MANILA, Philippines – Miss International 2018 First Runner-up, Ahtisa Manalo will conquer the Miss Universe Philippines stage once again representing Quezon Province after her five-year-break in Pageantry.
Ahtisa officially announced this information on Instagram last Saturday, January 27, which was more than a week after Miss Universe Philippines–Quezon Province had been hinting at the identity of their representative.
“She is a woman of substance, known for her unique qualities and exceptional capabilities. She is an authentic embodiment of a young and empowered Filipina. Her character is full of grace, intelligence, and grit. Her beauty is tender yet powerful,” the post said in a previous teaser.
Ahtisa, 26 , was bestowed with her official sash in a unique ceremony arranged by the province.
During the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas, she surpassed expectations as the youngest contestant and clinched the prestigious Miss International Philippines title.
In that very year, Ahtisa’s fellow contestant Catriona Gray secured the Miss Universe Philippines title and later emerged as Miss Universe 2018. Simultaneously, Ahtisa achieved the 1st runner-up position at Miss International 2018 held in Tokyo, Japan.
“When I joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2018, I was very young – 20. I didn’t feel I could utilize the platform to explore my full potential. And now, at 26, I have many life experiences, and I’ve grown a lot. I feel like now I can utilize the platform very well,” Ahtisa said during an interview.
“I don’t think I was ready then. I had a lot of growing to do. It felt like it was only two years after Bb. Pilipinas. I didn’t think I had anything new to offer,” she said.
Ahtisa is prepared to venture into the world of pageantry once more.
“I feel like I’m a lot stronger now. I can handle many more things better, and I also feel like being an entrepreneur has helped me utilize my skills and see the potential that the Miss Universe Philippines platform has,” she said.
Ahtisa also reminisced about participating in Quezon-based pageants during her elementary school years.
“I was born in Candelaria, Quezon. I grew up there most of my life. I spent 20 years of my life. I only left for Bb. Pilipinas. I started joining pageants when I was in fourth grade because I wanted to help my family by sending me to school. So they’re the ones who’ve been sending me to school ever since I started kindergarten,” she said.
“And I felt like I needed to help, and my pageant, then Little Miss Inverga, had one-year free tuition if you won, so I don’t have anything to pay. So doon ako nagsimula mag-pageant because I saw the potential in helping my family and myself,” she added.
The beauty queen also shared about her cause or advocacy.
“I’m working with Alan Academy. It is an organization where we believe that the best way to empower children is through education and education, a holistic form of education that starts from a very young age, which teaches global citizenship, social skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset,” she said.
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