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What is ‘authentic’ Filipino identity? New Miss Universe Philippines’ win reignites debate

The Philippines has crowned its newest Miss Universe candidate, Bea Millan-Windorski, as the country – known for its penchant for beauty pageants – prepares to…

By Samantha Johnson / May 9, 2026
The Philippines has crowned its newest Miss Universe candidate, Bea Millan-Windorski, as the country – known for its penchant for beauty pageants – prepares to send its latest representative to the global competition in November.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Wisconsin in the United States and holds a degree in history and international relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stood out among seven finalist last weekend with her winning answer.

Asked why the Philippines was still worth representing on the global stage despite its citizens’ constant frustrations with the country, Millan-Windorski replied: “The Philippines is something and a place I fell in love with my whole life. Growing up in a predominantly non-diverse part of the US, I was identified as Filipina first and foremost.”

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“I believe in the limitless potential of the Filipino people and the fact that we need to create local opportunities here so that people don’t have to go abroad and be separated from their families in order to survive and thrive. If I were given the title of Miss Universe Philippines, I promise to be a public servant for all,” she added.

Ariella Arida, national director of the Miss Universe Philippines organisation, said Millan-Windorski was “impossible to ignore”, citing the beauty queen’s “statuesque presence, a humble spirit … and a face that could launch a thousand ships” in a social media post on Tuesday.

Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, was the first winner of African-American descent. Photo: Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines
Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, was the first winner of African-American descent. Photo: Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines

However, some pageant fans have questioned Millan-Windorski’s win, noting that she spent most of her life in the US and had previously represented the country at a Miss Earth pageant before joining the Philippine competition.

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