Francesca Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland channeled Filipina beauty queen and journalist Pura Villanueva-Kalaw, the first-ever Queen of the Manila Carnival, at the national costume competition of the 2026 Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia. The De La Salle University student from Aklan paraded in an all-white “Unang Reyna” (First Queen) ensemble created by Renel Suarez. The traje de mestiza featured a full ruffled layered mermaid skirt lined with pearls and crystal-encrusted floral patterns, and complemented by a tasseled panuelo. A silver-hued crown with a matching scepter, designed after the jewels worn by European royalties, completed the look. Mclelland sported a white wig […]... Keep on reading: Beatriz Mclelland channels Pura Villanueva-Kalaw at Reina Hispanoamericana 2026