Making History: Ana Santos’s Journey to Miss Asia Pacific International 2026

Brazil is aiming for a highly anticipated back-to-back victory at Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 in the Philippines. Stepping up to the challenge is Ana Santos, a woman making history as the very first candidate from Tocantins to represent her country on this stage.

In an exclusive interview with us, Ana opened up about the unique pressure of following a victory. "Trying to reproduce someone else's winning journey would be a mistake," she explained. Instead, she is focusing on bringing the vibrant, diverse culture of the Cerrado and the Tocantins River to the international audience.

Her preparation goes far beyond the catwalk. She is deeply focused on emotional maturity, drawing inspiration from the Brazilian book Antes da Coroa - Disciplina, Liderança e Legado. For Ana, the crown is not the start of the journey, but the consequence of discipline and leadership.

"Sometimes, being the first simply means making sure you are not the last," she noted about her historic representation.

Want the full story?

Read the complete, unfiltered 15-question Q&A—where Ana discusses mental health, her 'Beauty in Diversity' advocacy, and her message to the global pageant community—in the upcoming print edition of Inside Pageant.