Miss International third runner-up Nicole Borromeo with her family/NICOLE BORROMEO FACEBOOK PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Binibining Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo has continued to express her gratitude more than a week after finishing as third runner-up in the 2023 Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 26.
The Cebuana model and interior design student took to social media to impart her message to her family, who flew to Japan to watch her compete against 69 other international aspirants at the jam-packed Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward last month.
“‘My family, they’re here!’ I whispered to a fellow candidate with excitement as I stood on that stage, and caught a glimpse of them in the audience. It was the first time they watched my pageant together which made the experience even more special,” Borromeo said in her Facebook post.
INQUIRER.net was seated across her family inside the gymnasium, with just the aisle coming in between. Her mother Joanne spoke with the news organization after the show, and said, “congratulations! I’m happy, we’re proud of her, with or without a crown.”
Borromeo thanked her mom “for checking up on me and supporting me even when we’re apart.” Joanne, she said, was the first to gather the family whenever she would fly back from her training in Manila. “You’ve reminded me that I have a loving home in Cebu to return to,” the beauty queen shared.
She also thanked her father, Ed, “for being just a phone call away” and being her “anchor.” She also said he would dutifully pick her up, or bring her to the airport for her pageant preparations. “Our drives and dinners together have been my source of comfort,” Borromeo said.
She also considered as a “blessing” having her boyfriend Giles Benedicto in her life. “Thank you for always looking out for me, and supporting my dreams, and especially for flying in with [Enzo Benedicto] for this momentous occasion, meant more to me than words can express,” she continued.
Her grandparents Bobby and Janet also did not escape her thoughts. “Bringing the family to Japan to come watch me is something I will treasure for the rest of my life,” Borromeo said.
“To my entire family, I am so grateful for your love. You’ve encouraged me to seize every opportunity that comes my way. I love each one of you more than words can express,” she continued.
Borromeo’s Miss International stint came more than a year since capturing her Bb. Pilipinas title in July 2022. Before winning the national crown, she was proclaimed as 2017 Miss Silka Cebu, 2018 Miss Mandaue first runner-up, 2019 Sinulog Festival Queen, and 2019 Reyna ng Aliwan.
She also joined the 2019 Miss Teen Philippines pageant where she finished third, and was crowned as 2019 Miss Millennial Philippines in a segment for the noontime variety TV show “Eat Bulaga!”