SAN Fernando representative, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, was hailed as this year’s Binibining Cebu 2020. Crowned with her were Amanda Basnillo from Dalaguete as Bb. Cebu Ecology, Marla Alforque from Carcar City Bb. Cebu Heritage, Betty Davis from Cebu City North as Bb. Cebu Charity and Bb. Cebu Tourism Ameena Allababidi from Cordova.
This year’s Top 12 finalists were given this question during the final Q&A portion, “Some kids in life live on the street and have nothing in life. As a Binibining Cebu, how can you inspire little kids like them to never stop dreaming?”
Gomez answered: “I myself, was not raised as a privileged child. That is the reason why my advocacy is about youth empowerment through sports. I was able to send myself to school. I was raised by a single mother but fortunately I was able to be part of a varsity team and I got a scholarship and I was lucky enough to be able to have this opportunity. And that is the reason why I would like to inspire all kids out there, who are less fortunate, to never give up because there’s always a way. God will always provide us a way. You just don’t have to give up because you can always find that solution to make ourselves self-sufficient and that’s the reason why I’m able to help you guys because if I win this competition, I will be able to share with you my experiences and how I was able to get past through that experience.”
Prior to this, the 24-year old beauty has joined in numerous competitions including Miss Mandaue 2015, winning the second runner-up title. She has been in the modeling industry for 12 years and at present, manages a newly opened gym. More than that, she is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, having openly shared onstage during the first round of Q&A that she has a girlfriend whom she’s been with for five years.
The Binibining Cebu 2020 winner will take home P500,000 in cash and a crown designed by world renowned creatives Kenneth Cobonpue and Cary Santiago. Binibining Cebu Tourism will receive P300,000 in cash. Binibining Cebu Charity will receive P200,000. Binibining Cebu Heritage will receive P100,000 while Binibining Cebu Ecology will receive P75,000.00.
The coronation night took place at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s Pacific Grand Ballroom on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 with special guest, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
This is its third edition of Bb. Cebu. It is founded by the SHS-B Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc. and Bb. Sugbu Charity Foundation, Inc., as a way to create a platform for the young women to convey not only their talents and heritage but also their advocacies.
As soon as the doors opened during the coronation night, fans immediately settled in their seats waiting in anticipation on who the next Binibining Cebu will be crowned. The audience got to meet the 54 lovely candidates. After the last contestant made her introduction, however, the emcee announced minutes after that they’ll have to redo the opening segment, leaving the audience wondering what was the cause behind the do-over.
Binibining Cebu organizers answered: “The reason behind the restart of the opening program for Binibining Cebu 2020 was to address technical difficulties involving the lighting so we can provide a better show for the audience and judges alike. In any event or project, there will always be unforeseen circumstances and areas for improvement that we all can learn from and apply moving forward. Repeat performances due to technical difficulties have also happened in national pageants. In this instance, the production team acted quickly to resolve the technical difficulty and ensured that the program resumed swiftly with the best interests of all in mind.”
Moving forward, the organizers look on this as a teachable moment. “With this year’s learnings, we will continue to work towards ensuring a better experience for all in the next one as we do every year.” (MRL)