Bb. Cebu 2020: ‘I have girlfriend, tattoos...’

CEBU, Philippines — After declaring a “bolder and fiercer” third edition during its September press launch – with its Manila recruit of a choreographer going as far as guaranteeing a production that will be at par and even exceed a Miss Universe staging – Binibining Cebu 2020 organizers have one vivacious pageant first-timer and the attendance of one beloved Miss Universe to thank for saving its widely panned coronation night.

Held Monday evening at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, the already delayed show once again held up the crowd after a voice-over announced that the candidates’ opening production had to be redone due to technical difficulties.

“It had something to do with the lights. If you noticed, the first one was dark because of the glitch with the lights,” Binibining Cebu Executive Assistant Natasha Manuel told The FREEMAN, referring to the first take that had the 54 finalists dancing on stage with their faces barely visible to the audience.

“Apparently, it’s not a unique situation. It’s common to national pageants. It’s just that this is the first time it happened to us.”

But the crowd’s enthusiasm seemed not to have dampened, as they patiently awaited the unveiling of a new Bb. Cebu, which this year happens to be the first openly lesbian that a known Philippine pageant has crowned.

Beatrice Luigi Gomez, a 24-year-old representing the municipality of San Fernando, edged out predicted winner Bb. Mandaue City Ena Louis Velasco whose experience as a Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Top 25 finalist and licensed doctor credentials had her pegged by many as the candidate to beat.

In 2015, Velasco happened to win the Miss Mandaue title and had Gomez as her second runner-up, with Cynthia Thomalla (who will eventually become Miss Eco International 2018) as first runner-up.

Already in good standing with her corporate awards of Miss Bodyworx Medical Spa and Miss Foton, plus her selection as Best in Swimwear, Gomez piqued further interest during the casual interview for the Top 12 finalists where she was asked what she thought made her beautiful.

“I guess what makes me beautiful is my bravery and being true to myself. To tell you guys honestly, I have a girlfriend, I have tattoos…and I’m very proud,” the sports enthusiast and gym manager answered.

In an interview after her crowning, Gomez said it was her girlfriend of five years who pushes her to join pageants.

“I’m very happy that the organization accepted me for who I am and that a lot of people are supporting my cause. I don’t want to struggle, because I’m the one who’s going to suffer,” she said. “If I hide it, I will be hurting a lot of people including my girlfriend.”

Believing that her sector is still very much underrepresented, Gomez assured her fellow LGBT members that “I am your representative, and I hope I made all of you proud.”

She also encouraged them to participate in platforms where they can express themselves, because “If you’re confident about yourself, peopled will accept you. As long as you are a good role model, that’s what’s important.”

Asked during the final round for the Top 12 how she can inspire street kids to not stop dreaming, Gomez began by sharing her unprivileged upbringing and how that has led to her advocacy for youth empowerment thru sports.

“I was able to send myself to school. I was raised by a single mother. Fortunately, I was able to be part of a [volleyball] varsity team and I got a scholarship. I was lucky enough to have this opportunity, and that’s the reason why I’d like to inspire all the kids out there who are less fortunate to never give up because there is always a way. We can always find solutions to make ourselves self-sufficient. That’s the reason I will be able to help you guys because if I win this competition, I will be able to share to you how I got past thru all those experiences.”

Formerly studying Mass Communications at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Gomez left college after her third year when she landed a protocol officer position under former Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing. She focused on work for the past four years, which explained her absence in the modeling and pageant circuit after Miss Mandaue – until her boss was defeated in the recent elections.

“I’m very grateful that when I came back, I’m here full blast,” the five-foot-seven morena grinned.

She said many have convinced her to join national pageants, and after nabbing the Bb. Cebu title, Gomez (a first degree cousin of the late Miss Tourism International 2013 Rizzini Gomez), considers it a sign that she can pass muster a bigger stage.

An aspiring lawyer, Gomez hopes to partner with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and help in the intervention of children in conflict with the law and children at risk. Her four-year stint with the LGU of Mandaue City gave her a front seat to their plight, and she feels strongly that sports can aid in their successful intervention.

Close on the heels of Gomez for the top plum was Cordova bet Ameena Allababidi, 18, who was named Bb. Cebu Tourism 2020. Already a standout in a bob among a sea of ladies sporting long tresses, the Fil-Palestinian roused not a few in the audience and became an instant crowd darling for her unconventional perky and devil-may-care demeanor in the two rounds of interview – a polar opposite of newbies and even veterans grappling for words and stuttering in this crucial segment.

In her first ever pageant, Allababidi zoomed past stronger contenders for a second place finish and a Mactan Electric Award as she charmed spectators with casual and playful quips.

“It feels very crazy because people say that girls who are underage cannot make a statement, cannot be independent. But I feel like I’m the total opposite, you know?,” the Grade 12 student at Academia del Cristi Fidelis said.

She ended her final interview strong with the statement, “Always be your own hero and save yourself.”

Born and raised in Dubai until her 2018 move to Cebu, Allababidi is eyeing a career as a pilot. She said her father passed away due to a heart attack when she was 11 years old, but to this day, she strives to make him proud by continuing his legacy of helping others.

Asked by The FREEMAN where her onstage confidence stems from, the professional model said that she herself is “shocked that I’m like this on stage. I’m a shy person actually. I don’t know where that came from. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so why not make the best of it.”

On whether mentors or handlers advised against her animatedness as beauty queens are taught poise and grace, she demurred, “No, because a beauty pageant is not about faking it. It’s about showing your true personality because that is what people need.”

Landing the Bb. Cebu Charity title is 22-year-old Fil-Am Betty Davis, also a professional model who represented Cebu City North.

Thinking her journey ended after the Top 20 finalists were read, Davis’ heart leapt for joy as she was called to come forward as the surprise Top 21st candidate who will be part of the semi-finals.

“When I was not called, I was really hurt. It’s all fun and games until you’re called last. You know what, at least I came out with new friends, I had a fun time, and we can eat after,” she said.

The History degree holder is a former Miss Lapu-Lapu third runner-and Miss Isabel first runner-up. After her Bb. Cebu Charity reign, Davis said she is keen on signing up for Miss World Philippines, as her mestiza looks and demure aura fit the said pageant’s mold.

Davis will campaign for the promotion of dental health as she wants to help communities who cannot afford with free clinics; the distribution of toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash; and free dental screenings.

“I wanted to be a dentist when I was younger,” she said. “I find it interesting that small problems like gum disease can develop into diabetes, heart disease or osteoporosis. When these unfortunate communities have to choose between dental hygiene and other things, they’re really setting themselves up for more costly problems in the long run.”

Pageant veteran Marla Pino Alforque added another display to her crown shelf as Bb. Cebu Heritage 2020. The 23-year-old public school teacher from Carcar City is the reigning Pasigarbo Sa Sugbo Festival Queen and former Reyna Ng Aliwan winner.

Alforque’s advcocacy is the establishment of interactive educational projects for children which will focus on the 5 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle, respect and rethink).

Completing the Top Five is Amanda Basnillo, an 18-year-old senior high school student who represented Dalaguete. The reigning Miss Mandaue first runner-up was named Bb. Cebu Ecology and awarded Miss Mang Inasal.

Basnillo is passionate about PWD rights as she was partly raised by an uncle who had epilepsy. The only daughter of a single mom plans to study Medical Technology at Velez College.

The Binibining Cebu winner took home P500,000 in cash, while Bb. Cebu Tourism, Bb. Cebu Charity, Bb. Cebu Heritage and Bb. Cebu Ecology received P300,000, P200,000, P50,000 in kind; P100,000 and P75,000, respectively.

Other awardees were Bb. Madridejos Jessa Mangubat as Miss One Nadela Dental and Miss Instagram Personality, Bb. Carmen Dannika Anne Ocampo as Sun Texter’s Choice, Bb. Samboan Nica Acuzar Yabo as Miss Congeniality, Bb. Santander Maria Jocelyn Bula as Miss Photogenic, Bb. Consolacion Shara Angela Servande as Batch 85’s Ideal Candidate, and Bb. Poro Maria Fe Loayon as Best in Evening Gown.

Unlike last year’s repeaters, second-time joiners Sharon Grace Angel, Princess Paraiso and Marjorie Campoamor still failed to nab titles.

Hosted by OJ Cimafranca and Bb. Cebu Tourism 2017 Maria Gigante, Bb. Cebu 2020, organized by the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc., took on the theme of A Million Dreams.

Kicking off last September with the Media Presentation, the initial schedule of a November finals was moved to January “to align with Cebu’s Sinulog week and make the pageant a total learning experience for its candidates.”

Aside from Val San Diego of the award-winning Sandiego Dance Company as Production Manager and Choreographer, multi-awarded ABS-CBN producer and director Ahwel Paz from Manila came onboard as Overall Director.

With cancelled flights from Manila due to the ash cloud, organizers reportedly had to revamp their line-up of judges at the last minute. Scoring the ladies were Donna Cruz, Jojo Bragais, Brigadier Gen. Valeriano de Leon, Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis, Slater Young, Voltaire Tayag, Adam Genato, and chairman of the board, Arch. Royal Pineda.

The awaited guest of the evening was no less than the country’s fourth Miss Universe winner, Catriona Gray, who delighted fans with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

To the mesmerized Bb. Cebu candidates, the pageant icon said: “Firstly, congratulations, it takes a lot of courage to come up on this stage…Know that whatever happens tonight, you are never denied but only redirected to the dream you’re meant to fulfill.”