On October 28, social media was buzzing because of beauty queen Maria Izobel Taguiam's fearless answer in the Q&A portion of the Binibining Cebu pageant.
The 17-year-old, who represented Tabogon, was asked if she had a boyfriend during the top 12 Q&A round. She answered, "Yes, but not a boyfriend, but a girlfriend. Because I believe love does not see gender and if you love that someone, go for it."
She was then asked if a single woman would be more capable of fulfilling her duties as the reigning Binibining Cebu. She replied that if the partner is supportive, the relationship should not hinder one's commitments.
In an interview with the Cebu Daily News, the beauty queen shared how her girlfriend has been instrumental in her career: "I'm just proud to have her. I just want to tell people it is okay to love someone regardless of gender. She did not attend any of my practices but she would always fetch me or book my Grab para ma-monitor niya [ako]."
In the same interview, she recalled an instance when her partner drove her on a motorbike and gave her a helmet and jacket, while she remained unprotected against the rain, "She still drove me back to the city para lang makaabot ako [sa ]appointment. She's someone worth loving, she has a beautiful soul."