by Allain Dumon Fonte

For every tourist that I have met who have visited Cebu, there are three common things that they find most beautiful:  the weather, the beaches, and the women.  Cebu’s weather has always been favourable to travelers who are touring around Cebu; the sun can be strikingly hot, but the cool breeze of the island entices visitors to stay longer.  The beaches in Cebu are always voted the best in Asia; and some beaches, like the Bas Daku in Moalboal, is even voted as one of the best in the world. This is the reason why Cebu has been graciously hosting an average of 1.1 million tourists every year.  Our waters are not just crystal clear; they are also the home of the most exotic corals and the most interesting array of tropical sea life. Finally, when it comes to the women in Cebu, they are undeniably what they mean to as “beauty, body, and brains”.  The women in Cebu do not just charm you with their smiles, but they can delight you with their wits.  From beauty queens like the Miss Universe-Philippines 2019, Gazini Ganados, to music and art geniuses like the world-renowned pianist, Madam Ingrid Sala Santamaria; and, even business tycoons like Robina Gokongwei-Pe, the Cebuana excels above all.

Binibining Cebu 2020 Beatrice Luigi “Bea” Gomez

Last night at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, a Cebuana was crowned and hailed as the fairest of them all at the Binibining Cebu 2020 pageant.  Competing with 54 other beauties, Beatrice Luigi “Bea” Gomez, representing the municipality of San Fernando, bested them all.

Bea is a professional model for AD models homme et femme talent management.  At a very young age of 21, she has already enriched her background in leadership; serving as a protocol officer for the former mayor of the city of Mandaue, Hon. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing.  After her stint in public service, Bea manages a fitness center and continued modeling, on the side.  Working for Dexter Alazas, a Cebu-based fashion entrepreneur, Bea’s modeling career took off to greater heights, and she became a highly sought-after brand ambassador; from retail and shopping brands like The Metro to hotels like The Maayo Chain of Hotels, Bea’s beauty has become a brand landmark.

At 24 years old, just like her answer to the final question in the pageant, Bea is self-sufficient.  The final question was very apt for her because even if she was raised by a single mom, this did not stop her from setting her goals and achieve them.  Bea was an athletic scholar in college, but temporarily put her college degree on hold after being offered a job as a protocol officer for the city mayor.  Bea makes sure that she grabs every opportunity that comes her way, and seize the moment.  This is what she wants to share to the children; that we can be independent and self-sufficient by recognizing opportunities and not let them pass.  What is also admirable about Bea is her honesty and being true to herself.   She is very proud to admit that she is in a same-sex relationship and she believes that love should not be labeled.  She believes that love should make us happy; regardless of sex, race, religion, and colour, love should bring out the best in us.  She wants to inspire people to be true and honest to themselves because in accepting of who and what we are, we attain freedom and inner peace.  Moreover, Bea believes that the only way to start accepting and appreciating other people is by accepting and appreciating our true selves, first.

Bea will now be busy with her duties as Binibining Cebu until 2021; but she always dreamed of starting her own business.  She wants to set up her own events management company.  When I asked her if she is doing it right after her Bb. Cebu duties, Bea responded:

“I think it would be really nice to start up my own business but I have to be wise enough to invest in something that I am really sure of; especially that businesses are risky, and I don’t feel very secure yet.  So, the idea of starting up my own business is exciting at the same time also intimidating.  We will see about that next year.”

Bea just wants to be focused with Bb. Cebu for now; and, probably a property investment, which she aims before turning 30 years old.  She wants to make sure that her business investment must be a very well-calculated risk.

Bea also won the best in swimwear award and two other minor awards during the pageant.  Her Binibining Cebu 2020 court includes Bb. Cebu Ecology Amanda Basnillo (Dalaguete), Bb. Cebu Heritage Marla Alforque (Carcar City), Bb. Cebu Charity Betty Davis (Cebu City North), and Bb. Cebu Tourism Ameena Allababidi (Cordova).  It was truly BEAtiful night for Bea, and we wish her more success as she represents Cebu to the world; making our islands not just a first class province but a world-class destination.  As the song goes “the beauty of the south, simply Cebuana.”