By Prosper Mene
Filipino-Jamaican beauty queen Matea Mahal Smith has been crowned Miss Jamaica World 2026, earning the right to represent Jamaica at the Miss World 2027 competition in Tanzania.
Matea outshone 22 other contestants to win the national title at the finals held on November 1 at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium of Jamaica College in St. Andrew. She was crowned by outgoing queen Nevaeh Allen, who represented Jamaica at the 75th Miss World competition in Vietnam earlier this year.
Representing Aveeno, Matea was joined in the winning court by first runner-up Daniella Bullock of Haven Beauty House and second runner-up Celine Walters of Frazsiers Whip.
A Queen With Filipino and Jamaican Heritage
Born and raised in Florida, United States, Matea proudly embraces her multicultural roots. Her father, Seitu Smith, is a mathematics educator of Jamaican descent, while her mother, Mari Pantoja-Smith, is a Filipina nurse.
That dual heritage has made her pageant journey particularly meaningful to supporters in both Jamaica and the Philippines, where she previously competed in Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Academic Excellence and Advocacy
Beyond pageantry, Matea has built an impressive academic and humanitarian profile.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. A board-certified patient advocate, she is currently pursuing further studies at the University of New England as she works toward becoming a physician.
Central to her reign is her advocacy, “Love Always, Matea,” a charitable initiative she founded in 2022. The project supports children and young people dealing with illnesses, disabilities, and difficult life circumstances, with outreach in Jamaica, the Philippines, and the United States.
In Kingston, she also serves as an ambassador for Sophie’s Place Children’s Home, supporting children with disabilities and their caregivers.
Her humanitarian work also extended to disaster relief, where through a 5-kilometer fundraising initiative she helped raise approximately US$4,000 for communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, benefiting more than 100 families and individuals.
Strong Performance Throughout
Matea established herself as a frontrunner long before coronation night.
She won the Fitness Fast-Track Challenge at Emancipation Park, placed second in the Beach Beauty competition, and third in the Top Model challenge.
“I did it with the girls and they were cheering me on the entire way,” she told the Jamaica Observer.
From Manila to Kingston to Miss World
While her stint in Miss Universe Philippines 2024 did not end with a crown, it became a stepping stone to a bigger stage.
Two years later, Matea will now carry Jamaica’s hopes at Miss World 2027, while proudly embracing the Filipino roots that remain part of her identity.
Her victory is a story of perseverance, proving that an earlier setback can open the door to greater opportunities.
