Bella Ysmael
Birth nameMaria Ysabella Roxas Ysmael
Birth dateAugust 8, 1996 (age 30)
Alma materDe La Salle University (BA)
TitleMiss Cosmo Philippines 2026
Competitions
Relatives
OccupationBallerina · model

Maria Ysabella "Bella" Roxas Ysmael (born August 8, 1996) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Cosmo 2026 pageant.

She previously competed twice in Miss Universe Philippines in 2020 and 2026, reaching the finals in both stints.

Early life and education

Ysmael was born on August 8, 1996, to The Breed vocalist Charlie Ysmael and Ika Roxas.[1] Her family includes several personalities active in the entertainment industry; her grandmother is veteran actress Marita Zobel and her aunt is Margie Moran, the winner of Miss Universe 1973.[2][3] She has trained in ballet since the age of four and has explored other genres of dance, including contemporary ballet and hip-hop.[4] At the time of her first attempt in Miss Universe Philippines, she was part of the Hampton Court Ballet.[5]

Ysmael studied psychology at the De La Salle University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 2017.[1] While in university, she interned for Metro Magazine in 2015.[6] Afterward, she held corporate roles at Louis Vuitton Philippines and Salico PH.[1]

Pageantry

Early competitions

In 2014, Ysmael won Binibining Parañaque.[7] Later, in 2018, she competed in the fitness competition Century Tuna Superbods, where she placed first runner-up in the female category.[8][9]

Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Main article: Miss Universe Philippines 2020

At age 23, Ysmael entered the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines competition, representing Parañaque.[10] During the contest, publications including GMA News regarded her as a frontrunner for the title.[11]

For the preliminary competition, Ysmael competed in a gown designed by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One, a performance that would earn her the Best in Evening Gown award.[12][13] She would work with him again for her gown for the finals.[14]

Ysmael would go on to advance to the top 16, where she and her co-candidates were asked about how they can create a "positive and lasting impact". She shared the importance of authenticity, urging listeners to "proud of who you are".[15] She then progressed to the top five question-and-answer round, where the remaining delegates were asked two questions. She was first asked to describe a beauty queen to a child who has never seen a pageant, to which she emphasized the humanity of a beauty queen over her physical attributes.[16] In the follow-up question, all finalists were asked about the role of pageants during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her response, she noted the role of pageants in Filipino culture and its positive impact among Filipinos.[16]

At the end of the event, she was first runner-up to Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City. Following the competition, she was named Ambassador for Arts and Culture.[5]

Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Main article: Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Following her debut stint, Ysmael expressed her openness in competing at Miss Universe Philippines in future editions.[17][18] While figures like Janine Tugonon, the winner of the 2012 contest, voiced her support for Ysmael, she did not return to the pageant until the 2026 edition, when the accredited partner of Taguig appointed her as their candidate for the competition.[19][20][21] Like her previous stint, publications named her as a frontrunner for the title.[22] She collaborated with Rian Fernandez for her gown for both the preliminary and final rounds, presenting an iridescent design for in the former and a white and gold design in the latter.[23][24]

Ysmael qualified for the top 30 through the selection committee' choices and progressed through the top 15 and top 7.[25] During the final question-and-answer round, she was asked about the importance of representing the Philippines on the global stage despite the citizens' frustration over their country.[26] In her response, she touted herself as a "representation of a Filipina who never gives up" and emphasized the resilience of her compatriots.[27]

She finished as a top 7 finalist, with Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union winning the competition.[28][29]

Miss Cosmo 2026

Main article: Miss Cosmo 2026

In May 2026, The Miss Philippines organization appointed Ysmael as Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026, allowing her to represent the country in Miss Cosmo 2026.[30]

Advocacies and causes

Ysmael identifies as a mental health advocate, drawing from her educational background in psychology.[7]

Personal life

Ysmael, together with her friend Summer Go, co-founded the ballet school Milota Ballet, where she has worked as a ballet instructor.[1][31][32] In 2025, she founded the sunglasses brand Ysle Society.[33]

References

  1. ^ Martinez, Lance Joseph (2026-05-12). "10 Things to Know About Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026 Bella Ysmael". Metro.style. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  2. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (2020-01-18). "Apo ng veteran actress, desididong sumali sa Miss Universe Philippines 2020". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  3. ^ "Margie Moran says Ysabella Ysmael is her Miss Universe Philippines 'champion'". GMA News Online. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  4. ^ Chee Kee, Raoul J. (2020-09-14). "How to get in shape like a beauty queen". Lifestyle Inquirer. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  5. ^ "Top 5 of Miss Universe PH 2020 now have official titles". ABS-CBN News. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  6. ^ Mendoza, Mylene (2020-10-27). "The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Winners and the Courses They Took in College". Candy Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  7. ^ Lo, Ricky (2020-03-04). "No such thing as ‘secret marriage’". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  8. ^ Teehankee, Pepper (2018-04-03). "Fit, Sexy & Ageless". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  9. ^ Villano, Alexa (2018-04-12). "FULL LIST: Winners of the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  10. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (2020-02-18). "IN PHOTOS: The 52 candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2020". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  11. ^ Malig, Kaela (2020-10-24). "Miss Universe Philippines 2020 bets Michele Gumabao, Ysabella Ysmael climb to top 3 in Missosology’s picks". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  12. ^ "Look: Margie Moran's niece slays in MUP 2020 evening gown segment". Philstar Life. 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  13. ^ "Miss Universe PH 2020 prelims: Who won which awards". ABS-CBN News. 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  14. ^ Sison, Steph (2020-10-25). "All of the Best Finale Evening Gowns from Miss Universe Philippines 2020". Preview.ph
  15. ^ Zinampan, Tristan (2020-10-25). "TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Top 16 Q&A". Rappler. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  16. ^ "TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Top 5 Q&A". Rappler. 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  17. ^ Epilepsia, Trina (2021-07-01). "Bella Ysmael’s Road To Self-Discovery During A Pandemic". Mega Asia. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  18. ^ "Ysabella Ysmael on her Miss Universe Philippines journey: 'This is not the end'". GMA News Online. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  19. ^ Quiño, Alex Salva (2023-01-17). "Janine Tugonon ‘bet’ si Bella Ysmael maging pambato ng MUP 2023". Balita. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  20. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (2026-02-02). "Bella Ysmael returns to pageantry as Miss Universe Philippines Taguig 2026". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  21. ^ Fernando, Jefferson (2026-01-31). "Back in the game: Bella Ysmael eyes new crown after six-year hiatus". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  22. ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (2026-05-02). "Miss Universe Philippines 2026: Bea Windorski, Bella Ysmael advance to Top 15". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  23. ^ "15 Standouts at Miss Universe Philippines 2026 preliminary evening gown competition". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  24. ^ Bravo, Frances Karmel S. (2025-05-02). "Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 7 evening gowns". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  25. ^ Baylon, Khryzztine Joy. "Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 30". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  26. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (2026-05-03). "FULL TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 winning answer". PEP. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  27. ^ "Transcript: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 7 Q&A". Metro.style. ABS-CBN News. 2026-05-02. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  28. ^ Iglesias, Iza (2026-05-02). "La Union’s Bea Millan-Windorski crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  29. ^ Wang, Nickie (2026-05-02). "Bea Millan Windorski wins Miss Universe Philippines 2026 crown". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  30. ^ Adina, Armin P. (2026-05-10). "Miss Universe PH 2026 finalists get The Miss Philippines crowns". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  31. ^ Adina, Armin P. (2026-01-31). "Bella Ysmael returns as Taguig’s Miss Universe Philippines 2026 bet". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  32. ^ "Standouts at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Preliminary Interview". Metro.style. ABS-CBN News. 2026-04-13. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  33. ^ Yap, Jade Veronique (2026-05-13). "Who is Bella Ysmael? Here are 5 things to know about Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-05-14.