3rd Elimination Round

 Swimsuit standouts in Misamis Occidental presentation

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The Province of Misamis Occidental invited the delegates of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 for a cultural immersion. And the girls did not disappoint their fans and supporters who flocked to the AMORAP (Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort & Adventure Park) facility in Mindanao.

During the fashion show, the delegates gamely wore traditional costumes from local designers and scorched the runway in their swimsuits for its third elimination round, after Boracay and Mandaluyong.

At the culmination of the presentation, Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province) was declared Asenso Ambassadress of Goodwill for the Province of Misamis Occidental. She also joined five of her sister queens in being declared as swimsuit runners-up; together with

- Bella Ysmael (Taguig)

- Ysabel Cecilia Prats (Laguna)

- Allyson Hetland (Pampanga)

- Jenrose Javier (Sultan Kudarat)

- Apriel Smith (Cebu City), and

- Marian dela Cruz Arellano (Tarlac).

While, Bea Millan Windorski of La Union was declared the Best in Swimsuit.

It is also through the Swimsuit Round that the Wild Card slot will be given to an eliminated candidate who gets to be the most voted on the Maya app from now ‘til coronation night.

With Nicole also on the Top 3 of the Pina Beauty poll, placing second in the latest leaderboard with Muntinlupa and Sarangani (and with a remaining week for voting), she’s now assured of a Top 15 spot should she hold on to that spot til the canvassing closes.

If she wins that poll, she will have an automatic spot in the Top 7 with an assured title; depending on her finals performance that will warrant a title or runner-up placement.

After the Maya Top 10 qualifiers, it’s now the frontrunners’ time to tighten their screws, and really present their A-games, as the moment of reckoning, for the final ten in the Top 20, is fast approaching.

In a few days, we will know for certain!

Pageant aficionados who will miss the live final show at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 2, may still catch the encore telecast on May 3, 9 am, on the TV 5 network.

(Swimsuit lineup photo from Bong Tan)