WHAT WAS touted as “the most beautiful day” in the country culminated with the coronation of Beatrice “Bea” Millan-Windorski of La Union as Miss Universe Philippines 2026, besting 49 other aspirants for the title.
Standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall, Windorski inherited the crown from last year’s winner Ahtisa Manalo in ceremonies held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday evening, May 2. She was seemingly surprised when her name was singularly called as the winner of the most coveted title after a close to five hours’ coronation show.
The Filipino-American beauty queen is an aspiring lawyer, and was born and raised in Wisconsin. She represented the United States in the 2024 Miss Earth pageant where she received the Miss Earth-Water title.
At the question-and-answer portion, the seven finalists were asked a single question: “Many Filipinos are getting frustrated with the country. For you, why is it still worth it to represent the Philippines on the global stage?”
Windorski answered: “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 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 be separated from their families in order to survive and thrive. And if I were given the title as Miss Universe Philippines, I promise to be a public servant for all.”
The new queen now carries the responsibility of exceeding Manalo’s third runner-up finish on the international stage as she carries the country’s colors at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November, and try to become the fifth Filipino woman to bring home the crown.
Completing the Top 7 were: Jenrose Javier of Sultan Kudarat (Pina Beauty winner), Apriel Smith of Cebu City, Marian Arellano of Tarlac, Ysabella R. Ysmael of Taguig, Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province, and Allyson Arceo Hetland of Pampanga.
The six will receive their official designations in a separate ceremony that will be announced later. Still up for grabs are the two runner-up placements and the national titles under the sister brand “The Miss Philippines:” The Miss Philippines-Supranational, The Miss Philippines-Eco International, The Miss Philippines-Cosmo, and The Miss Philippines-Charm.
The coronation show also marked the first time that Filipina transwoman Marina Summers, known for her stint in Drag Race Philippines and RuPaul’s Drag race UK vs The World, hosted the pageant. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
