Ahtisa Manalo Crowns Successor as Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Pageant Kicks Off in Manila

Key facts

• Ahtisa Manalo finished third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe Pageant in Thailand.
• Manalo crowned Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union as her successor on May 2 at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
• The 75th Miss Universe Pageant will be held at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November 2026.
• Marina Summers, a trans woman and former RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World contestant, urged the public to apply the same standards to political elections as to pageants.
• Summers made history in May 2025 as the first Filipina drag queen to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
• Manalo thanked her fan base, Ahtistahins, and her GMA family during her farewell speech.

A Regal Farewell and a New Beginning

The air at the SM Mall of Asia Arena was thick with nostalgia on May 2 as Ahtisa Manalo, third runner-up in the 74th Miss Universe Pageant, took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines 2025. Wearing a sequined fuchsia gown with a thigh slit, she exuded regal poise, inspiring the delegates waiting in the wings. Minutes later, Manalo crowned her successor, Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union, who will now carry the Philippine banner to the 75th Miss Universe Pageant in Puerto Rico this November. The transition marked the close of one chapter and the start of another for the country's pageant community.

Manalo’s Farewell Speech: A Call to Carry the Filipino Spirit

In a video farewell speech, Manalo reflected on a life intertwined with pageantry. 'I don't even remember a life before pageantry,' she said, adding that the dream of becoming Miss Universe was always present but not the only aspiration. She emphasized the responsibility that came with the national stage: 'I have to be an example, and I have to serve as a symbol of something.' Manalo credited her success to hard work, patience, and persistence, and acknowledged the collective effort behind her journey. 'Everyone lumalaban: the Filipino fans, the organization, the people who are working behind the scenes,' she said, expressing gratitude to her GMA family, her hometown of Candelaria, Quezon Province, and her fan base, the Ahtistahins. Addressing the next generation of beauty queens, she urged them to 'be ready' and to remember that 'winning or losing won't really define who you are.' She reminded them to stand proudly on the Miss Universe stage, carrying 'the hopes, the stories, and the beauty of the Filipino people.'

Marina Summers’ Political Call to Action

During the coronation night, host Marina Summers took a moment to pivot the audience’s attention from pageantry to politics. 'For the people here at the arena, and for the people watching at home, the stakes are high and everybody is understandably invested in this pageant,' she said. 'Let’s just hope that we have the same standards when we elect our country’s future leaders.' Summers, who came out as a trans woman in February and began transitioning last year, has been a prominent figure in entertainment. She finished third on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World in 2024, the only Asian contestant, and made history in May 2025 as the first Filipina drag queen to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Her remarks resonated with the candidates, who cheered in agreement.

The Road to Puerto Rico: What Lies Ahead for the New Queen

Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union now faces the task of preparing for the 75th Miss Universe Pageant, scheduled for November 2026 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The competition will mark the 75th edition of the global pageant, and expectations are high for the Philippine representative. Manalo’s third runner-up finish in Thailand set a benchmark, and the organization will be working to ensure Millan-Windorski is equipped to compete at the highest level. The new queen will carry not only her own ambitions but also the collective hopes of a nation known for its passionate pageant fandom.

A Legacy of Resilience and Representation

Manalo’s farewell underscored a theme of perseverance that has defined her reign. 'After a while, when I stepped on the national stage, then I realized that I have more responsibility than just to myself,' she said. Her journey, from a small town in Quezon Province to the global Miss Universe stage, serves as a testament to the values she championed. Marina Summers’ presence as a trans woman and drag queen further highlighted the evolving inclusivity of the pageant world. Her call for political discernment added a layer of civic engagement to an evening typically focused on glamour and talent. Together, the two women embodied a shift toward substance and social awareness in Philippine pageantry.

What Comes Next: The Countdown to November

With the coronation complete, the Philippine pageant machine will now pivot to supporting Bea Millan-Windorski in her preparations. The 75th Miss Universe Pageant promises to be a milestone event, and the country will be watching closely. Manalo’s parting words to the new queen and her peers resonate as a guiding principle: 'Only you can define your own story.' As Millan-Windorski steps into the spotlight, she will have the opportunity to write her own narrative on one of the world’s biggest stages.

The bottom line

• Ahtisa Manalo crowned Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union as Miss Universe Philippines 2026 on May 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
• Manalo finished third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe Pageant in Thailand and delivered a farewell speech emphasizing responsibility and gratitude.
• The 75th Miss Universe Pageant will take place in November 2026 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Marina Summers, a trans woman and drag queen, used the coronation platform to urge the public to apply the same scrutiny to political elections as to pageants.
• Summers made history as the first Filipina drag queen to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in May 2025.
• Manalo’s speech highlighted the collective effort behind her journey, thanking her fan base, family, and GMA network.