Nicole Borromeo Returns to Pageantry as Miss Universe Cebu 2026 Contender After Calamity-Led Appointment

Key facts

• Nicole Borromeo, 24, is a Filipino model and beauty queen from Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
• She was third runner-up at Miss International 2023 and won Binibining Pilipinas-International 2022.
• Borromeo will represent Cebu province in Miss Universe Philippines 2026, with Apriel Smith representing Cebu City.
• Cebu organizers appointed both delegates after opting not to hold a competition due to recent calamities in the Visayas province.
• Local franchise owner Irma Bitzer said they chose candidates 'really rooted in Cebu' who 'represent us with a heart.'
• Missosology ranks Borromeo third in its final hot picks for MUPh 2026, behind Bea Millan-Windorski and Allyson Hetland.
• The coronation night is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, where Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor.

A Return to the Stage Amid Adversity

Nicole Borromeo, the 24-year-old model and beauty queen who placed third runner-up at Miss International 2023, is re-entering the pageant arena as a candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2026. She will represent Cebu province, a role she secured not through a traditional competition but by appointment after local organizers decided to forgo a pageant due to recent calamities that struck the Visayas region. Borromeo, born in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, has a long history in pageantry, having won titles such as Miss Cebu City Olympics 2016, Sinulog Festival Queen 2019, and Binibining Pilipinas-International 2022. Her return comes at a time when the Miss Universe Philippines organization is preparing for its coronation night on May 2.

How the Appointment Came About

Cebu organizers, led by local franchise owner Irma Bitzer, decided not to hold a competition for this year's edition because of the recent calamities that affected the province. Instead, they appointed Borromeo to represent Cebu province and Apriel Smith to represent Cebu City. Both were sashed and crowned by Miss Universe Philippines - Cebu City 2025 Gabriella Carballo. Bitzer explained the selection criteria: 'We were checking those who were really rooted in Cebu. We wanted someone who knows Cebu well and represents us with a heart.' The decision underscores a strategic shift toward selecting delegates with deep local ties rather than relying on a competitive process.

Borromeo’s Pageant Pedigree and Recent Titles

Borromeo’s career includes a string of achievements: she was Miss Cebu City Olympics 2016, second runner-up at Miss Silka Philippines 2017, first runner-up at Miss Mandaue 2018, Sinulog Festival Queen 2019, and winner of Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 (though later dethroned). She also placed second runner-up at Miss Teen Philippines 2019, won Miss Millennial Philippines 2019, and was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International 2022. At Miss International 2023, held in Japan, she finished as third runner-up behind winner Angela Rubio of Venezuela. Borromeo also served as a judge for Miss Zamboanga del Sur 2023. Her educational background includes high school at Cebu Doctors’ University in Mandaue City and studies at the School of Architecture Fine Arts and Design of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

Rankings and Contenders for the Crown

Ahead of the coronation night, pageant prediction platforms have released their final hot picks. Missosology ranks La Union’s Bea Millan-Windorski, who was Miss Earth Water 2024, as the top contender, followed by Pampanga’s Allyson Hetland (Supranational) and Cebu Province’s Nicole Borromeo (Cosmo). Other contenders include Sultan Kudarat’s Jenrose Javier and Tacloban City’s Jacqueline Gulrajani. Sash Factor’s final 'sashpicks' also place Millan-Windorski first, with Borromeo second, followed by Muntinlupa’s Adela-Mae Marshall and Negros Occidental’s Alexandria Colmenares. These rankings indicate that Borromeo is considered a strong bet but faces stiff competition from Millan-Windorski, who is widely seen as the frontrunner.

The Stakes of the Coronation Night

The Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night on Saturday, May 2, will see outgoing titleholder Ahtisa Manalo hand over her crown to the next winner. The event marks a pivotal moment for Borromeo, who is seeking to add a national title to her resume after her international placement. For Cebu province, the appointment of Borromeo and Smith signals a commitment to representing local identity on a national stage. The decision to bypass a competition due to calamities also highlights the logistical and emotional challenges faced by pageant organizers in disaster-prone regions.

What Comes Next for Borromeo and the Competition

Borromeo will compete against delegates from across the Philippines, including top-ranked contenders like Millan-Windorski and Hetland. Her performance in the preliminary rounds and finals will determine whether she can surpass expectations and claim the crown. Regardless of the outcome, Borromeo’s return to pageantry reaffirms her status as a prominent figure in the Philippine beauty scene. Her journey from Cebu City to the international stage and back again underscores the resilience required to succeed in a field that demands both poise and perseverance.

The bottom line

• Nicole Borromeo, a Miss International 2023 third runner-up, is competing in Miss Universe Philippines 2026 representing Cebu province.
• She was appointed alongside Apriel Smith after Cebu organizers canceled the local competition due to recent calamities.
• Borromeo has an extensive pageant history, including wins at Binibining Pilipinas-International 2022 and Sinulog Festival Queen 2019.
• Pageant rankings place her third behind Bea Millan-Windorski and Allyson Hetland, but she is considered a strong contender.
• The coronation night is set for May 2, where Ahtisa Manalo will crown the new Miss Universe Philippines 2026.