Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Bea Gomez has proven that a beauty queen's reign is just the beginning of her advocacy work. Instead of slowing down after her Top 5 finish at the Miss Universe pageant, she has embraced even more causes, including youth empowerment through sports, HIV and AIDS awareness, medical missions for underprivileged dental patients, and most recently, promoting ethical tourism in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte.
Bea Gomez's New Advocacy
Bea's latest focus is on Pintuyan's whale shark interaction activity, which she first experienced during a coastal cleanup in March 2026. The town, part of Panaon Island, was recently declared a protected seascape under Republic Act 12238. Unlike other tourist spots, Pintuyan's whale sharks, locally called "tiki-tiki," are not fed or kept in one place. Tourists must be ready to jump into the water when a spotter signals, swimming quickly to see the gentle giants while following strict protocols.
"The whale sharks do not settle in one place for tourists. Rather, the tourists are gifted with an opportunity to be graced by their presence," Bea shared on Facebook. Visitors are also prohibited from feeding the whale sharks, instead waiting for them to appear naturally.
Why Bea Was Chosen
Environmental advocate Boboi Costas, who consulted for the campaign, explained that Bea was chosen due to her volunteer work with the Philippine Navy and her love for scuba diving. He noted that she and the advocacy are a great fit.
Economic Impact
Mayor Ricarte Estrella of Pintuyan highlighted that while the municipality charges only P300 per visitor for the whale shark activity, the economic ripple effect benefits guides, boatmen, spotters, transportation providers, and local businesses. The whale shark season, from October to May, generates nearly P3 million in municipal income. The town aims to attract more tourists who prefer ethical interactions.
Estrella acknowledged the economic success of Oslob, Cebu, but after benchmarking, Pintuyan decided against "provisioning" or feeding the whale sharks. On June 1, the town closed its whale shark season, but the invitation remains open for visitors to explore other attractions like mountain resorts and falls while awaiting the whales' return.
