Beauty queen-activist Maita Gomez passes away

By GIAN C. GERONIMO, GMA NEWS

Published July 12, 2012 10:10pm

Maita Gomez, a former beauty queen who later joined the communist guerilla movement during the Marcos administration years, died in her sleep on Thursday, according a friend.

At 7:02 p.m., Gomez’s friend and former Binibining Pilipinas - International titlist Aurora Pijuan tweeted news of Gomez’s death, but did not give details.

Pijuan also said Gomez’s wake will be held tomorrow afternoon or evening, and that her remains will eventually be brought to the Manila Memorial Park.

Gomez won the Miss Philippines - World title in 1967 and went on to represent the country in the Miss World competition that same year.

She became an activist during the Marcos presidency, and eventually went underground to be part of the communist guerilla movement.

Pijuan, both on Twitter and in a phone interview with GMA News Online, also belied reports that Gomez joined the guerilla movement a day after winning the Miss Philippines title.

Singer and poet Heber Bartolome, Gomez's former husband, wrote a tribute on Facebook:

At ngayo'y biglang nagbabalikan ang mga alaala Ng mga sandaling kasama sya Sa mga putikang pilapil Sa pagtawid ng mga tumana Sa paglipat-baryo At sa makulay na mga kwento ng pakikibaka...

GMA News Online is awaiting comment from Gomez’s immediate family. — DVM/ELR/KG, GMA News

Tags: maitagomez