Lance Joseph Martinez

Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 7 Share Pre-Coronation Letters to Themselves

Article (news)

<p>From the early months of the year up to coronation night last Saturday, all eyes were locked on the <strong>Miss Universe Philippines 2026</strong> competition—a culmination of nearly a year of intense training, preparation, and fierce yet inspiring rivalry among the queens.</p><p>Beyond the excitement felt by fans, the journey proved deeply emotional for the candidates themselves, who underwent rigorous <em>pasarela</em> training, Q&amp;A drills, and, most importantly, the mental discipline needed to chase their dreams on the national stage.</p><div></div><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/1777864536341[image] - 3587354.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Miss Universe Philippines 2026&#x27;s Top 7 | Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>By the end of the highly anticipated night, seven standout queens rose to the top: Sultan Kudarat’s <strong>Jenrose Javier</strong>,<strong> </strong>Cebu City’s<strong> Apriel Smith</strong>, <strong></strong>Tarlac’s <strong>Marian Arellano</strong>,<strong> </strong>Taguig City’s <strong>Ysabella Ysmael</strong>,<strong> </strong>Cebu Province’s<strong> Nicole Borromeo</strong>,<strong></strong> Pampanga’s<strong> Allyson Hetland</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> </strong>La Union’s<strong> Bea Millan-Windorski</strong>—who ultimately clinched the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 crown.</p><p>As anticipation builds for the announcement of additional titles and international representatives, <strong>fans can revisit a heartfelt moment from the competition: the personal letters these Top 7 queens wrote to themselves before coronation night.</strong></p><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/1777871073485themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231373710815447_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Whether she holds the crown or not, <strong>Bea Millan-Windorski </strong>made it clear that her purpose goes far beyond pageantry—remaining committed above all to serving the Filipino people. </p><p>&quot;Excited to continue working hand in hand with my kabaybayan to protect our environment, build a kinder and more equitable future, and to promote economic opportunities here at home,&quot; the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related: <a href="https://metro.style/people/2026/5/3/who-is-bea-millan-windorski-10-facts-about-the-newly-crowned-miss-universe-philippines-2026-0125" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Who is Bea Millan-Windorski? 10 Facts About the Newly-Crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026</a></strong></div><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/1777871113827themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231372217627347_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In a heartfelt piece titled <strong>“An Oath to My Younger Self,” </strong><strong>Apriel Smith </strong>opened up about the emotional journey behind her third attempt at the Miss Universe Philippines crown, just hours before coronation night.</p><p>The Cebuana beauty candidly shared the criticism she has faced throughout the years, revealing, “A lot of people tell me, ‘Apriel, change your narrative <em>na</em>, <em>nakakasawa na ‘yung</em> black skin card,’ especially now on my third attempt.”</p><p>But instead of giving in to the noise, Apriel said reconnecting with her younger self grounded her in truth and purpose. “I’m reminded of this: your core doesn’t change. Your history is what built you,” she reflected.</p><p>While pageant fans often chase novelty and fresh narratives, Apriel pushed back against the idea of reinvention for the sake of approval. For her, growth isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about owning it.</p><p>“So no, I refuse to change my narrative just to please others. Because real pageant fans understand this: queens are not made by trends. They are built by experience, by resilience, and yes, even by their flaws. Your black-skinned Cebuana queen, fighting for the crown,” she concluded.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Taguig City – 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/1777871133515themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231372335040122_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Bella Ysmael, </strong>her letter was a heartfelt message directed to her younger self: “Who dreamed big but sometimes doubted herself, who wondered if she was enough, who just kept going anyway. Look at us now.”</p><p>She reflected on how those early aspirations and small, brave steps shaped her journey: “All those quiet dreams, all those little steps, all the moments you chose courage even when you were scared… they led you here. Tonight, we step onto the Miss Universe Philippines stage yet again. Not because the journey was easy, but because you never stopped believing that your dreams were worth chasing. No matter what happens, I hope you know this: You were always worthy of the life you dreamed of.”</p><p>Bella ended on a note, saying, “And the best part? We’re only just getting started.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Cebu Province – Nicole Borromeo</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/1777871150993themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231372678995691_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Nicole Borromeo</strong>, it was her close friend and fellow Cebuana beauty queen <strong>Gabbi Carballo </strong>who sent heartfelt wishes following the coronation night.</p><p>The <strong>Miss Philippines Eco International 2026</strong> titleholder expressed her pride, writing: “So proud of you. From watching you laugh hysterically after one hour of sleep to calls in a slight panic asking for prayers before big stage moments, I couldn’t be prouder watching you take THE @themissuniverseph stage with a big smile and your big heart.”</p><p>Nicole responded with equal warmth, saying:
“I honestly can’t imagine this journey without you Gab, from the last minute packing to the mini Bible studies, you were my constant. Thank you for holding my hand through it all and reminding me who I am when everything felt overwhelming. I love you always!!”</p><p>Meanwhile, ahead of the coronation night, the beauty queen also released her latest single titled <strong>“GOLD</strong>.<strong>”</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Pampanga – Allyson 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/1777871168775themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231371890441756_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Allyson Hetland</strong>, the heartfelt letter she received ahead of the coronation night came from her makeup artist, <strong>Mak Tabuzo</strong>, who stood by her side throughout her Miss Universe Philippines 2026 journey.</p><p>In his message, he shared:
“I never expected to be part of your Miss Universe journey, yet here I am, witnessing a dream you turned into reality. I saw your highs and lows, the strength behind your smile, and the battles you fought quietly. And now, it’s coronation day. No matter the result, you will always be our queen. Keep dreaming, because we believe in you endlessly,” he said.</p><p>Allyson, in turn, expressed her gratitude, replying:
“I love u mowm. Words cant express how grateful i am for everything you’ve done for me and team Pampanga.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Sultan Kudarat – Jenrose Javier</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/1777871190146themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231371647172537_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Jenrose Javier,</strong> the moments leading up to coronation night became a time of reflection as she looked back on the long journey that brought her to the Miss Universe Philippines stage.</p><p>She shared,
“This @themissuniverseph journey has changed me in the most beautiful ways. I have learned to trust myself, embrace my voice, and rise stronger after every challenge. I may be chasing a crown, but the greatest reward has been becoming a better version of myself. ”</p><p>Jenrose went on to emphasize that her fight was bigger than herself, dedicated to her province, Sultan Kudarat, her family, her dreams, and the Miss Universe Philippines crown.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Tarlac – Marian Arellano</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/1777871209153themissuniverseph_1777733323_3888231372720961216_11834133867.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @themissuniverseph</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Marian Arellano</strong>, her letter looked back to a week before the coronation night, when she took time to honor her family by writing letters to her loved ones.</p><p>She shared a heartfelt message for her second mother, saying,
“To my second mother, my Tita Marissa, thank you for being there every step of the way. To my titas and titos from the Arellano and Dela Cruz families, thank you for your constant love and support.”</p><p>Marian then turned emotional as she spoke about her real mother:
“And to my mama, working tirelessly abroad, I carry your love with me in everything I do. I hope that one day, you’ll be there, watching me on stage. Thank you for lifting me, believing in me, and keeping me grounded through it all.”</p><p>The beauty queen then concluded by expressing how deeply she is willing to fight, not just for the crown, but for her family and for the dream of bringing the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 title back to her hometown, Tarlac.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@bellaysmael @aprielsmith</strong></p><div></div>

<p>Here’s a look at a heartfelt moment from the competition: the personal letters the Miss Universe Philippines 2026's Top 7 wrote to themselves before coronation night.</p>

Here’s a look at a heartfelt moment from the competition: the personal letters the Miss Universe Philippines 2026's Top 7 wrote to themselves before coronation night.