NAIA Terminal 1 was practically in pandemonium last Nov. 5 at around 4 p.m. And no, it wasn’t just another busy afternoon at the airport. It was the unmistakable kick-off of the Miss Universe season in the Philippines.
There was screaming, cheering, camera flashes, banners, waving flags, excited fans, paparazzi and an overwhelming display of national pride as Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski made her much-anticipated final liyad walk on Philippine soil before flying to Puerto Rico for the 75th Miss Universe pageant.
If there is one thing Filipinos know how to do, it is send their beauty queens off with a celebration worthy of royalty. This time, Bea certainly got the royal treatment that she deserved after months of hard work.
Dressed in a striking all-yellow ensemble with inabel details, the beauty queen arrived in high spirits and high fashion, looking every bit the woman ready to take on the Miss Universe stage. But beyond the cameras, the glamorous outfit carried a message that was particularly meaningful to her.
“I’m wearing the color of friendship and of unity and joy,” Bea shared, explaining the significance of her ensemble. She also pointed out the turtle-inspired detail, which she described as a pawikan, a nod to her environmental advocacy in her hometown in La Union.
It was a thoughtful way to introduce the kind of representation she hopes to bring to the competition. It’s one that goes beyond beauty and fashion and puts Filipino identity, values and causes on the spotlight.
The send-off itself was a spectacle. Supporters came out in full force, media outlets gathered to document the moment, and the atmosphere was reminiscent of the grand departures that have become part of the country’s annual pageant tradition with a slight bit more chaos.
For Bea, however, the magnitude of the occasion seemed to hit differently.
“I’ve never known the feeling of homesick until today,” she admitted, expressing her gratitude for the overwhelming love and support she received. She promised to do the country proud as she prepares to represent the Philippines on the international stage.
And that, perhaps, is what makes these send-offs so special.
For a beauty queen, the journey to Miss Universe may involve months of preparation, intensive training, styling sessions, interviews, fittings and countless hours, perfecting every detail. But the moment she steps into that airport, the competition becomes something bigger than an individual pursuit.
She carries the hopes, expectations and dreams of millions of Filipinos, who will be watching from home for her to take home the fifth Miss Universe title.
Bea is certainly not traveling light, though. The queen revealed that she was bringing nine suitcases to Puerto Rico, with much of the luggage dedicated to her high-fashion wardrobe.
And these aren’t just clothes intended to make a statement onstage. They are also an opportunity to showcase Filipino creativity and craftsmanship.
“I’m really thinking of Miss Universe and the opportunity to put Filipino fashion at the forefront and to show representations of our culture through high fashion couture,” she explained.
This is an exciting direction, especially at a time when international pageantry has increasingly become a platform for cultural storytelling. The right outfit can communicate history, heritage, artistry and identity without saying a single word. With this, Bea is working closely with designer Anthony Ramirez.
For a country with such a rich fashion tradition, the opportunity to introduce Filipino designers and creative talent to a global audience is something worth celebrating.
And if Bea succeeds in bringing Filipino artistry into conversations beyond our shores, then those nine suitcases will have carried more than couture. They will have carried a piece of home.
Of course, the Miss Universe competition is never just about the wardrobe.
Filipino pageant fans are famously particular when it comes to the fundamentals: the walk, the stage presence, the confidence, the interview skills and, perhaps most importantly, the question-and-answer portion that can make or break a candidate’s chances.
Fortunately, Bea has been putting in the work.
Her preparation has included sharpening her question-and-answer skills and refining her pasarela, two areas that remain essential in a competition where a candidate must command attention both onstage and in front of a panel of judges.
But having interviewed Bea before, I can say that one thing worth noting is how comfortable she is embracing her Filipino side, even when the questions are thrown at her in our own language.
You can also see how she tries so hard to speak and learn it.
In one of our previous conversations, I asked her what Filipino values her mother had instilled in her. Her answer? Something many Filipinos would probably proudly claim as their own.
“Being kuripot!” she answered with a laugh.
Bea went on to share that she used to take motorcycle taxis almost everywhere to save money, especially during a fuel crisis. Unfortunately, she can no longer use the motorcycle-hailing service, but she continues to find other ways to be practical, including cooking at home.
It was an amusing yet revealing exchange. Amid all the glamour, designer outfits and international pageant preparations, here was a beauty queen talking about something so relatable to everyday Filipinos: being mindful of expenses and knowing how to make money go further.
And isn’t that Filipino enough?
We often talk about the values that define us as a people: resilience, hospitality, generosity and resourcefulness. But sometimes, it is the little things, like finding ways to save on everyday expenses or choosing to cook at home, that tell an equally authentic story of how we were raised.
For someone about to represent the country before an international audience, these little glimpses into her personality matter. They remind us that beyond the beauty queen, the polished answers and the high-fashion wardrobe is a woman who carries familiar Filipino sensibilities with her.
Still, what also stood out during our conversation was her perspective on the competition itself.
Rather than viewing Miss Universe as a battle against other women, Bea sees it as an opportunity to connect.
“I’m excited. I don’t necessarily think of it as a fight but as an opportunity to connect with women all over the world, to promote and to see an opportunity to promote what diplomacy looks like,” she said.
It is an interesting take, and one that reflects how modern pageantry continues to evolve.
Yes, the crown remains the ultimate prize. The competition will undoubtedly be intense. And yes, Filipinos will be scrutinizing every appearance, every answer and every step of Bea’s journey.
But there is also something refreshing about approaching the experience with the intention of building connections, sharing advocacies and representing one’s country through meaningful conversations.
After all, a Miss Universe titleholder is not simply a woman who wins a competition. She becomes a global representative, a public figure and a voice that can potentially bring attention to causes that matter.
For Bea, environmental awareness, cultural representation and the value of international friendship appear to be central to the story she wants to tell.
And now, the countdown officially begins.
The 75th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled for Nov. 24 in Puerto Rico, where some of the world’s most beautiful and accomplished women will compete for one of the most coveted titles in international pageantry.
For Philippine pageant followers, this is that familiar time of the year when conversations suddenly revolve around preliminary competitions, national costumes, evening gowns, swimsuit presentations, interviews, predictions and endless discussions about who has the strongest chances of bringing home the crown.
It is practically a national pastime.
There is something uniquely Filipino about this collective excitement. Our support for our representatives is rarely confined to the competition itself. We celebrate their victories, defend them through criticism, encourage them through setbacks and make sure they know that an entire country is behind them.
I have witnessed many of these moments throughout my years covering the entertainment and pageant industries. Every Miss Universe season brings a different personality, a different story and a different kind of excitement.
But every send-off has one thing in common: the emotional weight of a Filipina carrying the Philippine flag onto an international stage.
And Bea’s airport departure was a reminder of just how much that moment means.
The yellow ensemble, the nine suitcases, the pawikan-inspired detail and the promise to showcase Filipino fashion are all part of the story she is taking with her.
But perhaps her most important accessory is something that cannot be packed into luggage: the love and confidence of the Filipino people.
So Puerto Rico, get ready. The Philippines has sent its queen.