Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines 2025 Anita Rose Gomez slammed the government officials involved in corruption tied to flood control projects.

The 23-year-old beauty queen from Zambales shared her thoughts with the press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), during her send-off party on September 19 at Pandan Asian Café in Quezon City

For Anita, her feelings go beyond anger and confusion.

There is an immense sadness in knowing that the stolen funds could have directly helped marginalized communities—people just like her.

“It’s really, mas lamang po yung sadness,” she told PEP.

“Mas meron lungkot ako sa nangyayari kasi I know that we don’t deserve this.

“At the same time, as someone who experienced the struggle, especially sa mga underserved communities, I’m part of that, so alam kong gaano kahirap na kumayod sa buhay.”

But she remains hopeful, believing that Filipinos will soon end this cycle by voting for the right people—those who demonstrate genuine concern for the country.

She said: “I think there’s still hope. Meron pa ring tao diyan. There’s still people out there who really care about the Filipino people, who really care about our country.

“And we just need to take our time, to be mindful, to be smart in voting and putting those people in their right position that they deserve.

“So I think, I’m very hopeful na masu-solution na pa natin yung corruption problem natin. And it just takes one decision from one person.

“At pag nag-unite tayo, I think it will definitely be a good result for us, we’ll definitely can elect rightful individuals in their position as well.”

ANITA ROSE GOMEZ: MISS ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL

Meanwhile, Anita was thrilled to be living her dream of representing the country internationally.

As the inaugural representative at the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, she views this groundbreaking role not as pressure, but as an opportunity.

“I don’t see it as a pressure, e, kasi, I see it as a way to actually start the ALV Pageant Circle this year, the competition of ALV Queens na, with a grateful and optimist heart, that hopefully we will get the crown this year for Miss Asia Pacific.”

Competing early among her Miss Grand Philippines 2025 peers, Anita is focused on winning the back-to-back crown following in CJ Opiaza’s footsteps.

She is also keenly aware of the ALV queens’ history of winning titles upon their debut in new pageants, citing Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano’s Face of Beauty International 2024 win and Maria Gigante’s Universal Woman 2024 victories.

Anita hopes to continue this winning streak by bringing home the Asia Pacific International crown.

“It’s a good pressure kasi knowing that it’s lucky, it’s lucky na talagang to compete first in the ALV Pageant Circle queens.

“I think it will be an edge for me to boost my confidence kasi knowing that there’s first-timer luck, I don’t know how you say it, but kung sino yung first to compete she will win the crown. Hopefully, magdilang-anghel po tayo diyan.”

WIll she have “pasabog” moments?

“Actually to be honest I, did some guesting after the coronation night. And after that, I had meetings with my team.

“We planned everything—from the wardrobe, from the pasabog that we will be showcasing in the international stage.

“So when it comes to my performance, I’m doing that.

“Actually, just recently, I’m trying to make my performance be more better and be more Miss Asia Pacific perfect-ready na performance.”

Anita enlisted the expertise of stylists J.Ro and Randell Giel and local designers for her Miss Asia Pacific International journey.

“Of course, there are so many talented and creative designers that I’ll be working together with this journey.

“Of course, together with my stylist, Mommy J.Ro, and, of course, Mommy Rendell [Giel], as well.

“Marami po kaming, ah, makaka-work na talagang mang-talented designer.

“But two names that I can drop right now is my gown designer, of course, sir Rian Fernandez, and, of course, my national costume designer is Mommy Renel [Suarez].”

She added, “Ang masasabi ko lang, it symbolizes us as Filipinos.”

But more than her fierce walk and show-stopping outfits, Anita said she looks forward to sharing her story of resilience and how she achieved her dreams.

“When it comes to my story talaga, hindi ko na mapigilang maging emotional because, you know, just like what I mentioned kanina, I came from humble beginnings talaga.

“And I experienced so many struggles, so many challenges.

“Nararanasan kong mabuhay for 20 years nang walang sapat na bahay, like, without the roof, without electricity, without any water.

“Pero hindi yun naging hindrance for me to be in the position that I am right now.

“And I just wanna share this story of mine to inspire especially young women out there who dreams to wear a crown someday.

“Na alam nila, they might experience so many difficulties in their life, but your circumstances can never define you.

“And with perseverance, with hard work, and, at the same time, with gratitude in your heart, I know that you can go a long way, especially in achieving your dreams.

“So yes, that’s my life story po. I came from humble beginning, but I never considered myself as victim of poverty, but as a testament that even if you grew up unprivileged, you can be someone that can definitely reach the success that you always dream of.”

ADVICE FROM FELLOW QUEENS

Beyond the usual pageant preparations, Anita is entering the competition fully equipped with advice from previous international titleholders in the ALV Pageant Circle.

Anita shared: “I think I received so many advice from our queens from ALV Pageant Circle.

“But one advice that I received is from Dia that I still remember right at this moment. And Dia told me to just give my best, to enjoy.

“Kasi we are batchmates during our pageant last year.

“So she knows, she saw how I dedicate myself in this competition and she just said that, ‘You just need to enjoy. Yun lang. Mag-enjoy ka na.'”

Anita added: “It’s my advantage, sabi nila, to compete because I am the only one Filipina that will be competing in this journey.

“So I just need to like, give my best to showcase what we have as Filipina, the resilience, the culture that we have, especially since we are the host country this time.

“So yun lang, they gave me the advice of just enjoy every moment of this journey kasi it will not last forever.

“But definitely, the experience that you have, the sisterhood that we will create, and, of course, whatever crown or titles that we will win that night is already a memory or treasure that you can actually be grateful for forever.”

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