Bayanihan for Bea Millan-Windorski as Miss Universe 2026 opens online voting

FILIPINO-AMERICAN activist Bea Millan-Windorski hopes to bring out the Filipinos’ “bayanihan” spirit for her campaign to score the Philippines’ fifth victory in the Miss Universe 2026 pageant as it releases the delegates’ official headshots on its app for online voting.

“LABAN [Philippine flag emoji][universe emoji] The Miss Universe Fan Vote has officially begun!” the beauty queen posted on social media as she shared her headshot.

In the image, Windorski was in a simple white tube top, and her long black hair was kept straight to frame her face. Yet the expression in her eyes evoke the ferocity of someone determined to take the crown.

Master lensman Seven Barretto went behind the camera to snap the shot. Sought-after stylist Perry Tabora, the same person responsible for assembling Ahtisa Manalo’s looks during her reign, was in charge of styling. Jaja Pangilinan took make up duties, while Jonas Lucas handled hairstyling.

“Vote for Philippines in the MU Fan App at the link in my bio. Para sa Pilipinas, para sa bayan ko [red heart emoji] Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal at suporta (For the Philippines, for my country, thank you very much for your love and support),” Windorski said.

She will fly to Puerto Rico for the 75th Miss Universe pageant in November, and try to inherit the crown from controversial Mexican titleholder Fatima Bosch. The Philippines is currently tied with Mexico as the fourth most successful country at Miss Universe with four winners each.

This year’s edition of the international pageant is already attracting controversy even before the delegates are set to arrive in the Caribbean territory of the United States, with factions within the Miss Universe Organization trading accusations against each other. (Armin Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)