Bee has also been an avid supporter of LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines and has lobbied for equality in the past. She acknowledges that while there has been valid progress in the movement over the last decade, the process remains slow. This influencer mentioned that to help pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, the LGBTQIA+ community must unite, build alliances with lawmakers, civic sectors, and moderate religious voices, and counter misinformation with clear, culturally grounded Filipino messaging. She also stressed leading the movement with empathy, discipline, and strategic action to make the bill both politically viable and socially accepted.
Bee Urgello in a Cary Santiago silk chiffon gown
Are you inspired by any visual artists lately?
This may come as a surprise to some, but most of my close friends know me as a geek. I’ve been collecting comics and Japanese manga, not to mention anime like Sailor Moon. I also love watching cartoons like X-Men, Marvel, and DC.
On the other hand, I’m also inspired by fashion as an art form. Somehow, my geeky and fashionista sides have blended together and shaped my personal style.
The anime and manga industry forms an integral part of Japan’s prominent cultural exports.
What kind of bag do you use these days?
Lately, my necessities have been narrowed down, so I’ve started leaning toward smaller-scale bags. I prefer multi-purpose ones like the Chanel Classic Flap or the Chanel Wallet on Chain. Also, the Saint Laurent Envelope Chain Bag is at the top of my list.
St. Laurent envelope chain bag
Is there a piece of jewelry or timepiece that you cannot part with?
Years back, my parents made me choose between a men’s and women’s Rolex two-tone Datejust watch. I chose the men’s style because it felt more edgy and versatile. It’s very special to me because it’s a timeless brand, and the fact that my parents let me choose meant a lot to me as a trans person.
Rolex two-tone datejust watch
Which fashion designers do you wear?
My favorite is definitely Cary Santiago, along with two of my closest friends, Harvey Cenit and Rei Escario. For international brands, I’ve always loved the classic silhouettes of Chanel and Dior. There’s also an Australian brand called Zimmermann—the designs are elegant, feminine, and whimsical.
The Zimmerman brand has become Australia’s first billion-dollar label after an acquisition from Advent International.
How many hours of sleep do you require?
I usually sleep around 9–10 PM and wake up at 7 AM. Seven hours of sleep is good enough for me; otherwise, I feel groggy and lazy if I oversleep.
Is there a television series or film you’re currently glued to?
I’m a couch potato and don’t party much anymore, so I spend a lot of time at home watching television series and films. Lately, I’ve been following Palm Royale, House of the Dragon, Emily in Paris, and Stranger Things.
Emily in Paris 5 is now streaming on Netflix
What inspires you the most?
Beauty. Beautiful objects inspire me, as well as beautiful moments with family and friends.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Contentment—being at peace with where your life is at the moment.
What is your favorite travel destination?
I love New York. Nothing feels more “citified” than Manhattan. When I’m there, I feel like the world is my oyster. It’s an amazing melting pot of people and cultures.
Manhattan has been described as the cultural, financial, media and entertainment capital of the world.
There are only two international events that can stop traffic in the Philippines; a Manny Pacquiao match, and the annually awaited Miss Universe pageant. This year, the Miss Universe pageant is hosted by USA, and will be staged at the Tyler Perry studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Steve Harvey will still be hosting the pageant alongside Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo, and American-Filipino actress and super model, Vanessa Lachey. Because beauty pageants have a massive following in the Philippines, everyone is excited and are preparing for the pageant as it unfolds tonight at Fox Channel for US territories and at Telemundo Channel for the Latin American region. Pageant enthusiasts could not wait for the pageant to unfold after seeing the preliminary competition yesterday; some have already organized a pay-per-view live screening with their friends. A number of beauty salons and fashion houses in the Philippines have already informed their clientele that they will be closed on Monday morning for the Miss Universe pageant. For those who have work on Monday, they have already processed their off-days; while some expressed that they might call-in sick for work.
Last year, the Philippines conquered the Universe for the fourth time with Catriona Gray. With Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015), the Philippines is considered a power house in the pageant world; and, beauty experts who study the symmetry of physical features have ranked the Philippines as the second country with the most beautiful women, after Venezuela that was ranked first. This year’s Philippine representative is a Cebuana beauty, Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados. Gazini is the third Cebuana to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant, after Pilita Corrales’ cousin, Mary Ann Corrales (1957) and Pilar Pilapil (1967). With the reigning Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, from the Philippines, the weight and pressure are on Gazini’s shoulders.
During the preliminary competition, Gazini surely has put her best foot forward with a national costume that is worthy of being a museum-piece for the MET, and a gold long gown, all designed by Cary Santiago. The intricacy and the labor-intensive workmanship of her gown will surely get the attention of the crowd; yet, is it fitting her well? Her gown received several comments from netizens and pageant followers. Although many have commented that her evening gown is stunning, many netizens have also commented that Gazini’s motions seem restricted with the dress, and that she was not able to give her best catwalk. I, personally, find her long gown very stiff and has too much going on. I feel that the judges and the crowd will be drawn to the dress more than to the beauty of Gazini. I believe that instead of her carrying the dress, the dress is carrying her. While her national costume is no doubt a show-stealer, Gazini seem struggling with the weight of the dress. So, the big question is, will Gazini bring a back-to-back win for the Philippines?
Tati Fortuna (photo courtesy of escariofortuna.com)
Tati Fortuna, an image and style expert from New York and managing director to the Escario-Fortuna fashion and image consultancy, believes that Gazini has got what it takes to be the next Miss Universe. According to Miss Fortuna,
“Gazini has a great styling team. They are on point with her hair and make up. She always looks polished. She also has a good mix of outfits for her activities. Wears the right colors for her skin tone. I specifically like the stylized tuxedo she wore – she comes across as very well prepared. I’m excited to see her being crowned as Miss Universe 2020.” -Tati Fortuna
Harley Ruedas
Fashion designer and an avid fan of the Miss Universe, Harley Ruedas, believes that every Miss Universe aspirant should always have high hopes and high spirits to keep them going throughout the pageant because the pageant can be very stressful and draining. For Ruedas, Gazini has the same spirits that Pia had during her pageant night, and Gazini is also as focused as Catriona. Ruedas said that aside from Gazini’s good looks, her passion and her eyes on the goal are her stronger forces to win the crown. Ruedas added, “her dedication in taking care of the elderly is something that could touch the hearts of the judges because a true queen is someone who is willing to sacrifice to reach out to those who are in need.”
Speaking of judges for this year’s Miss Universe, the panel have been selected and it will be an all-women panel. With former Miss Universe winners in the panel, Paulina Vega (2014) and Riyo Mori (2007), the selection can be very tough. Other members in the selection committee are Venezuelan actress, Gabi Espino; American marketing executive, Bozoma Saint John; former Miss America and juris doctor candidate at Georgetown University Law Center, Cara Mund; lifestyle blogger, Sazan Hendrix; and American actress, host, and Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart.
Dr. Mark Tenchavez
Proprietor and Senior Arts Director of Shandar shoes and accessories (Gazini’s official pageant footwear designer), Dr. Mark Tenchavez, commented that the selection committee will also matter; most especially if one of the judges shares the same interest with the candidate. According to Dr. Tenchavez that a back-to-back win is almost impossible at the Miss Universe, except for Venezuela who did it once. However, Dr. Tenchavez expresses confidence in Gazini’s win because most of the members in the selection committee are beauty queens who run their own charities; and Gazini, being passionate and vocal with her charity, will surely win the interest of the judges. Dr. Tenchavez said that Gazini must not let her guards down and must be focused all the time, since she already got the votes of many Filipinos and pageant supporters worldwide with her performance at the preliminary competition.
Peter Sereno (photo courtesy of ph.asiatatler.com)
Australian beauty pageant coach and branding expert, Peter Sereno, shared his thoughts on Gazini’s chances. Sereno believes that her face and stage presence are her strengths. While beauty queen and super model, Bee Urgello, agrees with Sereno that Gazini’s beauty is very unique and captivating. Urgello is very hopeful for Gazini and she wishes that Gazini can overcome her shyness. Urgello said, “Gazini is very sweet. She may look fierce on the runway, but she is very shy in person, and I hope that she can overcome it.” To show her support, Urgello is hosting a live screening of the Miss Universe pageant tomorrow at 7:00 in the morning at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Bee Urgello
Different experts, different comments; but, it all boils down to our common goal, which is Gazini’s win for the Miss Universe. Whether she wins or not, she surely has raised our flag high. The Miss Universe pageant will be aired live at 8:00 in the morning tomorrow in the Philippines, and at 8:00 in the evening tonight in Atlanta.
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Bee’s all-white closet allows her pieces (and herself) to truly stand out. Her beloved collection of Chanel bags are a focal point, though.
Of course, it’s not like Bee needs a crown to stand out. Whenever she makes an appearance, she does so in carefully thought-out ensembles that make the most of her enviable height and svelte figure—and the various Best Dressed awards certainly reinforce her sense of style.
“Dressing up makes me happy, and it completes me,” Bee shares as she shows us the different outfits she had planned out for the shoot—namely a body-conscious red dress, and a black and white combination that she felt played up her proportions. As we go through the rest of the clothes, she told us to concentrate on the racks that stood by the closet door. “Those are the ones that I haven’t worn yet,” she explains.
“Its just my favorites,” Bee answers with a laugh when we ask her why some shoes get displayed outside her cabinets. For easier reference, she devotes each shelf to a certain brand–this one features her Yves Saint Laurent pairs.
The items that fell under that category actually took up two racks, filled from end to end with pieces from brands like H&M and Zara, as well as creations from local designers. “I always say that shopping is better than sex. A dress or shoes will never hurt or leave you like a man does,” she says with a laugh.
The collection shows off different sides to Bee’s style—from the trendy see-through sheaths with floral embroidery, to the more classic looks of jersey jumpsuits and black dresses. Then there’s her collection of evening gowns, with figure-hugging silhouettes and intricate detailing, that she wears for her official appearances. A yellow dress with cut-out details from Cary Santiago and a blue one with a bejeweled neckline from Harvey Cenit hang at the end of one rack. “Those are really new. The one from Harvey Cenit I’d just picked up,” Bee explains. “I can’t wait to wear them!”
Of course, its not just all about Chanel–Bee’s other designer bags het their own space inside one of the wardrobes, and are arranged neatly for when she’s in the mood to switch it up.
But it’s not just about clothes—with its white walls and cabinetry, Bee’s closet has various areas to display the other part of her collection: her shoes and bags. “They’re my babies,” Bee jokes as she shows us her Chanel bags, which occupy their own shelf on one end of the room. Next to it, a wooden shelf houses her designer shoes, organized by brand for easier dressing.
Drawers on one side are filled with various accessories, and Bee laughs as we move to open another cabinet. “Don’t! Those are my pang-balay,” she exclaims. “Not stylish at all.”
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