CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Nicole Borromeo and Apriel Smith paused briefly when Steffi Aberasturi-Arcenas asked them about the biggest sacrifices they had to make in their bid for the Miss Universe Philippines title.
For Borromeo, who represented Cebu Province, it was distancing herself from the people who “didn’t have the same vision” as her. “I think it’s really important to surround yourself with people who see your future as bright as you do, instead of convincing them why it was your dream to begin with,” she said at their May 22 press conference at SM Seaside City.
“While it’s hard, you realize that there are more people out there who share that dream with you, who support you, even strangers who become friends. You open yourself up to all kinds of love and realize, I can do it as long as I have the right people around me.”
As for Smith, who represented Cebu City, it was putting aside her career as an overseas Filipino worker in Singapore, where she worked in a hotel assisting VIP guests. “I was flying in and out from Singapore to Manila during my first month. I had to fly back two times for a week just so I could go back to work, and during my day off, I was participating in the activities of Miss Universe Philippines,” she recalled.
She was grateful to her bosses for allowing her to dedicate time to MUPH. She said, “It was tough because working abroad, I had to not only sustain myself but also support my family. Sometimes, I had to set aside work to make my dream come true.”
The Cebuana beauty queens arrived back in Cebu over the weekend for their homecoming ceremony organized by Miss Universe Philippines Cebu, which started with a parade around Cebu City before stopping at SM Seaside City for the main event, which Aberasturi-Arcenas hosted.
During their thank-you speeches, Borromeo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her home province once again after previously competing internationally under Binibining Pilipinas. “It was a miracle that I ever got the chance to represent my hometown for the second time on the national stage,” she said.
She also thanked MUPH Cebu Director Irma Payod-Bitzer for her support throughout the three-month competition.
“There are days when you feel like giving up, but Ma’am Irms came in, and she made this miracle happen,” she said. “People see the glam, the photos, the crowns, but they don’t see the sacrifices that were being made. I am so blessed because I had people to remind me to keep going.”
Meanwhile, Smith thanked her pasarela coach, Antonio Gonzales, for helping shape her confidence onstage, saying, “He gave me the grace and confidence to perform well on stage. It made an impact on a lot of Filipinos because I was able to give them a good show.”
– The game plan –
At the coronation night of The Miss Philippines earlier this month, Borromeo was awarded the inaugural title of Miss Worldwide Philippines 2026, while Smith was named Miss Charm Philippines 2026.
Despite the mixed reactions from pageant fans online surrounding their titles, both ladies believe their assignments were part of “God’s plan” and an opportunity to carve their own paths abroad.
“I believe everything happens for a reason, and this redirection is a blessing,” said Smith, who initially aimed for the Miss Supranational Philippines title that eventually went to Allyson Hetland.
“I know some were expecting me to get another title, but I believe that God already planted the seeds for me. Being Miss Charm Philippines is a blessing for me,” she added.
Borromeo further said, “I did get messages from concerned people telling me that they haven’t heard of this. But I didn’t have any hesitation because I am happy that I got the chance to represent my country again.” She then cited her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 3:20, paraphrasing it as, “Whatever your biggest dreams are, God’s plans [for you] are greater than that.”
Both titlists will have nearly a year to prepare for their respective international pageants.
Reportedly set to take place this December in Vietnam, Miss Charm has yet to crown a Filipina winner – a feat that Smith hopes to achieve for the country. She hopes to build on the momentum she created during the MUPH 2026 finals by doubling down on her strengths and continuing to improve.
“Whatever performance I gave at the finals, I will do it better because the audience deserves a good show where they can see how I carry myself,” Smith said. “I’ll have to strategize with my team with a game plan so that we can aim to get the first Miss Charm crown for the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, Borromeo will represent the country alongside Jason Romeo Lopez at the inaugural edition of Mister and Miss Worldwide, scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2027.
Borromeo has already started immersing herself in the world of performing arts by attending a staging of Jesus Christ Superstar in Manila organized by GMG Productions, whose owner, Carlos Candal, also founded the pageant. She is also set to fly to New York City next month as part of her preparation.
“I get the chance to travel the world and be an arts and culture ambassador. I might have workshops since there are performing aspects involved, but all of that is still going to be finalized with the organization,” she said.
Since MUPH Cebu’s start in 2024, it has become an expectation that at least one Cebuana beauty queen would reach the Top 10. In 2024 and 2025, Kris Tiffany Janson and Gabbi Carballo secured top 10 placements in their respective years. In 2026, for the first time, two Cebuana candidates advanced to the Top 10 through Borromeo and Smith.
Additionally, Beatrice Luigi Gomez and Gazini Ganados were the last two Cebuanas to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe, in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Ganados is also among five Philippine candidates in the first MGI All-Stars, which will have its finals this June 30.
Asked about Cebu’s continued success in producing top-notch beauty queens, Smith said, “Cebu is known to produce beauty queens that are articulate, prim and proper, and very queenly. The support people give to Cebu queens is one of the factors why there is a boost of confidence and why we are able to carry ourselves on the national stage representing Cebu,” she said.
For Borromeo, Cebu’s strength lies in the hard work and heart that its people pour into everything they do. Using puso (hanging rice) as a metaphor, she reflected on how Cebuanos put patience, humility, and dedication into their work whenever they strive for something big.
“It takes a lot of work to make puso. When I tried doing it myself for my tourism video, I just kept spilling,” she recalled. “But I think it’s about having the heart to create that heart – the humility, the effort, and ultimately the heart to bring Cebu onto the national stage.”
| by Januar Junior Aguja / VAB
