Who is Miss Philippines Earth 2026 Rina Andrea Delos Santos?
The country has a new Earth Queen.
On June 27, Rina Andrea Delos Santos of Ballesteros, Cagayan was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2026, beating out 31 other hopefuls at the end of the pageant's coronation night at the Cultural Center in Malitbog, Bukidnon.
A company tour guide in her hometown, Delos Santos champions sustainable tourism. In her introductory video for the pageant, she said, "Guiding with a purpose means protecting the environment, preserving culture, and empowering communities."
"Responsible guiding, education, and community collaboration ensures that tourism protects our planet and benefits future generations," she added.
Get to know our newest Miss Philippines Earth titleholder.
She has a degree in medical technology
Delos Santos graduated cum laude from Far Eastern University Manila with a bachelor of science degree in medical technology.
"Through sleepless nights, endless examinations, and countless sacrifices, I persevered. Four years later, I proudly earned my degree and passed the licensure examination," she wrote on Facebook a little over a week before her coronation.
She passed the Medical Technologists Licensure Examination in March 2023.
She grew up influenced by the sea and a life of public service
Recalling her childhood, Delos Santos wrote on Facebook that as a child, she "was shaped by the rhythm of the waves and a legacy of service."
"My late father was a dedicated Sangguniang Bayan member. He taught me that to love your hometown is to protect its people and its natural treasures," she wrote.
She assured her followers that as she carried her father's heart, she also held in utmost importance the resilience of her coastal community and "a lifelong commitment" to taking care of the environment.
Her childhood was filled with movement and dreams
"I was a little girl with curious feet and an adventurous heart," she wrote. "I was a singer, a dancer, an athlete, and a student leader. My days were filled with activities, responsibilities, and aspirations."
It looked like she was never idle as she recalled, "There was always something on my plate."
Delos Santos joined the Bb. Ballesteros 2023 and was crowned its winner.
She once dreamed of being an actress
Before the pandemic, Delos Santos admitted one of her many dreams was to become an artist.
"I remember standing at the doors of Star Magic, holding on to hope and excitement, ready to take my first steps toward a world I had always imagined for myself," she wrote.
But it appeared this dream was not meant to be.
Since Delos Santos was still in school then, she had to balance her Star Magic training with her education, trying to excel in both.
"The pressure became overwhelming, and one day, I broke down in tears," she wrote.
The beauty queen realized then she had to let her dream go, burying it "beneath responsibility, practicality, and fear."
Her heart is in tourism
After she graduated, she arrived at a crossroads.
"Should I continue toward medicine, or should I listen to the voice of the little girl who still dreamed beyond the classroom?" she asked herself, eventually choosing to follow her heart.
Although she continued creating content, which she picked up during the pandemic, Delos Santos also kept traveling and exploring new places.
Along the way, she found a deeper purpose "that would change my life," she wrote. "I fell in love with tourism—not just because of the beautiful destinations, but because of the stories, cultures, traditions, and communities behind them," Delos Santos continued.
She stuck to this dream and became an accredited community tour guide. More than visiting places, Delos Santos said she was advocating for "preserving heritage, protecting the environment, and creating meaningful connections between people and communities."
Delos Santos will be representing the Philippines at the upcoming Miss Earth 2026 pageant.
