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Maita Gomez, activist, women's advocate, and beauty Queen dies at 64

 Photo Gallery of former Miss Philippines World Maita Gomez

Maita Gomez - activist, advocate for women’s rights and other social and political causes, beauty queen and one of the famous personalities in the local scene dies at the age of 64.

The friends of Maita including Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casino and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes confirmed the news through the microblogging site Twitter.

Maita Gomez died in her sleep in her Quezon City home Thursday, according to film director Behn Cervantes. It was her son who discovered his mother had died when he tried to wake her up at about 2 p.m.

Maita Gomez was a title holder in the 1967 Miss Philippines World. As the Philippine delegate to form the 1977 Miss World competition, she was in the 'Magic Nine'. She was a famous cover girl of the 60's, well remembered for her daring move of cutting her hair in a short geometric style that reminded everyone of 60's English model superstar, 'Twiggy.' Gomez was also a top model for designer Pitoy Moreno before winning the Miss Philippines title.

Maita Went underground When Martial Law was declared by dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She joined the communist guerilla struggle against Ferdinand Marcos a day after her victory as Miss Philippines World. According to reports, she became a political activist while studying medicine at the University of the Philippines in the 1960s.

Maita's death was due to cardiac arrest. Her remains are at Funeraria Paz at the Manila Memorial Park where her four siblings mourn.

The staff of DiversityHuman.com extends our deepest condolences to the family of Gomezes.

Source: wikipilipinas.org, interaksyon.com, PDI news, PEP

Photo Gallery of former Miss Philippines World Maita Gomez