Nicole Borromeo
Birth nameNicole Yance Borromeo
Birth dateDecember 9, 2000 (age 25)
Birth placeCebu City, Philippines
Alma materSoFA Design Institute
Height1.73 m
TitleBinibining Pilipinas International 2022
The Miss Philippines Worldwide 2026
Competitions

Nicole Yance Borromeo (nɪˈkoʊl boɾoˈmeo; born December 9, 2000) is a Filipino model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Binibining Pilipinas International 2022. She represented the Philippines at Miss International 2023, where she was the third runner-up. She will represent Cebu at Miss Universe Philippines 2026.

Early life and career

Nicole Yance Borromeo was born on December 9, 2000, in Cebu, Philippines. She is a native of Guadalupe, Cebu City.[1] Borromeo completed secondary education from Cebu Doctors' University in Mandaue.[1][2] She attended the University of San Carlos for a degree in interior design.[3][4]

In October 2024, she appeared in Paris Fashion Week, walking for Joseph Auren, Michael Cinco, and Leo Almodal.[5]

Pageantry

2017–2019: Local and teen pageantry

On October 14, 2017, Borromeo won Miss Silka Cebu 2017.[1][6] Her victory advanced her to the Miss Silka Philippines 2017 pageant, where she finished as the second runner-up.[7] The following year, she competed at Miss Mandaue 2018, where she placed as the first runner-up to Gabbi Carballo.[1][8]

During Sinulog in 2019, Borromeo was the festival queen of the Carcar contingent.[9] On January 18, she was crowned as the Sinulog Festival Queen of that year, becoming the second winner from Carcar.[6][8] As festival queen, she competed at the Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 pageant, where she won, marking her first national title.[10] However, she would be stripped of the title following her subsequent participation in other pageants.[11][12]

Borromeo represented Carcar at Miss Teen Philippines 2019, where she was the second runner-up to Nikki de Moura of Cagayan de Oro.[2][13] In August, she joined Miss Millennial Philippines 2019, a tourism beauty pageant segment of the Philippine reality show, Eat Bulaga!. After months of competition, she would be crowned as the winner on October 26, marking the second consecutive title for a candidate from Cebu.[6][14][15]

Binibining Pilipinas 2022

Main article: Binibining Pilipinas 2022

Borromeo represented Cebu at Binibining Pilipinas 2022.[16] For the national costume competition, she collaborated with Axel Que for a design inspired by the Sinulog.[17]

During the coronation night, she received one sponsor award.[18] Borromeo progressed to the top 12, and during the question-and-answer portion, she was asked to rate herself as a "responsible Filipino citizen" on a scale of one to ten. She rated herself an eight, recognizing her opportunities to improve and willingness to learn.[19]

At the end of the event, Borromeo was named Binibining Pilipinas International 2022, succeeding Hannah Arnold of Masbate.[20][21] Her announcement as the winner was subject to a delay, which prompted a dispute online over the validity of the results.[22][23] In response, judge Lara Quigaman and host Catriona Gray assured that the results were free from error.

Miss International 2023

Main article: Miss International 2023

Borromeo represented the Philippines at the Miss International 2023 competition on October 26, 2023.[20][21] She collaborated with Que again for the national costume competition, where she presented "Swaki", a sea urchin-inspired design with design cues from Yayoi Kusama.[24]

During the finals, Borromeo wore a Furne Amato gown inspired by Visayan sirens titled "Majestic Magindara".[25] She progressed to the semifinals, and later the top seven question-and-answer portion. In this segment, she was asked about her contributions in achieving the sustainable development goals. In her response, she highlighted her work with Habitat for Humanity and cited child welfare as her motivation for her participation in the initiative.[26]

Borromeo was the third runner-up to Andrea Rubio of Venezuela.[27][28]

Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Main article: Miss Universe Philippines 2026

On February 1, 2026, the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu organization appointed Borromeo and Apriel Smith as their delegates for Cebu and Cebu City, respectively, at Miss Universe Philippines 2026.[29] During the preliminary competition, she wore a silver Leo Almodal gown.[30] For the national costume competition, she wore a design by Art Don titled "Reyna sa Karagatan" (lit. 'Queen in the Seas') inspired by her province's place within the Coral Triangle.[31]

At the end of the competition, Borromeo had reached the top seven.[32] Following the coronation night held on May 2, 2026, Borromeo was appointed as the inaugural The Miss Philippines Worldwide by The Miss Philippines organization in a separate ceremony held on May 10, 2026, at the City of Dreams Manila.[33][34]

Miss Worldwide 2026

Borromeo will represent the Philippines at Miss Worldwide 2026.[34]

Personal life

Borromeo has been in a relationship with Giles Benedicto, a corporate executive at the BE Group.[35][36]

References

  1. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy (2019-03-26). "Nicole Borromeo is not just a pretty face". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  2. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy (2019-05-10). "Cebuana Nicole Borromeo is second runner-up in Miss Teen Philippines". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  3. ^ Llemit, Kathleen (2022-08-01). "Steve Harvey moment? Cebu's Nicole Borromeo bags Binibining Pilipinas International 2022". Philstar. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  4. ^ Quibranza, Luis III (2022-08-01). "Cebu City's Borromeo wins Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 title". SunStar. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  5. ^ Lachica, Immae (2024-10-04). "Cebuana Nicole Borromeo makes it big in Paris Fashion Week". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  6. ^ Geli, Bianca (2019-10-28). "Get to know Miss Millennial 2019 Nicole Borromeo". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  7. ^ "Miss Silka Philippines: A decade and more". PEP.ph. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  8. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy (2019-01-19). "Nicole Borromeo of Carcar City: Sinulog Festival Queen 2019". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  9. ^ E. Benedicto (2019-01-18). "Nicole Borromeo of Carcar City: Sinulog Festival Queen 2019". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  10. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy (2019-04-28). "Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 wins Reyna ng Aliwan crown". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  11. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy (2019-08-29). "Nicole Borromeo on her dethronement as Reyna ng Aliwan 2019: I respect the organizers' decision". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  12. ^ Rule, Karla (2019-08-30). "Reyna ng Aliwan dethrones Nicole Borromeo". Philstar. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  13. ^ Balbuena, Vanessa (2019-05-10). "Nicole Borromeo places 2nd runner-up in Miss Teen Philippines". Philstar. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  14. ^ Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (2019-10-27). "Cebu's Nicole Borromeo wins 'Eat Bulaga's' Miss Millennial 2019". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  15. ^ "Nicole Borromeo ng Cebu itinanghal na "Miss Millennial Philippines 2019"". HATAW! D'yaryo ng Bayan. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  16. ^ Requintina, Robert (2022-04-22). "Actress, pageant veterans among 40 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2022". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  17. ^ Enriquez, Em (2022-08-01). "10 Things You Need to Know About Bb. Pilipinas-International 2022 Nicole Borromeo". Preview.ph. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  18. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (1 August 2022). "LIST: Binibining Pilipinas 2022 winners, special awards". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  19. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (2022-08-01). "Full Text: Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Top 12 Q&A portion". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  20. ^ Reyes, Shiela (2022-08-01). "Cebu's Nicole Borromeo crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2022". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  21. ^ "Cebu's Nicole Borromeo is Binibining Pilipinas International 2022". Rappler. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  22. ^ Jusay, Annalyn S. (2022-08-03). "Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo says she was 'hurt' by controversy". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  23. ^ Llemit, Kathleen A. (2022-08-01). "Steve Harvey moment? Cebu's Nicole Borromeo bags Binibining Pilipinas International 2022". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  24. ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (2023-10-27). "Nicole Borromeo embodies local culture during 'Miss International' pageant". Interaksyon. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  25. ^ Santiago, Camille (2023-10-27). "Nicole Borromeo is an underwater goddess for the 61st Miss International evening gown competition". Philstar Life. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  26. ^ "TRANSCRIPT: Miss International 2023 Top 7 Q&A segment". Rappler. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  27. ^ "Nicole Borromeo crowned Miss International 2023 3rd runner-up". ABS-CBN News. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  28. ^ Alpad, Christina (2023-10-26). "PH bet finishes 3rd in Miss International 2023". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  29. ^ Adina, Armin P. (2026-02-01). "Nicole Borromeo, Apriel Smith to carry Cebu in Miss Universe Philippines 2026". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  30. ^ Guanzon, Ian Peter (2026-04-05). "Silver or pink? Cebu’s MUPH 2026 duo dazzles in evening gown prelims". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  31. ^ Guanzon, Ian Peter (2026-04-16). "Cebu bets make big waves at MUPh 2026 national costume show". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  32. ^ Garcia, Miss Universe Philippines Kang. "HIGHLIGHTS: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night". Philstar Life. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  33. ^ I.P. Guanzon (2026-05-10). "Apriel Smith crowned Miss Charm PH 2026; Nicole Borromeo wins new title". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  34. ^ Adina, Armin P. (2026-05-10). "Miss Universe PH 2026 finalists get The Miss Philippines crowns". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  35. ^ Reyes, Mika (2022-08-01). "Six Things To Know About Miss International Philippines". mega-asia.com. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  36. ^ "Benedicto Brothers: Bold Moves and Big Dreams". The Freeman. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-04-20. – via The Philippine Star.