Anita Rose Gomez, the Philippines’ representative in this year’s Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, has gained an enviable reputation for having a 19-inch waistline. But the Zambaleña beauty said she has more to offer than just her body.
‘I can offer the heart that I have, the humility, the gratitude in my heart. I know that this will take me a long way. And I think it’s the result of the heart that I have, that I have this crown,’ she told Inquirer Entertainment.
Her killer body, matched with an explosive pasarela (pageant walk) has earned for her the ‘Best in Swimsuit’ award during the closed-door preliminary competition held at the Lapu-Lapu Ballroom of Bai Hotel Cebu on Monday morning, Oct. 6.
She also finished second in the gown segment of the event, a scaled-down program that was mounted in lieu of a grander production that was canceled because of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that jolted the pageant’s Benefit Gala Night on Sept. 30.
The Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has realigned its activities after the tremor and had the ladies participate in relief missions aimed at helping those severely affected by the earthquake.
Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, the international pageant’s executive director, told Inquirer Entertainment that they decided to mount a preliminary competition at the last minute because the ladies had prepared for it, and were looking forward to one.
The 43 delegates took the stage in swimsuits and evening gowns, including Belgium’s Jana Janssens, who sustained an injury during the quake and had to use crutches for several days.
Gomez said she appreciates the body that she has been blessed with, a 19-inch waistline and all. ‘But at the same time, always be grateful for what we have as individuals. We’re all different, we’re all unique, we just need to embrace our own beauty,’ she said.
She also encouraged people to take care of their health, both physical and mental. She added, ‘Don’t look at what the standard of beauty is. Just embrace who you are. Just be confident. As long as you’re happy with the body that you’re given, that’s a win already.’
Gomez is competing for the Philippines’ sixth Miss Asia Pacific International victory. The coronation night of the 2025 pageant will be held at the Cebu Complex Coliseum on Oct. 8.