For These Queens, This Isn’t Their First Time Competing in Miss Universe Philippines

Among this year’s batch of contestants are a handful of veterans who aren’t strangers to the national pageant stage.

By Rafael Bautista April 17, 2026

Woman in a shimmering pale mint gown with a deep plunging neckline stepping out of a metal vault door, one arm resting on the doorframe.

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One of the most common sayings in the world is that if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. But as cliché as it may sound, there is truth to it that can apply in many scenarios, including the world of pageantry. More often than not, there can only be one queen who takes home the crown, and there are those who take those losses and lessons learned as fuel for their later tries. Such is the case with the following Miss Universe Philippines 2026 delegates.

Among the 50 contestants participating this year, a handful have had experience of competing at a national pageant, with a couple of whom having been close to winning the crown. Some have already competed in Miss Universe Philippines, while others have experience on the international stage; however, all are vying for a crown that has eluded them in the past. Aside from the experience they bring, history has also shown that repeat candidates are successful in their subsequent attempts.

After finishing as second runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Ahtisa Manalo won the crown the following year. Michelle Dee placed first runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2022 before bagging the crown in the next year’s edition. Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey famously became Miss Universe Philippines on her third attempt for the title. With that, see the returning candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2026.

Portrait of a woman with dark hair in a sleek updo, wearing an off‑the‑shoulder navy dress with a pink neckline and dangling earrings, looking confidently at the camera.

Representing Taguig this year, Bella Ysmael is back for her second attempt at the Miss Universe Philippines crown. Her first try at the title came when she competed in the inaugural edition in 2020, then representing Parañaque City. Her efforts then nearly resulted in winning the crown, but she ultimately finished in the Top 2, losing to Rabiya Mateo.

Apriel Smith – An OG Is Back

Portrait of a woman in a red sequin belly-dance outfit with gold trim posing against a dark backdrop. — photo by GAREL SISON

Apriel Smith first made her mark on the national pageant stage as the first-ever title holder of the Binibining Cebu crown in 2017. But the morena beauty may be most famous for competing in the first edition of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant alongside Bella Ysmael. She ultimately ended her run in the Top 16, though the Cebu City representative is hoping her second try will yield better results.

Nicole Borromeo – From Miss International To Miss Universe

Model wearing a black haute-couture outfit with large wing sleeves, a patterned wrap skirt, and fishnet tights, posing. — photo by Jon Unson

This year, Cebu Province will be represented by a pageant veteran, Nicole Borromeo. She has multiple regional and national pageant experiences under her belt, but Borromeo’s most notable feat was when she was named Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 and placed third runner-up at Miss International 2023.

Bea Millan-Windorski – Earth Today, Universe Tomorrow

Woman in a royal blue, sleeveless dress with a fringe hem and high slit, standing in a dim hallway wearing black strappy heels. — photo by Philip Viktor

Regarded as one of this year’s frontrunners, Bea Millan-Windorski is no stranger to competing and even winning national pageants. At 21 years old, she made history as the first Filipino-American to win Miss Earth USA in 2024. She would later compete at Miss Earth 2024, where she was named Miss Earth Water. Now, the statuesque queen is back in the Philippines, this time representing her home of La Union at Miss Universe Philippines 2026.

Justine Beatrice Felizarta – Her Next Era

Woman in a white, elegant gown with a deep V neckline standing against a textured wall, hands at her sides, long dark hair styled straight. — photo by Greame Maliberan

Justine Beatrice Felizarta knows what it’s like to have a crown on her head. She earned her place in the local pageantry history books when she competed in Miss World Philippines 2022 and received the title of Miss World Philippines-Tourism. She would go on to represent the country at Miss Tourism World 2022, where she finished at a tantalizingly close 1st runner-up. Now back as Manila’s representative, Felizarta is hoping to recreate that success once more in Miss Universe Philippines.

Roxie Baeyens – A Comeback Six Years in the Making

Woman in a silver sequined evening gown with turquoise embellishments, wearing a jeweled crown and drop earrings, posing against a teal background. — photo by Seven Barretto

Before she became a Sparkle artist, Roxie Baeyens was a pageant veteran. She famously competed in and won Miss Earth Philippines 2020. Baeyens went on to represent the country at Miss Earth 2020, where she was given the title of Miss Earth Water 2020. Six years later, the Baguio City representative is back as she looks to add the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 title to her name.

Ashley Subijano Montenegro – A Familiar Face

Portrait of a woman with long dark hair wearing an off-shoulder orange feathered dress and teardrop earrings against a warm backdrop. — photo by JP Yu

Ashley Subijano Montenegro finds herself competing with her Miss World Philippines 2022 sister Justine Beatrice Felizarta once more, but this time for the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2026. The Luisiana, Laguna representative’s journey saw her win the Miss Eco Philippines crown and later represented the Philippines at Miss Eco International, where she finished in the Top 21.

Featured Image and Photos: BELLA YSMAEL (via Instagram), APRIEL SMITH (via Instagram), NICOLE BORROMEO (via Instagram), BEA MILLAN-WINDORSKI (via Instagram), JUSTINE BEATRICE FELIZARTA (via Instagram), ROXIE BAEYENS (via Instagram), ASHLEY SUBIJANO MONTENEGRO (via Instagram)