Who is Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Bea Millan-Windorski?
Check out this page for highlights of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 pageant
If there is one lady who can truly embody the global spirit of the Filipino people on the international stage, it is newly crowned 2026 Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski.
The 5-foot-11 American-Filipino aspiring lawyer was born and raised in the United States and represented her mother’s home province, La Union, in the national competition. But did you know she also has roots in Europe?
Windorski shared with Inquirer Entertainment in an interview that her father comes from a line of German-Polish migrants who moved to Wisconsin to work in agriculture. “It shows that the United States is a country built by immigrants,” she said.
Even her educational pursuit is an intercontinental endeavor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and international relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and focused on Southeast Asian Studies.
Windorski grew up in a predominantly white community in the United States, but even with her towering height and sharp facial features, she was labeled as the “Filipino” in the community.
And the Philippines’ obsession with beauty pageants has rubbed off on her. She represented Wisconsin in the 2024 Miss Earth USA competition, where she won her way to her first global tilt.
She flew to Manila as USA’s delegate to the 23rd Miss Earth pageant, where she received an “elemental title” as Miss Earth-Water, serving as the guardian of the world’s aquatic resources.
Windorski stayed in the Philippines for most of her reign, and settled in La Union after relinquishing her Miss Earth USA title earlier last year. She took on modeling gigs, and continued to work on her environmental advocacy with the help of several nonprofit organizations.
Windorski even took part in a mass demonstration denouncing massive corruption in the country unmasked by the flood control scandal, and called for better use of public funds.
“One thing about the demonstration is that they actually helped me reconnect with my Catholic faith. Growing up, I went to Mass and I got confirmed, but it wasn’t really something I felt I uphold,” she said.
“But seeing how involved the clergy is and how they truly fight for the oppressed here, I started going to Mass more, I have also started being a part of typhoon relief drives with my parish. And for the first time I really feel at home in my faith because of the people that I met at those demonstrations,” Windorski continued.
The new queen inherited the Miss Universe Philippines crown from last year’s winner Ahtisa Manalo, besting 49 other aspirants for the title at the final competition staged at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, May 2.
Windorski declared that she will do everything in her power to give the Philippines its fifth Miss Universe victory in the international pageant’s 75th edition taking place in Puerto Rico in November. /ra
