Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777878154124BeFunky-collage (4).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>(Left to right) Miss Universe Philippines 2026 candidates Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province, Apriel Smith of Cebu City, and Allyson Hetland of Pampanga. MUPH/Facebook </div>Three standout candidates from Cebu Province, Cebu City, and Pampanga reflected on their journeys after securing spots in the Top 7 of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 pageant held Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Representing Cebu City, Apriel Smith said making the Top 7 validated her personal journey.&quot;I was so very happy. My transformation, my growth is really worth it,&quot; she shared, adding that the swimsuit competition was her favorite part of the coronation night.She also voiced support for eventual winner <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/5/3/bea-millan-windorski-determined-to-win-ph-s-5th-miss-universe-title-1033">Bea Millan-Windorski</a>. &quot;Ilaban mo ang Pilipinas into the global stage… she deserves it,&quot; Smith said.Allyson Hetland of Pampanga, on the other hand, described her Miss Universe Philippines experience as life-changing.&quot;It really opened so many doors for me… I learned so much about myself,&quot; she said, noting the friendships she has formed with fellow candidates.&quot;I made lifelong friends. So I&#x27;m very grateful and very blessed to be here.&quot;Hetland admitted reaching the Top 7 was already her goal. &quot;Cloud nine… the goal was to get in Top 7, and we got it. So thank you, Lord,&quot; she said.Like Smith, she also backed Millan-Windorski&#x27;s victory.&quot;Bea is so deserving of the crown… all of us, her sisters, will be here supporting and cheering on her,&quot; she added.Another Cebuana, Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province, expressed a mix of emotions following the pageant.&quot;A mix of joy, relief, excitement. I don&#x27;t have enough words,&quot; she said.Beyond placement, Borromeo emphasized personal growth as the most meaningful takeaway.&quot;It&#x27;s not really about the outcome, but what kind of person you&#x27;ve become,&quot; she said. &quot;I feel like if you can handle Miss Universe Philippines, you can conquer the whole universe.&quot;Borromeo encouraged aspiring candidates to join the competition if they feel called to it. &quot;If your heart pulls you to it the way it pulled mine, I&#x27;d say go for it… With or without a crown, you really walk away a completely different person,&quot; she said.The three candidates were among the final seven in the national pageant, which crowned Millan-Windorski as the country&#x27;s representative to the Miss Universe competition later this year in Puerto Rico.

Three standout candidates from Cebu Province, Cebu City, and Pampanga reflected on their journeys after securing spots in the Top 7 of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 pageant held Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Three standout candidates from Cebu Province, Cebu City, and Pampanga reflected on their journeys after securing spots in the Top 7 of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 pageant held Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Cebu, Pampanga bets reflect on emotional Top 7 finish in Miss Universe PH 2026

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Cebu, Pampanga bets reflect on emotional Top 7 finish in Miss Universe PH 2026

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 04, 2026 03:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Miss Universe Philippines

beauty queens

pageants

Apriel Smith

Nicole Borromeo

Allyson Hetland

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