Puksaan 2026

 The “most likely” contenders to place from MUPh 2026 lineup

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Returnees and crossover queens, as well as newcomers, will fight tooth and nail in the forthcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2026.

Touted as another tight race, this “sagupaan” edition have supporters’ heads reeling with excitement.

This early, a few standouts have been named as frontrunners and dark horses.

They are:

Bea Millan Windorski (La Union) – Crowned Miss Earth Water 2024 representing the USA, she’s now focusing her sights on the national Universe title.

Bella Ysmael (Taguig) – A near-winner in 2020, she had a Top 2 moment with Rabiya Mateo during the maiden edition of Miss Universe Philippines. Observers say she’s back for what she aimed for the last time.

Roxie Baeyens (Baguio) – Dabbling on the entertainment scene after crowned Miss Earth Water 2020, she represented Baguio and then the country during the pageant’s first online competition due to the global pandemic.

Ashley Subijano Montenegro (Luisiana, Laguna) – Competed in the Miss World Philippines 2023 pageant and won the Miss Eco Philippines 2023 title. She competed in the Miss Eco International 2023 in Egypt and placed in the Top 21.

Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province) – Won Binibining Pilipinas International in 2022 and placed as 3rd runnet-up at the Miss International 2023 in Tokyo.

Imelda Schweighart (Aklan) – Crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2016 but unplaced at the Miss Earth finals, this titleholder knows what it’s like to compete on the national stage.

On the other hand, there are a few considered by pundits to be ‘under the radar’ for the time being; waitung for their time to shine. These include:

Allyson Hetland (Pampanga) – This statuesque Kapampangan model is turning heads this early.

Ma. Fatima Alsowyed (Negros Oriental) – Fatima was crowned Miss Bikini Philippines in 2015 and has since dreamt of competing again on the national stage.

Jacqueline Gulrajani (Tacloban) – The beauteous Viva artist will be representing Leyte’s capital city in rhe May finals.

April Smith (Cebu City) – Crowned Binibining Cebu in 2017, she was part of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and placed in the Top 16. Went on to join other local pageants after that.

Sadly, even before the competition has began, there was a withdrawal. Cristela Longey of Benguet province has officially left the pageant, citing lack of financial support as main reason.

Financing is so much a part of a candidate’s pageant journey, especially in the MUPh competition where every challenge is seen as ‘cut-throat.’

The best of luck to this year’s batch of aspirants, especially to the lucky one who’ll represent the Philippines in the historic Diamond (75th) anniversary edition.

The 2026 official delegates will all be formally introduced during the Press Presentation right after Valentine's weekend on Feb 16.