Miss International 2023 Third Runner-Up Nicole Borromeo is making a grand comeback, setting her sights on the Miss Universe Philippines crown, a win that will give her the chance to represent the Philippines anew, this time, in Miss Universe.

Borromeo and fellow pageant veteran Apriel Smith will represent Cebu Province and Cebu City, respectively, in Miss Universe Philippines 2026.

Their appointment was announced during a press presentation on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

They were sashed and crowned by Miss Universe Philippines - Cebu City 2025 Gabriella Carballo, the Philippines’ representative to the 2026 Miss Eco International.

Borromeo represented the Philippines in Miss International after winning the top crown in Binibining Pilipinas.

Smith, herself, is a Binibining Pilipinas alumna, placing as semifinalist in the 2016 edition of the pageant.

A year after, she joined the first Binibining Cebu and won.

She would later represent Cebu Province in the inaugural staging of Miss Universe Philippines in 2020 where she landed in the Top 16.

Miss Universe Philippines - Cebu organizers chose not to hold a pageant this year, what with the recent calamities that struck the island in recent months, including earthquakes and typhoons.