Lance Joseph Martinez

The Race Is On: 5 Seasoned Beauty Queens Confirm Pageantry Comeback for Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Article (news)

<p>The <strong>Miss Universe </strong>fever is officially heating up in the Philippines as candidates gradually step into the spotlight, with several aspirants already being revealed or teasing their possible participation in what remains the country’s most talked-about pageant.</p><p>As pageant fans begin placing their early bets for the coveted crown, excitement quickly turned into shock following a major announcement: five seasoned beauty queens—<strong>Bella Ysmael</strong>,<strong></strong> <strong>Nicole Borromeo</strong>,<strong> Apriel Smith</strong>,<strong> Roxie Smith</strong>,<strong></strong><strong></strong> <strong></strong>and<strong> Imelda Schweighart</strong>—have confirmed their return to the national pageantry stage.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770109200546themissuniverseph_1769243208_3817011141076268165_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">The official logo for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2026 | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>All five queens previously competed in national competitions, and news of their comeback swiftly made waves within the pageant community. Their return has been highly anticipated, especially as fans have long been rallying both online and offline for them to give pageantry another shot.</p><p>With curiosity now at an all-time high, here’s a closer look at Bella Ysmael, Nicole Borromeo, Apriel Smith, Roxie Smith, and Imelda Schweighart, the seasoned beauty queens who have officially announced their return to the <strong>Miss Universe Philippines</strong> stage for 2026.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Bella Ysmael</strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770108412201bellaysmael_1769851199_3822111343378644734_205717123.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photography by Jai Murcillo via @bellaysmael</span></span></span><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Representing the city of <strong>Taguig</strong>, Bella Ysmael officially signaled her return to the Miss Universe Philippines spotlight after being formally presented during a sashing ceremony held last week, marking six years since her last appearance on the national pageant stage at <strong>Miss Universe Philippines 2020.</strong></p><p>Then competing for <strong>Parañaque</strong>, Bella—granddaughter of veteran actress <strong>Marita Zobel </strong>and niece of <strong>Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran</strong>—finished as first runner-up, narrowly missing the crown that year, which went to <strong>Rabiya Mateo</strong> of Iloilo during the pageant’s inaugural edition.</p><p>Speaking at the sashing ceremony, Bella reflected on her personal growth over the years, sharing that she is no longer the same person who competed in 2020. She noted that she has evolved beyond being just a ballerina who wanted to join a pageant, emphasizing that her time away from the limelight allowed her to grow, mature, and rediscover herself.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Nicole Borromeo</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770108535240danified_mua_1769935935_3822821408469327331_4233580075.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @danified_mua</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>During an official sashing ceremony held on February 1, Nicole Borromeo was formally introduced as the delegate of <strong>Cebu Province</strong> for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines, marking her re-entry into the national pageantry spotlight following her victory at <strong>Binibining Pilipinas 2022.</strong></p><p>After clinching the <strong>Miss International Philippines 2023</strong> title, Nicole went on to represent the country at the <strong>Miss International 2023</strong> pageant, where she finished as third runner-up, further solidifying her status as one of the country’s most accomplished beauty queens.</p><p>A seasoned pageant veteran, Borromeo’s journey in pageantry dates back to 2017, when she was crowned <strong>Miss Silka Cebu</strong> and later placed second runner-up at <strong>Miss Silka Philippines 2017.</strong></p><p>She continued to build her résumé in 2019, representing Carcar at <strong>Miss Teen Philippines</strong>,<strong></strong> where she once again secured a second runner-up finish, this time behind <strong>Nikki de Moura</strong> of<strong> Cagayan de Oro.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Apriel Smith</strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770108592181aprielsmith_1769930609_3822777215871879653_47477570044 (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photography by Garel Sison via @aprielsmith</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Alongside Nicole Borromeo, Apriel Smith has been officially announced as the delegate of<strong> Cebu City</strong> for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2026, marking her return to the pageant scene after several stints in local competitions.</p><p>Smith first captured national attention alongside Bella Ysmael as part of the pioneer batch of delegates at the inaugural standalone<strong> Miss Universe Philippines 2020</strong>, where she earned a Top 16 finish.</p><p>Reflecting on her comeback, Apriel wrote on Instagram, “This journey is no longer about proving anything to anyone. It’s about purpose. It’s about showing that beauty queens are human—full of personality, flaws, fears, and growth.”</p><p>She continued, “And now, it’s my dream that’s driving me forward: to turn my weaknesses, my doubts, and my story into something that reminds others they are seen, they are enough, and they can rise too.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Roxie Smith</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770108652060roxieebae_1770011066_3823449523713363592_1162476122.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photography by Seven Barretto via @roxieebae</span></span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>In a sashing ceremony on Monday, <strong></strong>Kapuso<strong></strong> actress and beauty queen Roxie Smith was officially announced as the delegate of <strong>Baguio City</strong> for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2026, marking her return to the national pageant scene after six years.</p><p>Roxie first made waves in the pageant world as<strong> Miss Earth Philippines 2020, </strong>representing the country at<strong> Miss Earth 2020,</strong> where she earned the<strong> Miss Earth Water </strong>title.</p><p>Beyond the pageant stage, Roxie has built a promising career in showbiz. Signed with<strong> Cornerstone Entertainment Inc.</strong>,<strong></strong> she has pursued acting under her screen name Roxie Smith (formerly <strong>Roxanne Baeyens</strong>) and is part of<strong> Sparkada, </strong>a dynamic group of 17 young talents under <strong>Sparkle</strong>,<strong></strong> the talent management arm of <strong>GMA Network.<br/></strong></p><p>Sharing her excitement on social media, Roxie wrote, “Dreams don’t disappear when the timing feels imperfect—they wait for the courage to be chosen. Let’s do this, Universe!”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Imelda Schweighart</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770108706320imeldarabbit_1766449277_3793573954742122296_3607271779.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @imeldarabbit</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Last October, Imelda Schweighart revealed her plans to return to the pageant scene, aiming to represent the Philippines in another international competition. She has now been officially announced as the delegate of <strong>Kalibo, Aklan</strong> for Miss Universe Philippines 2026.</p><p>Schweighart first made her mark in national pageantry at<strong> Binibining Pilipinas 2013,</strong> where she finished as one of the Top 15 finalists. In 2016, she competed in <strong>Miss Philippines Earth,</strong> representing <strong>Puerto Princesa, </strong>and went on to win the crown, though she later resigned, cutting her reign short.</p><p>Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Schweighart wrote, “Honored to officially represent Kalibo, Aklan for Miss Universe Philippines 2026. This journey is for every woman who dared to start over and rise again.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@imeldarabbit</strong>,<strong> @danified_mua</strong>,<strong> Seven Barretto</strong>,<strong> Garel Sison</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> Jai Murcillo</strong></p>

<p>Miss Universe fever is officially heating up in the Philippines as the spotlight shines on both fresh faces and seasoned queens, including Bella Ysmael, Nicole Borromeo, Apriel Smith, Roxie Smith, and Imelda Schweighart.</p>

Miss Universe fever is officially heating up in the Philippines as the spotlight shines on both fresh faces and seasoned queens, including Bella Ysmael, Nicole Borromeo, Apriel Smith, Roxie Smith, and Imelda Schweighart.

5 Seasoned Beauty Queens Confirm Pageantry Comeback for Miss Universe Philippines 2026

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5 Seasoned Beauty Queens Confirm Pageantry Comeback for Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published Feb 04, 2026 11:15 AM PHT

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Bella Ysmael

Nicole Borromeo

Apriel Smith

Roxie Smith

Imelda Schweighart

Miss Universe Philippines

Beauty Queen

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