Cebuana beauty queens gear up for MUP 2026

Local

FOR Cebuana beauty queens Nicole Borromeo and Apriel Smith, beauty is more than crowns—it’s resilience, purpose, and advocacy.

This year, they will represent Cebu at Miss Universe Philippines 2026, carrying pride and their personal stories to the national stage.

Despite the absence of a local pageant this year, its local director, Irma Payod-Bitzer, appointed Borromeo and Smith as Cebu’s official representatives.

Borromeo will compete for Cebu Province, while Smith will represent Cebu City.

Borromeo earned the right to compete internationally after winning Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 and went on to represent the Philippines at Miss International 2023 in Tokyo, Japan, finishing third runner-up.

She also won Miss Silka Cebu 2017, Sinulog Festival Queen 2019, and Miss Millennial Philippines 2019.

Smith, the first-ever Binibining Cebu in 2017, reached the Top 16 in Miss Universe Philippines 2020, placed in the Top 15 in Binibining Pilipinas 2016, and previously won titles including Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Miss Dumanjug, and Miss Cebu City Olympics.

The queens were officially presented during the sashing ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Nustar Resort and Casino.

They were crowned by last year’s winner, Gabbi Carballo, who placed in the Top 6 nationally and was later appointed Miss Eco International Philippines. Carballo will represent the country in Egypt this May.

At the press conference, both queens shared personal reflections on their journeys and advocacies.

Smith, currently working abroad, said her experience as an OFW allowed her to reflect, gain perspective, and return to the pageant stage with renewed purpose.

“After six years, why not come back on stage? The pandemic gave me the time to think and learn from myself,” she said.

She also discussed how sports shaped her confidence and teamwork skills while helping her overcome experiences of bullying.

“Because of teamwork and camaraderie in volleyball, I gained confidence. I want to show everyone that no matter what people see you as, don’t let them bring you down. Stand up for yourself. Know your self-worth, and no one can beat you down,” she said.

Smith played varsity volleyball in high school for Abellana National School and continued in college for the University of San Carlos.

She plans to promote sports as a tool for confidence-building, teamwork, and self-worth through her pageant advocacy.

Borromeo highlighted both her past volunteer work and current advocacy as her edge.

When Borromeo competed in Binibining Pilipinas, she aimed to highlight the housing situation in the Philippines, a country frequently struck by storms, and to showcase her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.

For this pageant, she plans to focus on another aspect of her life that is close to her heart, which is mental health awareness.

"I hit my rock bottom not too long ago, and I was really lucky to have the right people around me to help me express myself, not just talking it out, but even putting it down on paper. Sometimes people don’t have the words to express what they’re feeling. In my case, it was through art," she added.

Borromeo added that her current advocacy includes conducting art therapy sessions for soldiers experiencing trauma and PTSD.

She emphasized that individuals are not limited by negative mindsets or self-doubt, and that they are not defined by their pain or hardships, but have the potential to overcome challenges and fully embrace life.

During the sashing ceremony, the queens also received special awards from sponsors.

Smith was named Miss KBDF, Miss Skin 911 Premiere, Miss Goodluck Hot Pot, and Miss Ph Care, while Borromeo earned Miss Winzen Cafe, Miss Skin 911 Medical, Miss Gandang Myra E, and Miss Rose Pharmacy, reflecting strong community and sponsor support.

Payod-Bitzer welcomed the queens into one Cebu “family” and emphasized that they are “not competitors, but partners,” representing Cebu City and Cebu Province with their unique stories, identities, and strengths.

“Grace in adversity, resilience in hardship, compassion in service, and excellence in purpose,” she said, outlining the qualities expected of a Cebuana beauty queen.

In recent years, Cebuanas who have earned the Miss Universe Philippines title include Beatrice Luigi Gomez, who placed in the Top 5 at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Israel in 2021, and Gazini Ganados, a Top 20 semifinalist who also won the Best in National Costume award at the 68th edition in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2019.

The reigning Miss Universe Philippines is Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, who was named 3rd runner-up at the international pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand.(MyTVCebu)