Kay BMW ang korona: La Union wins Miss Universe Philippines 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026 on Saturday, May 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Fifty (50) beauty queens participated in a revamped competition that saw fans voting during an expanded preliminary round, as well as the different rounds on coronation night.
The night ended with Bea winning over fans and the judges as the La Union delegate succeeds Ahtisa Manalo, the reigning Miss Universe third runner-up.
Bea was a frontrunner entering the coronation night, pegged as a favorite by numerous pageant fans and even won a slew of sponsored awards.
Her preliminary performance continued on the stage as she made the Top 30 cut and sizzled in the Swimsuit Competition to qualify for the Top 15.
In the Evening Gown competition, Bea wore a bronze dress draped with crystal-like fragments as designed by Anthony Ramirez, who frequently works in and with Bea's home province.
She was a finalist with six other delegates who were all asked the same query for the Question and Answer round: "Many Filipinos are getting frustrated with the country. For you, why is it still worth it to represent the Philippines on the global stage?"
Bea's winning answer began with acknowledging her love of the Philippines even though she grew up in the United States.
"I chose to pack my life into balikbayan boxes and suitcases because I believe in the limitless potential of the Filipino people," Bea said. "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."
Time ran out for her to finish her answer but Bea managed to give a vow that should she win, she promises to be a public servant for everyone.
The selection committee found her response and overall performance worth of the crown, winning over fellow finalists Apriel Smith (Cebu City), Marian Arellano (Tarlac), Bella Ysmael (Taguig), Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province), Allyson Hetland (Pampanga), and Jenrose Javier (Sultan Kudarat).
Bea will now represent the country in the diamond edition of Miss Universe later this year in Puerto Rico where she hopes to best Ahtisa's performance and even win the Philippines' fifth title.
