Lance Joseph Martinez

Miss Universe Philippines 2026: Metro’s Top 7 Picks Ahead of Coronation Night

Article (news)

<p>Philippines, are you ready to meet your new queen?</p><p>The <strong>Miss Universe Philippines</strong> excitement is reaching its peak as, in just a few days, the country will finally crown the successor of <strong>Ahtisa Manalo</strong>,<strong> </strong>who made her mark in last year’s competition.</p><p>This Saturday night, the most prestigious pageant in the country will crown a new set of queens, each earning the opportunity to represent the Philippines on the global stage in various international pageants, including <strong>Miss Universe 2026</strong> in<strong> Puerto Rico</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DW7_q6jD5eP/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A212033.00000000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>From an initial roster of 50 candidates, the competition will narrow down to the Top 7 during coronation night, where the finalists will face the crucial question-and-answer portion that could define their once-in-a-lifetime journey.</p><p>As anticipation builds, <strong>METRO</strong> narrows down its list to seven, revealing its hot picks expected to shine in the final Q&amp;A battle as they vie for the <strong>Miss Universe Philippines</strong> crown.</p><div><strong>Scroll down to see the candidates during the recent Charity Gala Night at the City of Dreams Manila:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Baguio City - Roxie Baeyens</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><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/1777353985736roxieebae_1776667957_3879294455539968075_1162476122.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Roxie Baeyens wearing Edwin Uy | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Former <strong>Miss Earth Water Roxie Baeyens</strong> quickly emerges as one of the early favorites in Miss Universe Philippines 2026 following the announcement of her return to pageantry.</p><p>Armed with experience from her previous pageant run, along with her work as an actress and television host, Roxie enters the competition with renewed confidence and a stronger sense of purpose.</p><p>Reflecting on her journey and decision to take on the Miss Universe Philippines stage, Roxie shared, “There are still moments I pause in disbelief, thinking about how I dared to shoot for the stars and somehow found myself in the most incredible place in this universe. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe. Let’s make these finals days count!”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Cebu City - Apriel 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/1777353928455aprielsmith_1776785177_3880276155450782048_47477570044.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Apriel Smith wearing Edwin Uy | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Driven by a sense of unfinished business, <strong>Apriel Smith</strong> returns to the Miss Universe Philippines stage with renewed determination. After landing in the Top 16 during the inaugural standalone edition in 2020, the beauty queen continues to prove she has what it takes to claim the crown this time.</p><p>Opening up about the people who fuel her journey, Apriel paid tribute to her family in a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, “My loving and selfless Mother, whose strength and kindness inspire me every day; my two fiercely protective brothers, who never fail to stand by me; and my eldest sister, my partner in dreams, who shares my passion and vision.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Cebu Province - 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/1777353874398[image] - 8428006.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Nicole Borromeo wearing Edwin Uy | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>After falling short of clinching an international crown at <strong>Miss International 2023</strong>, where she finished as third runner-up, Nicole Borromeo steps back into the spotlight with renewed focus.</p><p>Coming out of a brief hiatus, she now sets her sights on capturing one of the country’s most prestigious titles.</p><p>Sharing what keeps her grounded throughout her journey, Nicole opened up about her source of strength, saying, “When I think of my happy place, I think of being home with my family. I’ve been homesick, had moments where I tried to figure everything out on my own… questioning, overthinking, carrying more than I needed to.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>La Union - Bea Millan-Windorski</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/1777353769078bea.millan.windorski_1776668275_3879295196513688295_1224155793.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Bea Millan-Windorski wearing Chico Estiva | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>After finishing as <strong>Miss Earth Water 2024</strong> while representing the USA, Bea Millan-Windorski now sets her sights on capturing her first international crown—this time wearing the Philippine sash.</p><p>From the moment she filed her application for Miss Universe Philippines, up to her standout preliminary performances in evening gown, swimsuit, and national costume, and through the closed-door interview, Bea remains a strong favorite for the crown.</p><p>Following their event in Misamis Occidental, she shared her renewed commitment, writing, “I’m more committed than ever to using my voice to celebrate our culture, uplift communities, and promote the beauty of Misamis Occidental and the Philippines as a whole.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Muntinlupa - Adela Mae Marshall</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/1777353653519adelamae_1776665036_3879268499004168108_33977670.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Adela Mae Marshall wearing Chico Estiva | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Representing the <strong>“City of Second Chances</strong>,<strong>”</strong> Adela Mae Marshall of Muntinlupa sees Miss Universe Philippines as her opportunity for a renewed shot at representing the country on the global stage, following her stint on <strong><em>Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 6.</em></strong></p><p>Beyond her eloquence, Adela is widely expected to deliver strong performances in every pictorial and runway segment, given her solid background in modeling.</p><p>Reflecting on the build-up to the coronation, she shared during their first rehearsal, “Can’t believe we’re finally here after months of build-up. What started as preparation now feels very real—marks to hit, cues to follow, a full show slowly coming together,” she wrote as they held their first day of rehearsal for coronation night on April 28.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Pampanga - Allyson Arceo Hetland</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/1777353481458allyson.hetland_1776664553_3879253593950494214_1398658486.jpg" style="width:700px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Allyson Hetland wearing Chico Estiva | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Despite it being her first national pageant, <strong>Allyson Arceo Hetland </strong>has surprised many with a performance that hardly resembles that of a newcomer during the preliminary activities.</p><p>As one of the fresh faces on the national pageantry stage, Allyson has made it clear she intends to be part of everyone’s hot picks, consistently delivering standout moments on the runway, in interviews, and across all segments of the competition.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Taguig - Bella Ysmael</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/1777349488940bellaysmael_1776668309_3879294243039345150_205717123.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Bella Ysmael wearing Albert Andrada | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>After finishing just behind <strong>Rabiya Mateo</strong> at <strong>Miss Universe Philippines 2020</strong>, Bella Ysmael returns to the pageant stage after a five-year hiatus with a renewed mindset, determined to leave no room for what ifs, regrets, or missed opportunities. This time, she is fully committed to surpassing her first runner-up finish in 2020.</p><p>Now considered one of the early favorites for the crown, Bella continues to make a strong impression after the preliminaries, consistently landing on prediction lists as a frontrunner for the Miss Universe Philippines title.</p><p>Reflecting on her unexpected comeback, she shared, “A year ago, I would’ve never imagined myself taking on this path again. But with the help of the Universe, and because I was lucky enough to stumble upon a whole community of the fiercest supporters, here we are again,” Bella wrote, expressing her excitement ahead of the coronation night on May 2.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos by <strong>Jai Murcillo</strong>, <strong>Seven Barretto</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> Jon Unson</strong></p>

<p>As anticipation peaks, here are the Top 7 standout queens we think are poised for the final cut in the race for the Miss Universe Philippines crown!</p>

As anticipation peaks, here are the Top 7 standout queens we think are poised for the final cut in the race for the Miss Universe Philippines crown!