Bea MillanWindorski Crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Bea MillanWindorski of La Union was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026 on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, earning the right to represent the country at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in November in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 23-year-old Filipino-American bested 50 other contestants in the national competition, succeeding Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, who placed third runner-up at Miss Universe 2025. MillanWindorski's victory came after a final question-and-answer round, where the Top 7 finalists addressed frustrations among Filipinos and the value of representing the nation globally. She responded, "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. 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...