Tovic Salvador

Curacao clinched the crown at the Reina Hispanoamericana 2026, as Philippine bet Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland fell short of defending the country’s reign after failing to secure a spot in the Top 8 on Sunday, February 22 (PHT).

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Marilag Odtohan

<p>MANILA — Curacao clinched the crown at the Reina Hispanoamericana 2026, as Philippine bet Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland fell short of defending the country’s reign after failing to secure a spot in the Top 8 on Sunday, February 22 (PHT).</p><p>Kimberly de Boer of Curacao was crowned the new queen, besting 27 other delegates in the pageant at the grand finals held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. </p><p>She now carries the pageant’s mission of promoting Hispanic culture around the world.</p><p>Other winners include: </p><ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Marta Isabela Otero Blanco (Colombia) - Virreina (Vice-Queen)</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Criselyns Garcia (Dominican Republic) - Primera Finalista (1st runner-up)</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Melissa Payro (Mexico) - Segunda Finalista (2nd runner-up)</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Tiffany Gonzales (Puerto Rico) - Tercera Finalista</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Camila Beatriz Chacon Galvarez (Peru) - Cuarta Finalista)</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Emely Francesca Barile (Venezuela) - Quinta Finalista</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p>Luz Gonzales (Nicaragua) - Sexta Finalista</p></li></ul><p>The Philippines’ Beatriz bowed out of the competition after failing to advance to the Top 8, ending her journey with a Top 13 finish. She was among the 13 delegates who advanced after the swimsuit and evening gown segments.</p><p>During the swimsuit round, Beatriz sizzled in a two-piece ensemble, radiating confidence with every strut. She turned up the drama in the evening gown segment, gliding out in a serene blue frock before revealing an orange gown underneath—drawing cheers from supporters.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0W6UJsYSUuym8E4Wh5QSSdqB4nYvHi6KzCa3Ubkz9BTfAJ1TfnMLHdSDrrEx56JNxl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="714" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>The 23-year-old beauty queen is no stranger to the spotlight. A seasoned pageant veteran,she made waves by being hailed as third runner-up and Miss Intercontinental at the 2019 Miss Teen International pageant in India and later earned a first runner-up finish at the 2022 Miss Eco Teen International pageant held in Egypt.</p><p>Earlier in the competition, Beatriz showcased her national costume designed by Renel Suarez, a tribute to the first “Queen of the Manila Carnival” Pura Villanueva-Kalaw—paying homage to Philippine pageant history.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02z2iEh6ngmw3w1gJwo7UFMnFP8GmrNbPyDoWmitsrQds8TU4foNqV5AAQ4ububpT7l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="790" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Beatriz’s run adds another layer to the Philippines’ storied participation in the Latina-dominated tilt, where Pinay beauties have consistently made an impact since the country’s debut in 2017.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771737945082639139354_1429748919200360_6220279999875006493_n.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Winwyn Marquez brought home the first crown in that same year, while Dia Maté secured the title in 2025.</p><p>Though the Philippines’ reign has come to an end, Beatriz’s Top 13 finish underscores the country’s continued strength and presence in the Reina Hispanoamericana’s global stage.</p><p>Indeed, Gandang Pinay continues to shine brightly beyond borders—resilient, radiant, and always ready to captivate the world.</p>

<p>Curacao clinched the crown at the Reina Hispanoamericana 2026, as Philippine bet Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland fell short of defending the country’s reign after failing to secure a spot in the Top 8 on Sunday, February 22 (PHT).</p>

Curacao wins Reina Hispanoamericana 2026; PH bet Beatriz Mclelland concludes with Top 13 finish

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Curacao wins Reina Hispanoamericana 2026; PH bet Beatriz Mclelland concludes with Top 13 finish

Marilag Odtohan

Published February 22, 2026 01:46 PM PHT

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Updated February 22, 2026 04:07 PM PHT

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Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland

Beauty Queen

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Reina Hispanoamericana

Philippines

Gandang Pinay

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