletos to celebrate her latest feat. This is the first time that Gomez visited USJ-R right after being named as the Philippine delegate for the 2021 Miss Universe which will take place in December.
USJ-R President Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR said that Gomez’ genuineness and having clarity of purpose in life earned her the great honor of representing the country in the biggest international beauty pageant. He added his felicitations in behalf of the Josenian community.
“I thank you for bringing honor to your alma mater and the Josenian Family. You have extremely made us proud,” he expressed.
The University President also shared his observation that Gomez is lucky with a particular number.
“Before I end, I would just like to share what I’ve noticed as regards your journey to becoming Miss Universe Philippines 2021. Bea, you seem to be lucky for one particular number. You were candidate no. 15 when you were crowned Miss CESAFI. In 2015, you joined the Miss Mandaue pageant, your first major pageant where you placed 2nd runner-up. In 2020 you bagged the Binibining Cebu title. During the Miss Universe Philippines pageant proper, you were the last to be called among the ten finalists. You picked question no. 5. All these numbers are divisible by 5, right? You are lucky with the number 5. I believe you are capable of becoming the 5th Filipina to bring home the Miss Universe crown,” he stated.
After this, Gomez burst into tears.
Miss Universe PH 2021 Beatrice Gomez bursts into tears when the USJ-R President expressed his full confidence that Gomez can be the fifth Filipina who wins the Miss Universe crown.
In response, Gomez expressed her appreciation for USJ-R’s continuing support and the warm welcome. She recalled her days in the campus and thanked the University for being an instrument of shaping the lady that she is today.
“Once a Jaguar, always a jaguar,” she emphasized.
Jaguar is the term to describe USJ-R athletes.
Aside from the homecoming event, she was also given a token and a financial grant of P30,000 as support of the University of San Jose-Recoletos in her journey to the Miss Universe crown.
ALL OUT SUPPORT. Aside from emotional support, the University of San Jose-Recoletos gave a P30,000 grant to Gomez to aid her journey to the Miss Universe crown. (From L to R: VP Finance Rev. Fr. Leopoldo Estioko, Miss Universe PH Beatrice Gomez, USJ-R President Cristopher Maspara)
Gomez joined the Josenian family in 2008 as a transferee sophomore student. She was a spiker for the USJ-R volleyball team – junior division. She also garnered pageants awards during her time as a student in the University. In her college years, she enrolled as a Mass Communication student and brought honor to the school when she was named Miss CESAFI 2012, Mutya ng PRISAA 2012 – Region VII winner, and Miss National PRISAA 2nd runner up in 2013.
“She’s an athlete and a dean’s lister. She’s not just beauty. She’s also brains. That’s Tatak Rekoleto,” remarked Atty. Elaine Bathan when she shared about Gomez’ days in USJ-R.
While in school, Gomez also worked in the city government of Mandaue.
“The demands and engagements of her work and advocacies compelled her to stop during her 4th year. However, again being driven and motivated, she continued to pursue her studies still here with her family in USJ-R through the ETEEAP program,” Bathan continued.
Gomez is the second Josenian wh0 earned the honor of representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant. The first one was Gazini Ganados.
Written by Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad
