Bea Millan-Windorski was named Miss Universe Philippines 2026 on Saturday night (May 2), besting 49 other candidates from around the country.
Representing La Union, Bea won because of her beautiful answer to the question of why is it still worth representing the Philippines on the global stage despite the frustration of many Filipinos with the country.
In her answer, she stated that she grew up in a “predominantly non-diverse part of the United States” where she was “identified as Filipina first and foremost.” She always felt a sense of belonging as a Filipino and she believed in the limitless potential of the Filipino people, also addressing the need to create more jobs in the country so people wouldn’t have to go abroad in order to survive.
Among those that she bested in the finals (Top 7) included Apriel Smith (Cebu City), Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province), Allyson Arceo Hetland (Pampanga), Jenrose Javier (Sultan Kudarat), Ysabella Ysmael (Taguig), and Marian Arellano (Tarlac).
Meanwhile, the Top 15 included representatives from Baguio, Camiguin, Iloilo City, Manila, Muntinlupa, Negros Occidental, Quezon Province, and Tacloban City.
The list of the Top 30 candidates also had the names of the girls from Albay; Cavite; Cotabato Province; Iligan City; Ilocos Norte; Luisiana, Laguna; Mountain Province; Pangasinan; Rizal; Samar Island; San Jose, Negros Oriental; Santo Tomas, La Union; Sarangani; and Tandag City.
Bea succeeded Ahtisa Manalo (who had a 3rd runner-up finish in Miss Universe 2025). She would be the Philippines’ representative in the 75th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Puerto Rico later this year.