MANILA, Philippines — Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026 on Saturday, May 3, 2026, marking the first time the coastal province on Luzon has claimed the national pageant title.
The newly crowned titleholder will represent the Philippines in the international Miss Universe competition, aiming for the country's fifth crown in the prestigious pageant.
ABS-CBN News correspondent Dyan Castillejo reported in the days leading up to the finale that Millan-Windorski was determined to bring home the Philippines' fifth Miss Universe title. GMA News confirmed the win on Saturday, with reporter Joy Tunac covering the crowning ceremony.
Millan-Windorski's victory adds to La Union's growing list of achievements in the Philippine pageant world. The province, known for its surf beaches and coastal communities, has produced several national pageant contenders in recent years.
A Historic Win for La Union
The crowning marks a milestone for La Union, a province that has long been recognized for producing beauty queens but had never secured the Miss Universe Philippines title until now.
Miss Universe Philippines is one of the country's most prestigious pageants, serving as the official selection event for the Philippines' representative to the global Miss Universe competition. The organization holds its annual finale at different venues across the country.
What Comes Next
Millan-Windorski will now prepare to represent the Philippines on the international stage. The Miss Universe 2026 competition is scheduled to take place later this year, where she will compete against delegates from more than 90 countries and territories worldwide.
The Philippines currently holds four Miss Universe titles, making it one of the most successful countries in the pageant's history. Millan-Windorski's campaign will seek to add a fifth crown to the country's collection.
GMA News and ABS-CBN contributed to the reporting of this story.
