Watch 2023 Miss International 3rd Runner-Up Nicole Borromeo talk about her beauty pageant journey and her future plans in this episode of PEP Live.
#nicoleborromeo #missinternational #beautyqueen
Hosts: Nikko Tuazon & Bernie Franco
Live Stream Director: John Mariano
Live Stream Producer: Rommel Llanes
Coordinated by Nikko Tuazon
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#nicoleborromeo #missinternational #beautyqueen
Hosts: Nikko Tuazon & Bernie Franco
Live Stream Director: John Mariano
Live Stream Producer: Rommel Llanes
Coordinated by Nikko Tuazon
Subscribe to our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/PEPMediabox
Know the latest in showbiz at http://www.pep.ph
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pepalerts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEPalerts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepalerts
Visit our DailyMotion channel! https://www.dailymotion.com/PEPalerts
Join us on Viber: https://bit.ly/PEPonViber
Watch us on Kumu: pep.ph
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PeopleTranscript
00:00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:00:10 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:00:39 Mic test, mic, mic.
00:00:40 Hello, fellow Fabsters, hello.
00:00:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:00:50 Hello, hello, hello, fellow Fabsters.
00:00:52 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:01:02 [MUSIC]
00:01:12 [MUSIC]
00:01:22 Hello, my little babes, this is Nico Tualzon and welcome to PEP Live.
00:01:39 >> Hello, Fabsters, I'm Tin Vailon and
00:01:43 very special [FOREIGN] for today's video.
00:01:47 >> [FOREIGN]
00:02:09 >> It's International 2023,
00:02:11 third runner up, Nicole Baromeo.
00:02:13 >> [APPLAUSE]
00:02:15 >> [FOREIGN]
00:02:17 >> [APPLAUSE]
00:02:19 >> [FOREIGN]
00:02:21 >> Thank you for the introduction,
00:02:23 I feel so happy to be here.
00:02:24 >> So welcome to PEP Live, Miss Nicole, how are you feeling?
00:02:27 >> I feel very honored because like you said, this is your first ever live and
00:02:31 I get to be your first ever guest.
00:02:33 And it's my first time here with you guys, so today is extra special.
00:02:37 >> [FOREIGN]
00:02:47 >> And for today is #NicoleBaromeo on PEP Live.
00:02:51 And if you have questions, just put them in the comment section down below.
00:02:54 We'll ask them to Miss Nicole.
00:02:56 And we're live on- >> Facebook, YouTube, and Kumu.
00:03:00 >> So share it, guys, we're live on there, drop gifts, you know that.
00:03:03 >> Yeah.
00:03:04 >> Okay, you go first.
00:03:06 >> There, so how was it, Nicole,
00:03:09 returning to the Philippines after Miss International, and
00:03:13 you got the third runner up?
00:03:16 >> [FOREIGN] It was so long there, and it was such an incredible experience.
00:03:25 That to bring home the top five back to the Philippines,
00:03:30 it feels really heartwarming because I felt that support.
00:03:34 I felt that it was a shared victory,
00:03:37 that I wouldn't have been there if it weren't for
00:03:40 all the love of the Filipino people.
00:03:43 So being back here, it feels amazing.
00:03:45 We've been having media rounds since last week, credit to Sir Leroyd.
00:03:50 And yeah, it's been amazing, and I'm excited for what's in store.
00:03:57 >> [FOREIGN]
00:03:59 >> [FOREIGN]
00:04:02 >> What's the first thing that you did after the pageant?
00:04:07 >> You mean like the day after or like- >> The day after.
00:04:11 >> God, well, actually, fun little fact, the day after,
00:04:16 we had to transfer hotels.
00:04:18 So the top five stayed while the rest had to prepare and
00:04:22 fly back to their respective countries.
00:04:24 While we were packing, it's [FOREIGN]
00:04:28 because you have to do your own packing by yourself.
00:04:33 So all the four giant luggages that I had,
00:04:37 I had to zip and bring down on my own.
00:04:41 And it's really a different experience doing that.
00:04:45 Before we headed to the hotel, we actually stopped by McDonald's.
00:04:49 And the McDonald's in Japan is really good.
00:04:53 They've got all these different flavors.
00:04:56 They don't have any rice though, which was such a surprise.
00:05:00 They say, we love our rice.
00:05:02 [LAUGH]
00:05:03 And the rice in Japan is fantastic.
00:05:06 But we tried the little burgers and the McFlurry,
00:05:11 it hits different there.
00:05:13 [LAUGH]
00:05:14 So that was that, we enjoyed a good meal.
00:05:17 We headed straight to the hotel and we were just finally given the chance
00:05:23 to breathe and relax and take in the wind.
00:05:27 >> Yes.
00:05:28 >> We got to hold on to our crowns and really cherish it.
00:05:31 [FOREIGN] We don't get to bring it home though.
00:05:33 >> [FOREIGN]
00:05:43 >> For the runner ups, I was surprised that it's all the same, the design.
00:05:53 So first runner up, second runner up, third and fourth,
00:05:55 the design of the crown is the same.
00:05:57 And it's, like you said, super big.
00:06:01 >> Super big, yeah.
00:06:03 >> [FOREIGN]
00:06:11 >> What was going through your mind, Nicole, when they started calling the winners?
00:06:22 >> Wow, when they started calling the winners,
00:06:25 I was a lot calmer than I thought that I would be.
00:06:31 Because at that point, we've already done the best that we could, all of us.
00:06:36 So in my head, I was already thinking, whatever you want, God,
00:06:41 whatever your plan is, if it's for me, that would be amazing.
00:06:46 If it's not, then I'll completely understand.
00:06:49 And to make it to top five felt like an incredible achievement
00:06:54 because this is the first year that they've had 70 countries, I think.
00:06:58 I think it's one of the largest number of candidates to compete in Miss International.
00:07:03 And it's also a year that's evolving.
00:07:06 It was the first time ever in the history of Miss International for
00:07:10 them to put in the Q&A portion.
00:07:13 Because every year, Miss International has been known iconically for their speeches.
00:07:19 And so that's what I really just prepared for when I got there.
00:07:23 My speech, and I was ready to do that.
00:07:26 And we find out on the day that we arrived that they will be changing things up.
00:07:30 They also removed the swimsuit, which I thought was really interesting.
00:07:34 The production went so smoothly.
00:07:37 And the national costume that Miss Axe designed is so bold and colorful.
00:07:44 It felt so great that we had the creative freedom to do whatever we wanted
00:07:51 in terms of styling for this competition.
00:07:53 Let's share your experiences later.
00:07:56 But you had a biggest challenge that day.
00:08:00 Biggest challenge?
00:08:02 Okay, so you really like this story.
00:08:07 So before we started this interview, I'll actually share this story to you guys.
00:08:13 I'll share it again.
00:08:15 On the day of the coronation, we had rehearsals in the morning.
00:08:21 All 70 of us were gathered on the stage.
00:08:25 And we really took in the fact that this was the last time we would be seeing each other.
00:08:32 One of our chaperones, KJ, comes in, and he tells us to close our eyes.
00:08:37 He gives us a whole speech that he prepared.
00:08:40 And it almost sounds like a meditation because he was saying things like,
00:08:44 "You know, you girls are so special.
00:08:47 Each one of you are representing your country with pride.
00:08:51 You're already winners.
00:08:53 And getting to know you, your looks are the least most beautiful thing about you.
00:09:00 It's your heart. It's your story. It's your spirit."
00:09:03 And the way he said it just made me bawl my eyes out.
00:09:07 I was a sobbing mess.
00:09:09 It's not even the cute cries where it's just, "One tear la."
00:09:12 It's the whole ugly crying.
00:09:16 And thank God I had my shades on because I was like, "I cannot do this. I cannot do this."
00:09:21 And even after he gave the speech, one of the girls, I think Miss Jamaica, Sabrina,
00:09:28 she apparently wrote a poem.
00:09:30 So she shared that poem, like spoken word.
00:09:34 And I forgot most of her lines.
00:09:36 I can't say it as perfectly as she did.
00:09:40 But when she did, that made me cry again.
00:09:44 So it was just like tears on top of tears on top of tears.
00:09:48 And yeah, my eyes were so swollen that I told myself, "It's okay. It's okay.
00:09:55 It'll go down later. It'll go down later."
00:09:58 But yes, moments before the pageant started, my eye was not --
00:10:04 my eye was still very swollen.
00:10:07 And it was specifically the right eye.
00:10:10 I couldn't open my eyes properly.
00:10:13 I found out that it developed into a sty.
00:10:16 So my right eye got infected.
00:10:18 But I pushed through.
00:10:20 Laban lang.
00:10:22 And hey, we made it.
00:10:24 Top five, baby.
00:10:26 How are your eyes? Are you wearing glasses?
00:10:28 Just kidding.
00:10:30 So we'll find out more about her experience in Miss International 2020
00:10:38 in our PEP Challenge that we call Social Media Raid.
00:10:44 So let's wait for PEP.
00:10:59 What we'll do is we'll show the pictures.
00:11:02 Later.
00:11:03 And here's our mechanics for today's video.
00:11:09 Or we're just joking.
00:11:11 We're not on camera.
00:11:12 I'm just kidding.
00:11:13 The mechanics is she'll flash photos on screen from Nicole's Instagram.
00:11:19 And she'll tell the stories behind that photo.
00:11:22 Okay, let's go.
00:11:23 First picture.
00:11:25 There, it'll come out.
00:11:27 Oh, I can tell you all about this day.
00:11:32 So for the first time in Miss International history,
00:11:38 I decided since I had so many months to prepare,
00:11:42 I figured it would be a good idea to ask for a courtesy visit
00:11:47 with the ambassador of Japan in the Philippines.
00:11:51 So Ambassador Kaz was so open that he not only invited us to the office,
00:11:59 he invited us to his residence.
00:12:02 So when we visited, he was sharing the similarities between the Philippines
00:12:08 and Japan, certain cuisines that are like fusions.
00:12:13 An example would be the guava sinigang.
00:12:15 He thought that's a delicious mix of the two.
00:12:21 And in this picture, he was saying that "Baltas 5,"
00:12:26 which is an anime, really blew up in the Philippines.
00:12:31 So it originated in Japan because, yes, anime.
00:12:35 And because the fans were so big here in the country,
00:12:38 it kind of became an icon, a shared love for the series.
00:12:44 And in his residence, he had his own little "Baltas 5" action figure.
00:12:51 So he showed it off with pride.
00:12:53 So we were surrounded by the press, and we were taking pictures with it.
00:12:58 It was really nice.
00:12:59 We also got to check out his garden.
00:13:01 He had a huge garden, and it just rained that day.
00:13:07 And I was in white pants.
00:13:09 You see where this is going, right?
00:13:11 Mapute.
00:13:12 He goes, "Come on, let's go see the garden."
00:13:15 And I don't want to be like--I don't want to be "arte."
00:13:18 So I said, "Yeah, let's go."
00:13:20 And when I stepped on the grass, I immediately regretted my decision
00:13:23 because I started to stink.
00:13:26 I was like, "No!"
00:13:29 And, yeah, by the end of it, I had ombre pants from light to dark.
00:13:37 He made "Baltas 5" so that it would be older than the three of us.
00:13:41 Have you watched?
00:13:42 Yes, with you.
00:13:44 When did you watch it?
00:13:45 Now.
00:13:46 I haven't seen it yet, actually.
00:13:48 He did a live action with GMA.
00:13:52 He's like Transformers.
00:13:54 Cute.
00:13:55 Okay, next picture.
00:13:58 Oh, man. This is so nice.
00:14:01 That picture, the girl on the right beside me,
00:14:04 that's actually former Miss Universe Japan, Mary Belen.
00:14:09 That's me during my meet and greet.
00:14:12 So I have a friend who's from Cebu as well who moved to Japan,
00:14:18 and I told him, like, "Oh, I'm going to be going there a few days earlier.
00:14:22 Do you think that you could take me around?
00:14:24 I want to visit the ambassador of the Philippines there."
00:14:27 And he says, "We're going to arrange a meet and greet for you."
00:14:32 And I said, "Really? In Japan?
00:14:35 Like, what's the first time it's ever happened? So sweet."
00:14:41 The Filipino community there is just so supportive,
00:14:44 and it made me feel extra special because when you're working in Japan,
00:14:49 you're really on your own, right?
00:14:51 Like when you travel, you have to take the train, you have to carry your things.
00:14:55 If you have work, you have to go after work.
00:14:57 If you have an event, you have to do your own hair and makeup.
00:14:59 Or if you get somebody, it's going to cost a fortune.
00:15:02 But the fact that there were people who not only went to the dinner,
00:15:07 but they actually paid to go to the meet and greet.
00:15:12 I couldn't believe that Mary Belen was even one of them.
00:15:15 I was just overjoyed. You can see that smile.
00:15:18 I'm just like, "Yeah, yeah."
00:15:21 I actually came from Osaka that day because I did a collab shoot there,
00:15:27 and we took a bullet train and went straight to the dinner.
00:15:30 It was exhausting, but the moment I saw everybody and their smile,
00:15:34 I was like, "Wow, these people are here for me."
00:15:37 The wait was really worth it.
00:15:41 So you felt the love of the Filipino fans and supporters in Osaka, right?
00:15:49 I can't hear you.
00:15:50 I'm not hearing you.
00:15:52 Yes, Osaka.
00:15:53 Have you been to Osaka?
00:15:55 Not in my dreams.
00:15:57 Soon.
00:15:59 I'll show you the next picture.
00:16:02 Oh, this one was one of the free days that we had.
00:16:08 I think in the morning we had the shamisen and the koto.
00:16:16 Those are the two traditional instruments in Japan, super old.
00:16:22 They gave us a live performance.
00:16:25 I'm telling you, when you hear it in person, I don't know what it does.
00:16:29 I felt it in my soul.
00:16:32 That's how beautiful it sounds in person.
00:16:37 The way you play it, the shamisen only has three strings,
00:16:43 but it sounds like it has six.
00:16:46 It sounds like it's so easy to use, but we had three girls try it on,
00:16:51 and they had a pretty hard time trying to keep up.
00:16:54 If you see that pick, it looks like something you'd use as a mend.
00:16:59 It's so big, right?
00:17:01 It was so fun because he not only played his own original songs,
00:17:06 but he even played songs we knew, like some Michael Jackson.
00:17:10 I remember by the end of it, we were all dancing.
00:17:14 We were right in front of the stage, and we were jumping up and down
00:17:17 as if we were in some kind of rave.
00:17:20 We were just jamming to traditional instruments.
00:17:25 That one, right? It's like he's holding a flag.
00:17:29 For the girl, the koto, or the Kyoto? I think it's called the koto.
00:17:33 I could be wrong.
00:17:35 You lay it down, and she has these ivory nails that she puts on her fingers.
00:17:42 That becomes the pick.
00:17:46 It's like she's playing the piano, but with her fingers.
00:17:51 It was a really, really beautiful experience.
00:17:54 I saw that in the video. She's playing with the video.
00:18:00 It was so cute. When we took that picture, we took a video right after,
00:18:04 and the guy goes, "Magandang babae!"
00:18:09 If you check my Instagram, you could hear him say that.
00:18:12 I'll put it on Nicole's IG because that's where we took the picture.
00:18:15 Next, this one, I was also happy to see.
00:18:18 This was the day that we arrived in Kaga City.
00:18:22 We actually had to take a plane to get there,
00:18:27 which I thought was really nice because I was like,
00:18:29 "Oh, look at me taking a domestic plane in Japan."
00:18:33 We were even taking rampa videos in the airport.
00:18:39 I had my onigiri with me before we got on the plane.
00:18:43 As soon as we arrived, we had a courtesy call to the mayor of Kaga's office.
00:18:51 It was the cutest thing you'll ever see because when you arrive,
00:18:54 they had these cute little mascots.
00:18:56 They had two birds. One was in all black, and the other one was in green.
00:19:03 The whole office was filled with people waving different flags.
00:19:09 How cute is that?
00:19:11 They make you feel so special when you arrive.
00:19:15 I found her because she was waving the Philippine flags.
00:19:19 I was like, "Come, come, let's take a video. Let's take a video."
00:19:22 She was so excited.
00:19:23 She was saying things in Nihongo that I didn't understand,
00:19:26 but I just felt like, "Yes, yes, it's me. It's me."
00:19:32 I like that she was so excited.
00:19:34 It was a really great day.
00:19:36 I think that was one of my favorite experiences throughout the trip,
00:19:40 to be honest with you.
00:19:41 When we got to the room and the mayor welcomed us,
00:19:45 we were all in this rectangular arrangement.
00:19:51 Estonia got to talk.
00:19:54 I think also Miss... who was the other one?
00:19:58 It was Estonia and another country who were expressing their thanks
00:20:02 because Kaga actually has friendship towards other countries.
00:20:07 I don't know how the agreement works, but it really strengthens the bond.
00:20:11 The beautiful thing about Kaga City is that it's the complete opposite of Japan,
00:20:18 Tokyo in a sense.
00:20:20 In Tokyo, everything is so small.
00:20:22 The rooms, even the hotels are very compact.
00:20:26 But in Kaga City, they're big.
00:20:30 The fields feel endless.
00:20:33 We even got to visit schools there.
00:20:36 We played with the kids and the high school students.
00:20:40 I felt like that was real cultural immersion
00:20:43 because it's different when you just visit a tourist spot
00:20:45 versus actually meeting the people who live there.
00:20:48 It seemed like a beautiful place to start a family.
00:20:50 I saw that video with the kids.
00:20:53 It's a school.
00:20:55 They look like maracas.
00:20:57 It's like they're circling the whole city of Japan.
00:21:00 - What city is that? - Kaga.
00:21:03 - Oh, I see. She's listening. - Kaga.
00:21:06 Take notes. My turn to do a trivia later.
00:21:09 What did I say?
00:21:12 Next picture, guys.
00:21:15 - There. - It's beautiful.
00:21:18 The kimono.
00:21:20 - That was also from... - It's from 2019.
00:21:23 Thank you. This was also in Kaga.
00:21:26 I think it was in day 2 that we arrived.
00:21:30 Is this an onsen?
00:21:35 We took the pictures by an onsen, actually.
00:21:39 This was taken in one of the restaurants we ate in.
00:21:45 It had a buffet, and it was one of the oldest...
00:21:49 I wish I could remember the name that we were in.
00:21:52 The cool thing about this kimono was
00:21:56 as soon as we arrived at the shop,
00:21:58 we were asked to pick any kimono.
00:22:03 They would do your hair, they would pick this and that.
00:22:08 The moment I saw this, I was like, "Hey, I like this color. I'm going to wear it."
00:22:13 I find out days later that former Miss International Philippines 2018
00:22:19 Atisa Manalo happened to have the same exact kimono
00:22:24 during her time in Kaga City.
00:22:27 That gave me... I was a little surprised to see that
00:22:31 because I couldn't have picked any color.
00:22:34 She could have picked any... Out of 70 countries,
00:22:38 I mean 30, because we were cut in half, I think.
00:22:41 Half of us went to Fukushima, and the other half went to Kaga.
00:22:45 What were the chances of us wearing the same exact one?
00:22:48 There was a side-by-side photo on Instagram, and I was like, "Wow, that's a crazy coincidence over there."
00:22:54 But it was refreshing to see the routine.
00:22:57 I felt so beautiful, and seeing the other girls in their kimonos as well,
00:23:02 it was like tapping into your feminine side.
00:23:06 We even had a photo with an umbrella.
00:23:08 We were walking around the streets.
00:23:12 I was like, "This is what it's like."
00:23:15 Okay, next.
00:23:18 - Babush. - Mmm.
00:23:20 This was actually the same day. That's why you can see my hairstyle is the same.
00:23:25 Oh my God, I'd be so happy to teach you guys this.
00:23:28 Right after we did the kimono, we changed, and we went to this old theater
00:23:35 where we saw a geisha performance.
00:23:39 The girl with the mask on, she was actually the one singing.
00:23:44 The girl in blue wore--she played the instruments.
00:23:49 I think it was also the shamisen.
00:23:53 After the performance, they invited us to learn about the geisha parlor game.
00:24:02 We got to go on the stage and really play on the spot.
00:24:05 I can actually teach you if you want to learn how.
00:24:07 - Okay, go. - Is there time?
00:24:09 Yes, you can do.
00:24:10 Okay, so if you have a little cup or a small item--
00:24:15 Do you have any small items?
00:24:16 We're looking for a small item.
00:24:18 Bring me a small item.
00:24:21 Maybe like a ball.
00:24:23 That one.
00:24:25 - Can we have-- - That one, yes. Perfect.
00:24:30 So you go like this.
00:24:33 And do this.
00:24:38 Okay?
00:24:40 You can't join, I'm sorry.
00:24:42 This is a two-player game.
00:24:47 Okay, so when I tap, you tap your palm.
00:24:51 When I tap my palm, you tap the cup.
00:24:53 Okay, so tap your palm.
00:24:57 Usually, there's a song that plays.
00:24:59 If I tap it, you have to do this.
00:25:02 You have to turn your hand into a fist.
00:25:05 Okay, and then?
00:25:06 And you knock.
00:25:07 But if you land like this, then you lose.
00:25:10 Oh, so it's easy.
00:25:12 - You want to try it out? - Okay.
00:25:14 Okay, ready? Go.
00:25:16 That's correct.
00:25:22 Oh my gosh, that's correct. You're good at this.
00:25:24 But you're supposed to keep going.
00:25:26 - I tapped, right? - If somebody messes up--
00:25:29 You're nervous.
00:25:30 If somebody messes up, then they take--
00:25:34 They drink, basically.
00:25:37 Because that's what they would play it together with.
00:25:39 Oh, so you can play it with your partner.
00:25:42 - If you have a kid. - Who's going to pay for that?
00:25:46 Just kidding.
00:25:48 And it was super intense because they sang,
00:25:52 and they have these drums in the back.
00:25:55 So you're like, "Must be on beat with the song."
00:25:58 Oh, okay, challenge.
00:26:00 We learned a new allergy.
00:26:03 We'll talk about this later.
00:26:05 Next picture.
00:26:08 We only have a few left.
00:26:10 This was our preliminary competition.
00:26:15 Let's take a long time of physiology for the credit.
00:26:20 I was really glad to see him there.
00:26:22 You know, when you see other--
00:26:24 Familiar people.
00:26:25 It really calms your nerves.
00:26:27 So that day, we had a private interview.
00:26:32 Short walk.
00:26:34 And I remember just feeling so nervous that day
00:26:38 because everyone's like, "What's the question? What's the question?"
00:26:41 And we were on the other side.
00:26:43 So we were trying to listen.
00:26:46 What are they being asked? What are they being asked?
00:26:50 But it was nice because I think I was closer to the end
00:26:54 because I'm Filipino.
00:26:55 It's the alphabetical order.
00:26:57 So the girls who finish, you just go up to them and you're like,
00:27:00 "What did they ask you? How was it?"
00:27:03 And they tell you, "Oh, it was all right.
00:27:07 It wasn't as bad as I thought."
00:27:09 So hearing them share their experience, you're like,
00:27:12 "Oh, okay. It can't be that bad then."
00:27:16 And it really wasn't.
00:27:18 The moment you get on the stage, you really just take it as it is.
00:27:26 And the judges were smiling, I remember.
00:27:29 And so I thought, "Okay. I'm okay."
00:27:32 You can do it. You fought.
00:27:34 And next, guys.
00:27:36 This one. I love it.
00:27:40 My pride and joy.
00:27:42 Shout out to Axel Keh.
00:27:44 She's the designer for my national costume this year.
00:27:48 We really wanted to kind of steer away from the traditional Filipiniana.
00:27:57 This is actually a Filipiniana as well.
00:28:00 It's just not too obvious given the way that it's structured.
00:28:05 It's actually uni-inspired or sea urchin.
00:28:09 Or what we call it, tuyong.
00:28:12 I personally like eating it raw when they cut it open for you.
00:28:16 So fresh.
00:28:18 And it's actually a shared--
00:28:20 Why did you go for tuyong or sea urchin for this one?
00:28:24 Because it's a shared delicacy that both the Filipinos and the Japanese.
00:28:30 And you know how it's really in our culture that we bond over food.
00:28:35 Either with family, with friends.
00:28:38 We always say, "Let's go here. Let's go there. Let's eat."
00:28:43 And when my national costume designer brought up this concept,
00:28:53 I was like, "Are you sure? Is it going to be black?"
00:28:56 I wasn't ready to--
00:28:58 Because when he said sea urchin, I was like, "I don't know.
00:29:00 What if it's going to be taken badly?
00:29:02 I don't think black is the right color."
00:29:06 But it wasn't black and it came out like nothing I've ever seen before.
00:29:11 And it even reminds me of a festival queen.
00:29:16 Yes.
00:29:17 Which is wonderful because I was a former festival queen for Sunolok.
00:29:20 I said, "No, yes."
00:29:22 And it just made me want to dance when I was in it.
00:29:24 And I got to do my little twirl, my dance moves on the stage.
00:29:28 It's fun. It's playful. It's bold.
00:29:31 And if you look closer at the picture, you can see even the makeup was a playful take.
00:29:37 Was it heavy?
00:29:40 The headpiece, surprisingly.
00:29:42 The body itself, not so much.
00:29:45 But the headpiece kind of felt like it was really pushing your skull.
00:29:49 You can't keep it on for too long.
00:29:52 Really, really fun.
00:29:53 When she said sea urchin, it was because of the fresh--
00:29:56 Oh, and fun fact, those little shards, they're all sewn together by hand.
00:30:04 Yeah. So according to Ms. Axe, she was like, "It took me like a month,
00:30:08 a month for me to make this for you.
00:30:10 You better be here for a special-- Ms. Axe, do the best."
00:30:16 She did a great job, even for other candidates.
00:30:19 She did a great job the whole time.
00:30:21 So, Ms. Axel Kick, there.
00:30:26 Next.
00:30:27 Next. This is another one. Boogs.
00:30:30 Boogs.
00:30:31 Who are you?
00:30:33 Nicole Borromeo, actually.
00:30:35 Gosh, that was such a fun shoot. You have no idea.
00:30:39 Stephen, the photographer, he actually got someone from back home
00:30:45 to create the setup.
00:30:47 So this isn't some AI-generated background.
00:30:50 This is the real deal.
00:30:52 I wish I had a picture to show you, but there is the backdrop,
00:30:56 and they really placed water on the bottom.
00:31:00 So I'm actually stepping on water.
00:31:06 And the team would divide the tasks.
00:31:09 One would hold the light.
00:31:11 The other one would play with the water so that it would flicker.
00:31:18 Credits, my gosh, to my friend Amato.
00:31:22 She's a world-renowned designer from Dubai-based,
00:31:26 and also grew up in Cebu.
00:31:31 So when we asked, I was overjoyed when she was like,
00:31:35 "I'll do it for you. I will make you your finals gown."
00:31:40 And I sent my pegs, but I didn't get to see it
00:31:43 until maybe a few weeks before I left for the pageant,
00:31:48 which is a little nerve-wracking because you would think that
00:31:50 with all this time, you would see it.
00:31:53 Yeah, but this is an artist, right?
00:31:56 You don't find out until you see it in person.
00:32:01 And I was like, "Please, Lord, please.
00:32:04 I hope that I feel it."
00:32:07 Because when you join a pageant, you feel the gown.
00:32:11 If it's really the gown, the winning gown for you.
00:32:15 And the moment I placed it on, I said it felt like a glove.
00:32:19 It fits so well.
00:32:22 It's like a dream come true.
00:32:25 Yeah, it unintentionally felt very sea-inspired,
00:32:29 like magandara, mermaid.
00:32:33 And I like how the cut was so unique.
00:32:36 My former gowns would be more conservative,
00:32:41 and this one showed...
00:32:43 It was a really conservative gown, actually,
00:32:46 because you don't see any leg.
00:32:49 But it's form-fitting.
00:32:51 It's very form-fitting, almost like a mermaid,
00:32:53 which I completely love.
00:32:56 And it showed the shoulders and the front here,
00:32:59 and it's got these plastic shards on the arms and the bottom
00:33:03 that whenever I walk, you could really see the motion.
00:33:07 You can't keep your eyes off it.
00:33:09 When the light hits it, it's...
00:33:11 I really like the conservative cover,
00:33:15 but it's still sexy because it's form-fitting.
00:33:18 Oh, and also, those extensions were crazy long.
00:33:21 If you look at the hair, it actually went all the way down
00:33:24 to my lower back.
00:33:27 It was nice because my natural hair is actually super short.
00:33:30 It's very different styling for the pageant itself, right?
00:33:33 Very sweet, very simple.
00:33:36 Were you... Did you get a pony?
00:33:39 Uh-uh. It was a side part, and it was just a low pony.
00:33:43 Of course, we went through that.
00:33:46 Next.
00:33:47 Next. Last three.
00:33:49 Man, this is already after the pageant,
00:33:54 so you can see how...
00:33:58 You can shop there.
00:34:00 Yeah, it's like we were actually on our way to a tea ceremony
00:34:03 held in Ginza, and it was outdoors.
00:34:07 They kind of just made a setup.
00:34:09 It wasn't inside a tea house.
00:34:11 It was just by the street next to Dior.
00:34:15 Super social there.
00:34:18 And we had to bring the tea over to the guests.
00:34:26 What's really funny, though, about this picture was
00:34:30 we were exhausted leg-wise
00:34:33 because we were in our heels the whole time.
00:34:36 And Stephan, the person who was taking care of us,
00:34:40 he kept saying, "Oh, yeah, it's really near.
00:34:42 It's just a few stops."
00:34:43 And then during our first stop, we were like,
00:34:45 "Oh, wow, look at us. We're taking the train.
00:34:48 Public transportation. It's so fun."
00:34:51 Because we were always on the bus during the pageant,
00:34:54 and this time we were taking the train.
00:34:56 And then there was a lot of walking.
00:34:58 And walking.
00:34:59 And then Stephan would be way ahead of us.
00:35:02 We're like, "How far are we going here?"
00:35:05 My legs are hurting.
00:35:07 We're friends like that.
00:35:09 We just smile through the pain.
00:35:11 We're getting there.
00:35:13 You're getting far.
00:35:14 He walks a lot.
00:35:16 In Japan, you're going to walk a lot.
00:35:19 The number of times I've woken up
00:35:22 with my legs aching from all the walking,
00:35:25 it's insane there.
00:35:26 I wish I could get a massage.
00:35:28 No tricycle.
00:35:29 It's not a tricycle.
00:35:31 [laughter]
00:35:32 What a waste.
00:35:33 [laughter]
00:35:35 So, in Japan, you're ready to go.
00:35:38 No tricycle.
00:35:40 Okay, next.
00:35:42 Next, sir.
00:35:43 Oh, he's already turning.
00:35:45 Next, sir.
00:35:46 Gosh.
00:35:50 That's my Lola Bobby, Lola Janet, and my mom, Joanne.
00:35:55 It feels weird saying her name.
00:35:57 I'm like, "Joanne."
00:35:59 So, they've been to Japan.
00:36:00 Because of all their mom.
00:36:01 Yeah, so, my family has never actually seen
00:36:06 one of my pageants live.
00:36:08 It's only been my mom and I think my tita from way back.
00:36:14 But after I won Bini Bini,
00:36:16 because they were actually supposed to watch
00:36:18 for the nationals, however, things came up.
00:36:22 And given that the cases were still up and down,
00:36:27 they didn't end up flying from Cebu.
00:36:30 But after I got crowned during Bini Bini,
00:36:33 my grandpa was like, "Hey, we're all going to go to Japan.
00:36:38 We're all going to watch the court."
00:36:40 Your grandpa wants a vacation.
00:36:42 And I was like, "Lola!"
00:36:44 [laughter]
00:36:46 "We'll support you, but we'll go to a boxing match."
00:36:49 But it was also like, "To support Nicole,
00:36:53 and go around Tokyo, baby.
00:36:55 We're going on tour."
00:36:57 So, they arrived the day before the pageant,
00:37:02 and they watched on the night.
00:37:04 It really meant a lot because my grandma,
00:37:06 she's not really into traveling so much.
00:37:10 So, for her to not only fly there,
00:37:13 but to watch physically in the competition,
00:37:18 I remember people asking me,
00:37:21 "Do you feel nervous that they're in the audience?"
00:37:25 And I said, "No, I felt the opposite.
00:37:27 I felt proud because this is the first time
00:37:31 that they're going to see me doing something that I love,
00:37:34 that I'm so passionate about,
00:37:37 that I get to represent the Philippines."
00:37:40 And they're watching that in person.
00:37:42 So, it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:44 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:46 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:48 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:50 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:52 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:54 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:56 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:37:58 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:38:00 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:38:02 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:38:04 And it's like, "Oh, my God, they're watching me."
00:38:06 So, the 25th until the 29th?
00:38:10 Until the 29th, yeah.
00:38:12 So, 26 was coronation.
00:38:14 And I saw them on the 28th.
00:38:16 So, they were able to go around.
00:38:18 My two days, my two days.
00:38:20 My grandma really said that.
00:38:22 Even if my grandma doesn't want to travel,
00:38:24 she'll travel.
00:38:26 She found an excuse.
00:38:28 And last.
00:38:30 Oh, you got this photo for Tito Jerry.
00:38:32 Oh, you got this photo for Tito Jerry.
00:38:34 Tito Jerry!
00:38:36 Oh, okay.
00:38:38 Tito Jerry is actually the head of Aces and Queens.
00:38:40 My camp, yeah.
00:38:42 And he was so, so supportive.
00:38:44 And he was so, so supportive.
00:38:46 Like, I wouldn't have been able to go through
00:38:48 this whole competition mentally if it weren't for him.
00:38:50 He would always call me.
00:38:52 He would always call me.
00:38:54 And he would tell me, like,
00:38:56 "Write down your affirmations."
00:38:58 Because when you're in a competition,
00:39:00 sometimes you get in your head and you're like,
00:39:02 "Can I really do this?"
00:39:04 The doubt creeps in.
00:39:06 But he was really my rock.
00:39:08 And he would
00:39:10 send such
00:39:12 positive energy.
00:39:14 So he would keep asking me,
00:39:16 "How are you doing? How are you doing?"
00:39:18 Even after the coordination, he's like, "How are you doing?
00:39:20 What did you do today?" And I said, "I went to Disneyland!"
00:39:22 I went to Disneyland!
00:39:24 Oh, yeah? So you went to Disneyland.
00:39:26 So we spent my boyfriend's birthday
00:39:28 in Disneyland.
00:39:30 And I sent him a photo.
00:39:32 And originally, this picture was
00:39:34 filled with people
00:39:36 in the background because it's Halloween.
00:39:38 I feel like they did for a balance.
00:39:40 It's Halloween and it's packed with people.
00:39:42 And I sent him the photo. And he sent the photo back.
00:39:44 And he's like, "I took the people out for you."
00:39:46 And I was like, "Oh,
00:39:48 look at you!"
00:39:50 For context, Tito Jerry's a lot older.
00:39:52 Like, he's probably in his
00:39:54 60s. He's a senior.
00:39:56 And the fact that he knew how to
00:39:58 take people out, I was like, "What app do you use?"
00:40:00 I don't even know how to do that.
00:40:02 And
00:40:04 if anybody recognizes, that's
00:40:06 Monsters, Inc. That's Sulli's
00:40:08 hat. And it was just
00:40:10 one of my favorites.
00:40:12 My favorite experiences in Japan.
00:40:14 Because I'm a sucker for Disney.
00:40:16 And I love rides. I love
00:40:18 childhood
00:40:20 memories. And that was
00:40:22 just filled with it.
00:40:24 That's our last picture.
00:40:26 I have a question. Spin.
00:40:28 Oh, really?
00:40:30 Go ahead and spin, babe.
00:40:32 I was just joking.
00:40:34 I was just joking with her. She's so pretty.
00:40:36 Okay, go.
00:40:38 I'll just go.
00:40:40 I don't know about that.
00:40:42 I think it was 30 days in Japan, right?
00:40:44 Close to 30 days.
00:40:46 What do you think Filipinos
00:40:48 can learn from the Japanese
00:40:50 and vice versa in 30 days
00:40:52 in Japan?
00:40:54 I think Filipinos
00:40:56 could learn more about
00:40:58 the Japanese's
00:41:00 respect for
00:41:02 nature.
00:41:04 The Philippines is filled with
00:41:06 natural resources. That's what we're known for.
00:41:08 Immediately you think,
00:41:10 pristine beaches,
00:41:12 mountains, canons,
00:41:14 springs.
00:41:16 And yet, we
00:41:18 pollute our country
00:41:20 still.
00:41:22 It's a shame
00:41:24 because that's
00:41:26 the beauty of our country.
00:41:28 We're an archipelago.
00:41:30 We're so close to the water and yet the waters
00:41:32 are getting polluted too.
00:41:34 And
00:41:36 that appreciation for it,
00:41:38 that respect, it's
00:41:40 understanding that, hey, this is our home.
00:41:42 It needs to be taken care of.
00:41:44 It's only going to happen
00:41:46 if it starts with yourself.
00:41:48 It's so easy to blame other people.
00:41:50 You're doing something about it.
00:41:52 You can't control others.
00:41:54 It really starts from within.
00:41:56 Vice versa,
00:41:58 I believe the Japanese, although I think
00:42:00 they practice it already,
00:42:02 is
00:42:04 more warm.
00:42:06 I'm a little biased.
00:42:08 I'm a
00:42:10 hugger.
00:42:12 I think it's like that here
00:42:14 in the Philippines. We're not afraid to
00:42:16 go up to people
00:42:18 and invite
00:42:20 others over.
00:42:22 The family ties are really strong.
00:42:24 I know family is also
00:42:26 important in Japan.
00:42:28 From what I've seen,
00:42:30 people are busy working
00:42:32 all the time.
00:42:34 I think that they could learn to
00:42:36 spend more
00:42:38 time with family as well.
00:42:40 Not be afraid
00:42:42 to be a little loud about it.
00:42:44 Don't be afraid to scream
00:42:46 their hearts out the way that my family
00:42:48 did during the coronation night.
00:42:50 It was incredible.
00:42:52 But, Nicola,
00:42:54 they taught you
00:42:56 Filipino phrase
00:42:58 or word.
00:43:00 They asked, "What does
00:43:02 this mean?"
00:43:04 From the Japanese people?
00:43:06 Actually,
00:43:08 this year was different because
00:43:10 it was the year that they
00:43:12 opened the University
00:43:14 of Beauty and Wellness.
00:43:16 We actually ended up
00:43:18 staying at that university in Yokohama.
00:43:20 We got to meet the
00:43:22 students who went
00:43:24 there. It was
00:43:26 really fun because they were very
00:43:28 eager to know about us.
00:43:30 Whenever they'd see me, they'd go like, "Kawaii!"
00:43:32 It's like, "Huh!"
00:43:34 I found out
00:43:36 from my family that
00:43:38 since they brought extra Philippine flags
00:43:40 on the coronation night,
00:43:42 the students recognized it
00:43:44 because they're like, "Oh, Nicola!
00:43:46 We love Philippines!"
00:43:48 They actually
00:43:50 took the flags, too, and they were waving it
00:43:52 in the
00:43:54 coronation as well.
00:43:56 If they learned any Filipino
00:43:58 phrases, I can't really remember.
00:44:00 Maybe they've...
00:44:02 What I've noticed with the other girls, though,
00:44:04 was they would
00:44:06 always say, "Mabuhay!"
00:44:08 "Mabuhay!"
00:44:10 It felt like nearly everyone knew
00:44:12 that one specific line.
00:44:14 "Mabuhay!"
00:44:16 It's like, "Wow!"
00:44:18 This is the only one they all know.
00:44:20 "Mabuhay!"
00:44:22 "Mabuhay!" and "Ingat po!"
00:44:24 Oh, cute!
00:44:26 Nicola, you learned Japanese
00:44:28 phrases, right? But at the start of
00:44:30 your Q&A, you said, "Konbanwa" something.
00:44:32 "Konbanwa" means "Good evening."
00:44:34 Right?
00:44:36 "Domo arigato gozaimashita"
00:44:38 means "Thank you very much."
00:44:40 Oh, you're right!
00:44:42 When you see
00:44:44 something that makes you happy,
00:44:46 I would always say, "Shiawase!"
00:44:48 It just means "I'm happy."
00:44:50 "Totemo"
00:44:52 means "Very."
00:44:54 So when I say, "Totemo shiawase,"
00:44:56 they smile back, too.
00:44:58 They're like, "Oh, she's happy."
00:45:00 What do you say in Japanese?
00:45:02 "Nani?"
00:45:04 "Nande?"
00:45:06 "Ganbaru, ganbaru!"
00:45:08 I just remembered
00:45:10 one more thing.
00:45:12 We're already PG-18 in Japanese.
00:45:14 What's the point?
00:45:16 We're not going to say it.
00:45:18 Okay, we have a question.
00:45:20 I thought the person was in the script.
00:45:22 But we've talked about
00:45:24 your experiences earlier. What's the most
00:45:26 memorable for you?
00:45:28 Unforgettable.
00:45:30 It's hard. There's so many good memories.
00:45:32 Can we categorize?
00:45:34 The ones we didn't mention earlier.
00:45:36 The ones we didn't
00:45:38 touch on earlier in the pre-quiz.
00:45:40 It wasn't the photos.
00:45:42 Let me think.
00:45:44 Favorite memories.
00:45:46 Me?
00:45:52 I'm sorry about that. I was like, "What are you doing?"
00:45:54 Over there, he was making hand gestures.
00:45:56 We're just playing.
00:45:58 There are so many memories.
00:46:00 I have so many memories.
00:46:02 Let me think.
00:46:04 Top of my mind.
00:46:06 With the girls.
00:46:08 I always think...
00:46:10 Who was your closest girl?
00:46:12 Who was your roommate?
00:46:14 Ms. Nepal.
00:46:16 In pregnancy.
00:46:18 She's the kindest girl.
00:46:20 I'm so blessed to have her as a roommate.
00:46:22 She made the whole experience very special.
00:46:24 Actually, now that you mentioned it,
00:46:26 one of my favorite experiences.
00:46:28 I'm not going to say the most favorite.
00:46:30 The moment you say most, you're like,
00:46:32 "What about that one?"
00:46:34 I hate it when you say it.
00:46:36 One that I haven't touched on was
00:46:38 she...
00:46:40 She and I were talking.
00:46:42 I remember.
00:46:44 I went to Asakusa.
00:46:46 It's a really famous
00:46:48 tourist spot in Japan.
00:46:50 They have the Sensō-ji Temple.
00:46:52 This strip of stores
00:46:54 where you can buy food,
00:46:56 you can buy souvenirs
00:46:58 and whatnot.
00:47:00 I go into this
00:47:02 store and Miss Estonia...
00:47:04 It's like a store for stones.
00:47:06 The little power stones.
00:47:08 Crystals and stuff.
00:47:10 I was just looking at it.
00:47:12 It's shiny.
00:47:14 Miss Estonia goes next to me and she's like,
00:47:16 "You know this one?
00:47:18 This one helped me get money."
00:47:20 I was like, "Wait, what?"
00:47:22 "Let me buy one right now."
00:47:24 I don't want to buy it.
00:47:26 She was like, "I credit this."
00:47:28 I was like, "You're telling me
00:47:30 that you're going to credit
00:47:32 the stone
00:47:34 for all the money you just earned."
00:47:36 She was so convincing.
00:47:38 I was like, "Okay, I'm buying the rock."
00:47:40 I bought two.
00:47:42 I bought one that's for...
00:47:44 Actually, I bought three.
00:47:46 I bought three.
00:47:48 One was for wealth.
00:47:50 Another was for learning.
00:47:52 This
00:47:54 small little pebble called the tiger's eye
00:47:56 was for
00:47:58 multiple things, including learning.
00:48:00 The list was very
00:48:02 long. I don't even remember it. I just got it because
00:48:04 I thought it looked really pretty. I was like, "Oh, cool."
00:48:06 I like the one that's for wealth.
00:48:08 I like that.
00:48:10 Is that green?
00:48:12 I got back to the hotel, to the university.
00:48:14 I think it was already...
00:48:18 We were already getting ready for bed.
00:48:20 I was showing it to Prasety,
00:48:22 my roommate. I was like, "Hey, you want to see my rocks?"
00:48:24 Just saying that out loud,
00:48:30 she looks at it and she's like,
00:48:34 "You bought rocks?"
00:48:36 "You went all the way there
00:48:40 and you bought..."
00:48:42 When I
00:48:44 showed it to her,
00:48:46 I showed it to her by the wealth rock,
00:48:48 and learning rock, and then the pebble.
00:48:50 When she saw the pebble, she was like,
00:48:52 "What are you thinking?
00:48:56 What are you on about?"
00:48:58 I started laughing really hard. She starts laughing really hard.
00:49:00 It was just one of those
00:49:04 nights where
00:49:06 you don't even think about
00:49:08 what we're going to have the next day.
00:49:10 You don't think about
00:49:12 what happened. You're not worried
00:49:14 about anything because we were just laughing
00:49:16 in the moment. I think that's something
00:49:18 I really appreciated.
00:49:20 I met someone who's
00:49:22 from a whole new different
00:49:24 country, different culture,
00:49:26 and yet, here we were
00:49:28 laughing at something as
00:49:30 boring as a rock.
00:49:32 I hope there's someone who plays like that.
00:49:36 Just kidding.
00:49:40 I also like rock now.
00:49:42 I'll tell you once I know what it is.
00:49:44 Which store?
00:49:46 We'll go to Japan, right?
00:49:48 So we can buy it.
00:49:50 No, we can't. Visa is not allowed.
00:49:52 It's just for her.
00:49:54 Who will buy it?
00:49:56 Next.
00:49:58 I'm curious about the Q&A.
00:50:00 It's the first time
00:50:02 that we're doing Q&A.
00:50:04 That was very nerve-wracking.
00:50:08 The top seven had to
00:50:10 get ready for the Q&A. I thought it was pretty
00:50:14 interesting because I've done
00:50:16 Q&A before and that was
00:50:18 the first time I've ever seen it come out of
00:50:20 a bowl of
00:50:22 little balls.
00:50:24 A bowl of little ping pong.
00:50:26 When they hand it over to you, it's just like
00:50:30 ping pong.
00:50:32 It zooms in
00:50:34 on the ball.
00:50:36 It's like, "Question number
00:50:38 five."
00:50:42 I guess I really helped with the nerves
00:50:44 because then it's like,
00:50:46 I wasn't focused on messing up.
00:50:48 I was focused on, "Hey, that's
00:50:50 interesting."
00:50:52 But you're the one who had the hardest
00:50:54 time with the Q&A.
00:50:56 Thank you.
00:50:58 When I heard your question,
00:51:00 I was like, "Huh? SDG?"
00:51:02 I was like, "Huh? SDG?"
00:51:04 I was like, "Huh? SDG?"
00:51:06 I was like, "Huh? SDG?"
00:51:10 That makes me feel so glad, actually,
00:51:12 because apparently people started to
00:51:14 research
00:51:16 a little more on what SDGs
00:51:18 were after they heard the Q&A.
00:51:20 What's great about
00:51:22 Miss International is they give the girls
00:51:24 a platform, and if you check their
00:51:26 YouTube channel, you can find
00:51:28 all of our SDG-related videos
00:51:30 and the causes that we
00:51:32 stand for. I love
00:51:34 that we get to publicize this
00:51:36 so people are inspired
00:51:38 by what we do. I took a lot of
00:51:40 inspiration from Miss Nepal,
00:51:42 frankly speaking, because
00:51:44 I think she got the highest views for
00:51:46 SDGs, if I'm not mistaken.
00:51:48 What she does is incredible. She's
00:51:50 helping support, I think, 40
00:51:52 kids for her
00:51:54 organization. In my case, I just
00:51:56 wanted to highlight what
00:51:58 Habitat for
00:52:00 Humanity is already doing, because
00:52:02 I've seen
00:52:04 how badly typhoons can affect
00:52:06 our communities, and
00:52:08 we need to have homes that are
00:52:10 resilient. However,
00:52:12 you can't build a home
00:52:14 on your own, right? I don't have the money
00:52:16 to build a house by myself.
00:52:18 How much more for those who
00:52:20 are less fortunate
00:52:22 than we are? We need
00:52:24 collective efforts for that.
00:52:26 Habitat for
00:52:28 Humanity has been around for decades,
00:52:30 and they even allow
00:52:32 people who aren't
00:52:34 with a construction background
00:52:36 to join in. They have
00:52:38 this initiative called Baha'i Nihuan,
00:52:40 where you can actually donate
00:52:42 annually or as
00:52:44 often as you want, and you
00:52:46 can even have the experience of volunteering
00:52:48 on-site.
00:52:50 I highly
00:52:52 recommend the on-site volunteer
00:52:54 work, because then you really see
00:52:56 where all this
00:52:58 pool of money is going to.
00:53:00 It's going to homes, it's going
00:53:02 to the children
00:53:04 who are living in these homes, it's
00:53:06 going to a
00:53:08 life. Who are
00:53:10 you without the home you live in?
00:53:12 How do you move on?
00:53:14 How do you survive?
00:53:16 How do you feel strong when the home
00:53:18 you live in isn't safe?
00:53:20 That's
00:53:22 something that I really wanted to highlight,
00:53:24 and it's really great to see the
00:53:26 number of people coming out saying
00:53:28 that they want to join in, too.
00:53:30 I think this is just the beginning
00:53:32 so more youth can get
00:53:34 involved. Support Habitat for
00:53:36 Humanity. You know what, guys?
00:53:38 Go to their Facebook page
00:53:40 for more details.
00:53:42 Their Facebook page?
00:53:44 But at that time,
00:53:46 when you heard the question,
00:53:48 were you nervous?
00:53:50 I think
00:53:52 it's always important to ask. When you answered,
00:53:54 it was so spot on.
00:53:56 I heard your answer directly.
00:53:58 Thank you. I give a lot of credit
00:54:00 to my Q&A coaches,
00:54:02 Pippo Gonzalez and
00:54:04 Callie Huff. I give a lot
00:54:06 of credit to Callie especially because
00:54:08 she made time to call
00:54:10 me in between.
00:54:12 She saw how exhausted I was
00:54:14 after a long day,
00:54:16 and my brain was like,
00:54:18 I could physically feel my brain
00:54:20 not working.
00:54:22 I couldn't even think.
00:54:24 She was just so patient with me, and I
00:54:26 appreciated that.
00:54:28 When it comes to Q&A, you're always going to
00:54:30 have to think of more than just an answer.
00:54:32 It has to be something
00:54:34 with substance, something that
00:54:36 resonates with the people.
00:54:38 What helped me a lot was knowing
00:54:42 that it's not about
00:54:44 the smartest
00:54:46 answer. It's about your
00:54:48 answer and what you think
00:54:50 and what you stand for.
00:54:52 People are listening to you, and
00:54:54 I'm glad they listened to mine.
00:54:56 I'm glad that people thought that I did
00:54:58 really well that night.
00:55:00 You did. You made us proud.
00:55:02 Thank you, Nicole.
00:55:04 In fairness, Callie
00:55:06 missed passing CT during
00:55:08 Miss Universe.
00:55:10 I hope Miss Kitchen
00:55:12 wins again.
00:55:14 It's good that you know that, Mike.
00:55:16 Okay.
00:55:18 How are you feeling
00:55:20 now that your Miss International
00:55:22 has finally come to a close?
00:55:24 You're almost there.
00:55:26 Oh my gosh.
00:55:28 It was a...
00:55:30 I'm not going to lie. It was a mix.
00:55:32 Really, really
00:55:34 heavy mix of feelings.
00:55:36 I was even telling
00:55:38 Sir Leroy and Francis earlier that
00:55:40 it's on and off,
00:55:42 because you're
00:55:44 happy and sad.
00:55:46 I was
00:55:48 crowned last year
00:55:50 in 2022,
00:55:52 and months leading up
00:55:54 to the pageant, it has always been about
00:55:56 the pageant.
00:55:58 It was about the people that I got to meet,
00:56:00 the people that
00:56:02 supported me,
00:56:04 and it really felt like
00:56:06 I was the testament
00:56:08 to how
00:56:10 when people come together, amazing
00:56:12 things happen. I am the
00:56:14 product of people who
00:56:16 invested in me,
00:56:18 and I
00:56:20 carry that with so much pride,
00:56:22 because I know for a fact that
00:56:24 I would not have
00:56:26 been on that stage. I would not
00:56:28 have made it to top five if
00:56:30 I took full credit for it,
00:56:32 because I'm not a
00:56:34 one-man show at all.
00:56:36 A little sad, because
00:56:38 again, it has come to a close
00:56:40 when you've invested
00:56:42 in something so much,
00:56:44 and only for it to come to an end,
00:56:46 although it is
00:56:48 a winning end, right? It's a happy ending.
00:56:50 It's a happy ending.
00:56:52 It's still a chapter that will come to
00:56:54 a close, and I'm just so grateful
00:56:56 for the memories, and I'm glad
00:56:58 that I got to take everything in
00:57:00 day by day. I actually brought a little notebook
00:57:02 while I was in Japan, so that every day I would
00:57:04 write down what happened. So at least
00:57:06 future Nicole would be like, "Oh yeah, that happened
00:57:08 on this day."
00:57:10 The experience for
00:57:12 Women's International is different. It's different now,
00:57:14 because before,
00:57:16 the International pageant
00:57:18 was the first thing before the coronation
00:57:20 night of the passing.
00:57:22 Now, the passing is the first thing.
00:57:24 It's such a strange
00:57:26 feeling, because you watch
00:57:28 the girls in your batch
00:57:30 compete before you.
00:57:32 You watch the previous
00:57:34 winner compete in your pageant.
00:57:36 You watch the crown
00:57:38 that you have nationally
00:57:40 be turned over to the next girl.
00:57:42 It's not easy,
00:57:44 right? You're only human,
00:57:46 and a part of you longs for
00:57:48 "When will my time come?"
00:57:50 And
00:57:52 I'm glad that I got to watch Hannah Arnold
00:57:54 during her
00:57:56 pageant in December,
00:57:58 because
00:58:00 it made me
00:58:02 feel like, "Hey, this weight is going to
00:58:04 be worth it, too."
00:58:06 Hello, Miss Hannah Arnold!
00:58:08 She's a friend to Santa Monica.
00:58:10 Did you get to interview her before?
00:58:12 Yes! She's a walking angel.
00:58:14 She's a walking angel.
00:58:16 You're beautiful, too.
00:58:18 You'll win this, right? You'll win the crown.
00:58:20 Any plans after Miss International?
00:58:22 Ooh, plans after?
00:58:24 Nothing is set in stone.
00:58:26 I'm going to be taking
00:58:28 opportunities as they come.
00:58:30 Maybe even try show business,
00:58:32 who knows?
00:58:34 For sure, I want to strengthen the impact
00:58:36 that Habitat has, because
00:58:38 before I left, they actually
00:58:40 mentioned that they wanted to work
00:58:42 with the youth,
00:58:44 get them more involved, because they're not
00:58:46 as...
00:58:48 Surprisingly, that's one of the
00:58:50 aspects that they're having a hard time with.
00:58:52 I said, "Hey, maybe I could help out."
00:58:54 I have yet to visit them,
00:58:56 because I just arrived last November 5,
00:58:58 and I'm doing the media rounds.
00:59:00 Hopefully, after that,
00:59:02 and until the end of time, we're going to be
00:59:04 working on that.
00:59:06 We're going to see a bigger, brighter world.
00:59:08 Maybe even go back to school,
00:59:10 since now that I have
00:59:12 the time to.
00:59:14 Let's get that degree!
00:59:16 Miss Nicole is studying.
00:59:18 What college are you in?
00:59:20 I'm not in any.
00:59:22 I'm studying interior design.
00:59:24 Interior design.
00:59:26 You're already in
00:59:28 your advocacy,
00:59:30 Habitat 45.
00:59:32 I'm studying this.
00:59:34 I think even during the pandemic,
00:59:36 people saw that value, right?
00:59:38 That's why people started getting plants,
00:59:40 redecorating.
00:59:42 You realize the moment you...
00:59:44 The time you spend so much in one
00:59:46 spot,
00:59:48 that affects you. Your environment
00:59:50 shapes who you are.
00:59:52 You have to ensure that the environment you are
00:59:54 is safe, that it's secure,
00:59:56 that it makes you feel productive,
00:59:58 makes you feel at peace.
01:00:00 I'm glad that interior design does that.
01:00:02 What do you want to be in showbiz?
01:00:04 Do you sing? Or art?
01:00:06 Hosting?
01:00:08 If not, I'll be in the police.
01:00:10 Let's see.
01:00:12 I believe in the growth mindset.
01:00:14 There's a lot I need to learn.
01:00:20 And I think I'm capable
01:00:22 of doing that.
01:00:24 You're learning.
01:00:26 It's like we're a host.
01:00:28 You should teach me!
01:00:30 It's so easy!
01:00:32 Last question.
01:00:36 Message to aspiring
01:00:38 beauty pageants.
01:00:40 To everyone who wants to join a beauty pageant,
01:00:46 I highly
01:00:48 encourage that you do.
01:00:50 My piece of advice
01:00:52 before you ever join
01:00:54 is to
01:00:56 know yourself
01:00:58 first. Take the time
01:01:00 to reflect on
01:01:02 each experience.
01:01:04 Because at the end of the day, there's
01:01:06 only one crown.
01:01:08 You have to think about what you'll be walking away
01:01:10 with. What do you want to
01:01:12 get out of this?
01:01:14 It's more than the crown.
01:01:16 It's about your growth.
01:01:18 It's about the friendships
01:01:20 you've made, the experiences
01:01:22 you get to keep with you for the rest of
01:01:24 your life. And of course, the
01:01:26 privilege of you not only
01:01:28 representing yourself, it's
01:01:30 thinking above that. It's
01:01:32 understanding that you're also representing
01:01:34 your province
01:01:36 and maybe even someday your country.
01:01:38 That's going to create
01:01:42 a ripple effect. You're going to be
01:01:44 making waves and you're going to
01:01:46 be in my shoes and
01:01:48 have people ask me this very
01:01:50 question of, "What would
01:01:52 you tell other people?"
01:01:54 Who would've thought I'd be here?
01:01:56 And it just
01:01:58 started with that, the reflections
01:02:00 and putting yourself out
01:02:02 there. Have you talked to Angelica?
01:02:04 She's the one who's been with us.
01:02:06 Actually,
01:02:08 we were together during the Christmas tree lighting
01:02:10 in Araneta, the giant Christmas
01:02:12 tree. My gosh,
01:02:14 it's really giant.
01:02:16 When I saw it in person, I was like,
01:02:18 "Whoa, how did they set this thing up?"
01:02:20 She's so lucky.
01:02:22 While I was in Japan,
01:02:24 actually, I told you I had a notebook.
01:02:26 I also wrote some notes down.
01:02:28 Let's call it a cheat sheet.
01:02:30 I made
01:02:32 little notes on things that I
01:02:34 wish I could've done better or
01:02:36 things that I completely
01:02:38 missed out on so that I could
01:02:40 talk about it with Angelica.
01:02:42 She has my number. I have hers.
01:02:44 I told her that she can message
01:02:46 me whenever.
01:02:48 My DMs are always welcome
01:02:50 to her.
01:02:52 It's really nice because
01:02:54 you can feel her
01:02:56 really good energy.
01:02:58 Yes.
01:03:00 Angel has a fight.
01:03:02 Have you interviewed her yet?
01:03:04 I did, but before
01:03:06 "Pinibini."
01:03:08 Before the coronation?
01:03:10 Yes, the Miss Universe one.
01:03:12 She has a very interesting and inspiring
01:03:14 story there.
01:03:16 I'm getting inspired by her.
01:03:18 Angelica's story is so beautiful.
01:03:20 We support her.
01:03:22 And the next fight.
01:03:24 And of course, Miss Nicole,
01:03:26 if you want to promote your socials.
01:03:28 Oh yes, please.
01:03:30 I'm on Instagram @nicole.voromeo.
01:03:32 Facebook as Nicole Voromeo.
01:03:34 And I'm trying to revive my
01:03:36 TikTok with the same handle
01:03:38 @nicole.voromeo.
01:03:40 We can see Miss Nicole
01:03:42 dancing.
01:03:44 We can go dance later.
01:03:46 We can go dance later.
01:03:48 For PEP, don't forget to
01:03:50 hit the like and subscribe button
01:03:52 to PEP.TV.
01:03:54 We also have social media accounts
01:03:56 @peplerts
01:03:58 on TikTok and Instagram.
01:04:00 @pep.ph on Facebook.
01:04:02 And we'll be chasing Miss Nicole.
01:04:04 By the way, I wanted to take this time
01:04:06 to invite all of you to please
01:04:08 support our fellow
01:04:10 "Pinibini," Miss Globe,
01:04:12 Anna Valencia-Lacrini,
01:04:14 as she'll be competing this November
01:04:16 17 for the title.
01:04:18 She's representing our country with so much pride.
01:04:20 And I think she has a
01:04:22 big, big chance for this
01:04:24 crown. She's already made it to, I think,
01:04:26 top one or top two?
01:04:28 Best in swimsuit.
01:04:30 Top three.
01:04:32 I think it was top two.
01:04:34 First runner up.
01:04:36 She is a force
01:04:38 to be reckoned with. So please do
01:04:40 support her for Miss Globe. As well as, of course,
01:04:42 our Miss Universe, Michelle D.
01:04:44 She's fighting.
01:04:46 She's got this. November
01:04:48 18.
01:04:50 We're marking our calendars.
01:04:52 Please do support our queens
01:04:54 representing the Philippines.
01:04:56 The pageant season is coming to life.
01:04:58 Good luck to those who will cover.
01:05:00 Just kidding.
01:05:02 And that's all, Pepsters.
01:05:04 Thank you so much
01:05:06 to all of those who have
01:05:08 talked to us and listened to us for today.
01:05:10 Follow us then @mrnicotwatson
01:05:12 on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
01:05:14 Once again, I'm
01:05:16 being bylone.
01:05:18 There, Nicotwatson.
01:05:20 Sorry, babay.
01:05:22 Support
01:05:24 who is this?
01:05:26 Our...
01:05:28 You should support Michelle D.
01:05:30 and Miss Globe.
01:05:32 Anna and Michelle.
01:05:34 It's her birthday.
01:05:36 I watched her birthday video.
01:05:38 She's beautiful.
01:05:40 She's special.
01:05:42 Thank you, Pepsters.
01:05:44 Bye-bye.
01:05:46 What's our ending?
01:05:48 [music]
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01:05:52 [music]
01:05:54 [music]
01:05:56 [music]
01:05:58 [music]
01:06:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]