Kimberky de Boer

 Curacao wins RH 2026 crown, PH in Top 13

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Kimberly de Boer of Curacao bested 27 other delegates to win the Reina Hispanoamericana 2026 title. Outgoing queen Dia Mate from the Philippines crowned the latest titleholder with the newly-crafted Alejandro Arraiz crown. Kimberly was also named Favoritas de Missologos earlier in the evening.

Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2025 Francesca Beatriz McLelland, who aimed for.a back-to-back victory after Dia Mate, placed in the Top 13 but did not advance to the Top 8.

Maria Isabel Otero of Colombia, the other delegate of the last two standing, was declared Virreina Hispanoamericana 2026. Criselys Garcia of the Dominican Republic was 1st runner-up.

The members of the royal court in descending order were:

- Melissa Payro, Mexico (2nd runner up)

- Tiffany Gonzalez, Puerto Rico (3rd runner up)

- Camila Chacon, Peru (4th runner up)

- Emely Barile, Venezuela (5th runner up), and

- Luz Gonzalez, Nicaragua (6th runner up)

Aside from McLelland, the other delegates who made it to the semifinal round were:

- Eugenia Redin, Bolivia

- Malayika Kwizera, Canada

- Ami Ocampo Salgado, Ecuador (Best National Costume), and

- Anayansi Cristel, Panama (who won an automatic placement as Peoples Choice awardee)

Though unplaced, Ariday Villar of Cuba was voted by her co-candidates as Miss Friendship.

Two new countries, France and India, debuted in the pageant. Next year, the RH organization will open the pageant to all other countries who want to support the Latin heritage and culture, whether or not they were under Spanish influence and rule.

Hosted by Daniel Dueñas and Grisel Quiroga, with Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Jasmine Omay, the 2026 Reina Hispanoamericana coronation night was beamed live to a global audience from Sta. Cruz, Bolivia through the Promociones Glorias channel on YouTube.