HIGHLIGHTS: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night
The new Miss Universe Philippines queen has been crowned.
On Saturday, May 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a new queen was named among 31 candidates vying for the most coveted beauty title in the Philippines.
Whittled down from 51 delegates, the 31 bets were further cut down following a swimsuit competition, the evening gown segment, and a question-and-answer portion until only one winning queen remained.
The crown went to La Union's Bea Millan-Windorski from Miss Universe Philippines 2025 titleholder and Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo.
This year's pageant was hosted by drag superstar Marina Summers, who was a finalist at Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World.
Check out PhilSTAR L!fe's full coverage of the pageant below.
Special award winners announced
Several standouts earned special awards during the coronation night, highlighting not just their beauty but also their distinct strengths and personalities throughout the competition.
Check out the winners of special awards below.
- Miss Congeniality: Avee Kultsar (Las Piñas)
- Miss Photogenic: Kristen Joy Marcelino (Pateros)
- Best in Swimsuit: Justine Felizarta (Manila)
Bea Millan-Windorski is Miss Universe Philippines 2026
We have a new Miss Universe Philippines queen!
La Union's Bea Millan-Windorski won the highly coveted crown on Saturday, May 2.
She will represent the Philippines in the 75th Miss Universe pageant, which is set to take place at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ahtisa Manalo takes her final walk as MUPh queen
Ahtisa Manalo took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines, commanding the stage in a stunning dark pink, bedazzled gown.
As she concluded her reign, she reflected on her journey to the crown through a pre-recorded video, tracing her path from being a young beauty queen to representing the country on the global stage.
"We all have our own stories, we all have our own perfect timings. Winning and losing won't really define who you are, and who you're gonna be in the future," she said.
Top 7 bets take the spotlight in Q&A portion
Getting their final chance to wow the judges and clinch the crown, the Top 7 delegates had to answer one 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?"
Candidates shared their advocacies and personal experiences while reiterating why they believe they have what it takes to become the next Miss Universe Philippines queen.
7 candidates advance to the next round of the pageant
The MUPh candidates have been narrowed down to seven.
Here are the seven finalists who are another step closer to the highly coveted crown.
- Sultan Kudarat: Jenrose Javier
- La Union: Bea Millan Windorski
- Cebu City: Apriel Smith
- Tarlac: Marian Arellano
- Taguig: Ysabella Ysmael
- Cebu Province: Nicole Borromeo
- Pampanga: Allyson Hetland
MUPh delegates turn heads in their evening gowns
The Top 15 candidates brought glitz and glamour to the pageant stage.
They showcased their beauty and elegance during the evening gown competition, with most of them opting for neutral hues with some sparkle and subtly sexy numbers.
TOP 15 IN FULL GLAM
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) May 2, 2026
The Top 15 of #MissUniversePhilippines2026 bring elegance to the evening gown competition. LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/s0StBoYlif
(Screenshots: Empire PH / YouTube) pic.twitter.com/15MUomPjzj
MUPh announces Top 15 candidates
Did your bet make the cut?
The Miss Universe Philippines organization has named the candidates who made it to the Top 15 of the pageant.
They are the following:
- Muntinlupa: Adela Mae Marshall
- Sultan Kudarat: Jenrose Javier
- Baguio City: Roxie Baeyens
- Tacloban City: Jacqueline Gulrajani
- La Union: Bea Millan Windorski
- Quezon Province: Patricia Ella Evangelista
- Taguig: Ysabella Ysmael
- Camiguin: Erica Cadayday
- Tarlac: Marian Arellano
- Manila: Justine Felizarta
- Iloilo City: Zestah Espinosa
- Cebu Province: Nicole Borromeo
- Cebu City: Apriel Smith
- Pampanga: Allyson Hetland
- Negros Occidental: Alexandra Colmenares
Swimsuit competition: MUPh candidates turn up the heat
It's getting hot in here!
The Top 30 looked stunning in white two-piece swimwear during the swimsuit round of this year's tilt. Adding more fun to their ensembles is a colorful cape.
They finished off their looks with nude heels and striking earrings.
MUPH CANDIDATES TURN UP THE HEAT
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) May 2, 2026
The candidates brought summer vibes to the #MissUniversePhilippines2026 stage during the pageant's swimsuit segment. LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/s0StBoYlif
(Screenshots: Empire PH / YouTube) pic.twitter.com/5fV35Qnw8F
Top 30 semifinalists revealed
The Top 30 candidates have been announced.
Here are the bets who are joining the next round of the competition:
- Albay: Alexandra Krishna Oriño
- Muntinlupa: Adela Mae Marshall
- Sultan Kudarat: Jenrose Javier
- Sarangani: Nicole Cruz
- Rizal: Alicia Buendia
- Quezon Province: Patricia Ella Evangelista
- Ilocos Norte: Cherieze Cacayorin
- Pangasinan: Donna Rein Nuguid
- Cavite: Jencel Caña
- Negros Occidental: Alexandra Colmenares
- Mountain Province: Lyneree Montero Yodong
- Tandag City: Chrsytel Mae Correos
- Camiguin: Erica Cadayday
- San Jose, Negros Oriental: Jayka Munsayac
- Manila: Justine Felizarta
- Cebu Province: Nicole Borromeo
- Pampanga: Allyson Hetland
- Taguig: Ysabella Ysmael
- La Union: Bea Millan Windorski
- Laguna: Ysabel Prats
- Tarlac: Marian Arellano
- Cebu City: Apriel Smith
- Baguio City: Roxie Baeyens
- Iloilo City: Zestah Espinosa
- Tacloban City: Jacqueline Gulrajani
- Iligan City: Trexy Paris Roxas
- Cotabato Province: Clarissa Westram
- Luisiana, Laguna: Ashley Subijano Montenegro
- Samar Island: Catherine Wardle
- Santo Tomas, La Union: Rachel Hanna Gozum
The MUPh 2026 pageant begins
Reigning MUPh queen Ahtisa Manalo was all smiles as she opened the show.
"On this stage, a new Filipina will rise to conquer the Universe," she said as she greeted the crowd with a smile.
P-pop group BGYO brought excitement with a fun performance as the 31 candidates took the stage with an opening number in blue ensembles.
International drag queen Marina Summers then entered the stage as host. "Tonight I stand here not just as your host but as someone who loves this stage just as much as you do," she said.
This year's pageant is being hosted by drag superstar Marina Summers, who was a finalist at Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World. LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/s0StBoYlif#MissUniversePhilippines2026
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) May 2, 2026
(Screenshots: Empire PH / YouTube) pic.twitter.com/l5mnQ2qHdo
Meet the selection committee
The Miss Universe Philippines organization has introduced the judging panel for this year's tilt.
The lineup brings together a diverse mix of voices from entertainment, fashion, media, business, and beauty:
- Jennylyn Mercado — Actress, CEO of DLN Skin
- Crystal Jacinto — Founder, Villa Medica Philippines
- Carlos Garcia Candal — CEO, GMG Productions
- Zhao Na — Miss Universe Asia 2025
- Ida Aldana — Executive Editor, Cosmopolitan Philippines
- Gazini Ganados — Miss Universe Philippines 2019
- Peewee Reyes Isidro — Editor-in-Chief, MEGA Magazine
- Rhett Eala — Fashion Designer
- Hayden Kho Jr. — Co-Chairman, Belo Group of Companies
- Bryan Lim — VP, Suyen Corporation
