Nicole Borromeo enjoyed support of Japan-based Filipinos in Miss International stint

Nicole Borromeo. Image: Instagram/@thejcsphotos via @nicole.borrome

TOKYO, Japan—Whenever Binibining Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo appeared onstage at the 61st Miss International pageant, she was greeted by loud cheers, with a significant number of people in the crowd valiantly waving the Philippine flag and proudly screaming “Philippines!” at the top of their lungs, the country’s name reverberating inside the large stadium.

The beauty queen and her family appreciated the support, and expressed their gratitude to all the people who rallied behind the Cebuana beauty, who finished as third runner-up in a field of 70 women who competed for the title at the Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo on Oct. 26. Andrea Rubio from Venezuela captured the coveted title, which gave her country its ninth victory in the global tilt.

“When I was standing on stage, I felt really good seeing my family. And I could see people carrying the Philippine flag in the audience. It was a wonderful experience, no regrets,” Borromeo told INQUIRER.net in an interview at the Yoyogi Gymnasium right after the coronation show.

Miss International third runner-up Nicole Borromeo (front) smiles at the crowd. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Her mother, Joanne, also expressed gratitude to Borromeo’s followers. “Thank you for your support up to now. Even if the fight is over, you still support her,” she told INQUIRER.net at the gymnasium’s audience seating area, where she was joined by other family members.

The Borromeo matriarch also said that she is happy with her daughter’s third runner-up finish. “Congratulations! I’m happy, we’re proud of her, with or without a crown,” she said. Members of the Filipino community in Japan approached her at the end of the show to congratulate her.

Borromeo, for her part, said, “I hope I made you guys proud. Top five was a big, big, big achievement. We made it here. Please do support whatever I plan on doing next,” she said.

“I think I’m the only Asian country to make it to Top 5 this year, and it’s a big achievement for the Philippines. And I felt a lot of support coming here, even though it’s been over a year of waiting, right?” said Borromeo, who earned the right to represent the country in the Miss International competition more than a year ago in the 2022 Bb. Pilipinas pageant.

Borromeo also cited the overwhelming support she received for the online voting, which propelled her to the top of the Asia-Pacific region in two partial tabulations. The pageant did not announce yet who secured the most votes, but the winners of the online poll in the three groups earned slots in the Top 15.

She may have missed the throne by just a few steps, but Borromeo said, “I’m really proud of the performance.” She impressed the crowd and online viewers with her beauty and brilliance. Her fellow Bb. Pilipinas queen Nicole Cordoves said on X (formerly Twitter), “Goosebumps, Nicole Borromeo! [Philippine flag emoji] Grabe ang glow!”

Borromeo also earned praises for her answer to a rather difficult question in the final round of the competition. When asked what she has done to help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) by 2030, she replied: “As someone who experienced the wrath of natural disasters, home is everything. I’ve worked tirelessly with Habitat for Humanity under the SDG Goal of number 11, sustainable cities and communities. It is through this volunteer work that I could see in the face of the children how much they wanted to help, how much they wanted to be a part of the future. Because when it comes to sustainability, we must keep in mind that it’s not only for the next generation, but to include them in the process.”

Borromeo’s run in the competition has also made her even more proud to call herself Filipino. “You know, whenever we would have rehearsals, or when we’re called to go somewhere, they go like ‘Philippines! Philippines!’ I’m just, ‘that’s me. I’m here.’ I’m not just Nicole Borromeo, I’m not just Cebu, I’m Philippines. I feel so proud to be wearing that sash,” she shared.

“There’s so much to be proud of in our country. When we had a little headshot, there’s a description. In my description, I mentioned the Sinulog Festival and how I was a festival queen. I was so proud of that because I feel like that embodies the Filipino culture, right? We have the people, we have the strong faith, and the festival. We’re grand and warm, happy people,” she continued.

Borromeo will be staying in Japan with Rubio and the other runners-up for a few more days to make official appearances for the Miss International pageant.