'Chosen by my chosen home': Windorski addresses citizenship issues

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MANILA, Philippines — Newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski is happy and proud to represent the nation, calling the Philippines her "chosen home."

Bea was the guest on the May 6, 2026 episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," just a few days after she was named the new national titleholder to succeed Ahtisa Manalo.

The beauty queen looked back at the coronation night and admitted to "disassociating a little" when she was announced the winner, only realizing that she won the crown after being informed by fellow contestant Allyson Hetland of Pampanga.

"All the emotions just started pouring out because, as a girl who grew up not really feeling I belonged anywhere, to finally feel chosen by the Philippines — my chosen home — was a really a full circle moment for me," Bea said.

The Filipino-American believed any of the seven finalists would have made a suitable winner having heard all but Jenrose Javier of Sultan Kudarat's response during the Question and Answer segment.

She described each answer as a reflection of who they were as a woman, adding that it was ultimately the jury's decision to pick a winner based on their criteria.

Bea revealed that she was inspired by Apriel Smith of Cebu City's performance during the whole pageant, praising her grace representing the Philippines internationally as a migrant worker and hopefully will do the same as a beauty queen.

Boy then brought up talks of some questioning Bea's citizenship and the titleholder clarified that she has always been a Filipino because her mother registered her birth with the Philippine Embassy in the United States.

The new titleholder also referenced Republic Act No. 9225, the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, where as an individual born to a Filipino parent/s she can re-acquire citizenship since her birth was registered.

Additionally upon moving to the Philippines, Bea underwent the long process to obtain her Philippine passport because while she keeps her dual citizenship documents around, the passport is needed for errands like opening a bank account or getting a National ID.

Bea shared she has been living in the Philippines for well over a year now but has been visiting the country since childhood. She also has a permanent residence in San Juan, La Union, where her maternal grandparents live since she was born.

"That's why I felt I was lucky to grow up in two homes, both here and in the United States," Bea added.

Boy also noted what others have said about Bea representing the United States and winning the Miss Earth Water 2024 crown. She is the first Filipino-American to hold the title. 

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Apparently Bea's mom had signed her up for that pageant without telling her because at the time Bea was still focusing on finishing college and law school applications.

"I was like '[Pageantry] is not my thing, I'm not gonna try very hard, I won't win the pageant,'" Bea recalled. "If one day I feel called to pageantry, I'll join again in the Philippines kasi that's really where my heart is."

Bea got emotional while looking back at her Question and Answer response, pointing out her work done to represent the Philippines, such as joining her school's Asian Student Union and participating in "Stop Asian Hate" protests.

The new Miss Universe Philippines 2026 said she espoused for these advocacies in order to "live up to the legacy" of her lola and mom who sacrificed a lot.

Bea also addressed criticisms that she is performative and an opportunist. Looking at it from her perspective as a Filipino who grew up abroad, Bea said that she has been trying to be enough for herself and "the younger Bea who was proud to be Filipina [yet] rejected by Americans and Filipinos at home."

"I've fought so hard to carve out a place where I feel like I belong. That's why winning the crown was so emotional, I've worked so hard to pick the Philippines as my home," Bea said, holding back tears. "By winning this crown, I feel like the Philippines has finally picked me."

Bea now begins her preparations for the diamond edition of Miss Universe taking place in Puerto Rico later this year where she hopes to win the Philippines' fifth title. — Video from GMA Network's YouTube channel

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