What Nicole Borromeo loves about Japanese culture
MANILA, Philippines — Even before flying to Japan for the Miss International 2023 beauty pageant, Philippine representative Nicole Borromeo had already immersed herself in Japanese culture in preparation for the competition. The 61st edition of Miss International is happening on Oct. 26 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Borromeo expressed her fascination with Japanese culture during a recent courtesy call to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa at his residence. Prior to this, she visited Urasenke Tankokai Manila Association and learned about the etiquette in Japanese tea ceremony.
Koshikawa conveyed his support to Nicole, offered some insights and tips about Japanese culture, and shared his experiences of the harmonious Japan-Philippines bilateral relations.
“We are truly excited to see Ms. Borromeo represent the Philippines in the upcoming Miss International beauty pageant. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to her advocacy are truly inspiring. Ganbatte kudasai, Nicole-san!” the Japanese Embassy remarked in a statement.
Koshikawa and his wife, Yuko, hosted Borromeo, along with Aces & Queens head Gerry Diaz and general manager Mikee Andrei. They began with a traditional tea ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the Ambassador’s garden, and a glimpse of Koshikawa’s Voltes V figure collection.
“I’m very excited to represent the Philippines in your beautiful country. I’m coming in (not) only as a delegate of goodwill, beauty and peace but also as somebody proud to immerse in your culture (and) to bridge connections and embrace the diversity that we have to offer,” stated Borromeo, who impressed the guests by uttering some phrases in Japanese.
An anime fan, Borromeo shared she would binge-watch Naruto: Shippuden and Jujutsu Kaisen over the pandemic. She also admires the works of director Hayao Miyazaki of the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, Inc., saying, “It’s like actually made for kids but director Hayao Miyazaki’s animation style is so incredible. He does everything traditionally so it’s not like what we do now where everything is digital. This one, it’s all hand-drawn and if you look at it, you could really see the beauty of, like, the countryside of Japan. Everything is so visually aesthetic.”
The 22-year-old Cebu model visited Japan last December to support Miss International 2022 Philippine bet Hannah Arnold, who reached the Top 15. “Some of the best memories that I had there were actually walking around the temples, seeing the ponds and the gardens and just immersing myself with nature. It was wonderful. (I had) so many memories,” she recalled to The STAR.
“Another would also include visiting these Tokyo labs so they actually combined digital art with a full experience from the waters to the lights. So it really brings you to the present. And I think that’s something that embodies Japan as a country — that connection to the natural world.”
She pointed out the similarities between Japanese and Filipino cultures. “I would say (it’s) the coming together during meals. People in the Philippines spend so much time preparing the food and I think they do the same thing in Japan.
“And that’s the time we get to bond, that’s the time we get to share stories and I think that’s the aspect that’s very similar between the cultures.”
Borromeo is vying for the seventh Miss International crown for the country. The previous Filipino titleholders were Gemma Cruz-Araneta (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013) and Kylie Verzosa (2016).
She believes that the most essential qualities that a Miss International should have are curiosity, commitment, and courage.
Borromeo said, “When a person is curious they are more open-minded to things rather than looking at something different as bad or just not something that they would be open to.”
“(There has to be) commitment to the organization, to the values that they uphold, and to the kind image they want to provide for the public.
“Courage (because) this isn’t an easy task being in front of the camera or getting up early in the morning for all these events. To represent a beautiful country on an international stage, I think that requires a lot of courage.”
To vote for Nicole, one may visit https://missinternational.page.link/vote or download the app on the Apple Store or Google Play, click the “vote” tab, and choose “Philippines.”
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