Bea Windorski is the next Pinay to raise our flag at Miss Universe

Statuesque beauty Bea Millan-Windorski has been crowned as this year’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) and sashed to represent the country in the 75th Miss Universe in Puerto Rico.

From the get-go of the national competition, which had its finale last May 2, the half-Pinay and half-American Bea was among the frontrunners and was favored to win the title.

Aside from her height, she possesses that queenly aura or presence. It is reminiscent of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (the country’s fourth winner) and Miss Universe 2002 Oxana Fedorova (of Russia, who was replaced by first runner-up Justine Pasek of Panama months later because the former couldn’t fulfill her duties, according to available information online).

Bea has that vibe of Catriona’s first and second runners-up, Tamaryn Green of South Africa, and Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela, as well as of fourth and first runners-up Monica Spear (of Venezuela from the Miss Universe 2005 edition) and Evelina Papantoniou (of Greece from the pageant’s 2001 edition), as some pageant fans and experts put it.

Her communication skills, including the confidence to articulate her thoughts, are one of Bea’s strengths, and the team behind her will definitely come up with a signature walk for her pasarela or runway walk. She also has an interesting story to tell and advocacy to share with everyone.

Her answer in the MUPH’s question-and-answer round gave one a glimpse into it.

“The Philippines is something and a place that I’ve been in love with my whole life. Growing up in a predominantly non-diverse part of the United States. I was identified as Filipina, first and foremost. I often had to point where the Philippines was on a map to my peers and I always felt a sense of belonging and home,” said she.

“I chose to pack my life into balikbayan boxes and suitcases because I believe in the limitless potential of the Filipino people. And the fact that we need to create local opportunities here, so that people don’t have to go abroad and be separated from their families in order to survive and thrive. And if I were given the title of Miss Universe Philippines, I promise to be a public servant for all,” added she, who knows what the Pinoy diaspora and an immigrant’s life are.'

In an interview available online, she was also asked about her message to fellow Pinoys. Her answer was this: “I promise to continue the work I’ve done for the past 10 years here in the Philippines with the environmental conservation, marching hand and hand with the Filipino people on the streets and working with organizations… to create a greener and more equitable future for all Filipinos.”

With her beauty and brains, she can stand side by side and hold her own with beauty delegates, especially the Latina representatives, at Miss Universe in November.

Many consider that she’s the country’s best bet and strongest delegate for the annual international competition of pulchritude and personality.

Wearing the Miss Philippines sash, Bea has the following missions: to continue the semi-finals streak of the country started by Michelle Dee (2023); reach the Top 5 (third runner-up finish of Ahtisa Manalo); and secure the fifth Miss Universe title for the country, last won and held by Catriona in 2018.

So far, the country has an impressive showing at Miss Universe with four titleholders (through the wins of Gloria Diaz in 1969; Margie Moran, 1973; Pia Wurtzbach, 2015; and Catriona) and a long list of semi-finalists (Top 30, 21, 16, 12 and 10), finalists (Top 5 and 6), and special awardees.

Previous representatives were also recognized with Best National Costume, Clairol Herbal Essences Style, Miss Photogenic awards and also a continental queen title (Miss Universe Asia).

As for Puerto Rico, it previously hosted and mounted Miss Universe in 1972, 2001 and 2002.

The Philippine delegates in these editions were Armi Crespo, Zorayda Ruth Andam and Karen Loren Agustin. Armi was a semi-finalist.

Unlike in most recent editions that chose the Top 21-16-20-30 in the first round of competition, those years had only 12 or 10 women to advance in the final night’s swimsuit and evening gown segments. From there, five were given the chance to do the question and answer. The judges ranked them as runners-up and the winner.

Kerry Anne Wells of Australia, Denise Quinoñes of Puerto Rico and Oxana of Russia were crowned winners in these editions during the broadcast.

Again, for this year’s edition of Miss Universe, Bea has been chosen as the next Pinay to represent the country and raise our flag.