By Nimfa Estrellado Ahtisa Manalo (Photo from Miss Universe Philippines - Quezon Province Official) CANDELARIA, Quezon - Ahtisa Manalo i...
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| Ahtisa Manalo (Photo from Miss Universe Philippines - Quezon Province Official) |
CANDELARIA, Quezon - Ahtisa Manalo is no stranger to the spotlight. Having captivated audiences as Binibining Pilipinas: International 2018 and Miss International 1st Runner-up, she's back on the national stage, this time vying for the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines 2024 crown. Representing Quezon Province, Ahtisa brings not only her undeniable beauty and talent but also a wealth of experience and a burning determination to represent the Philippines on the global stage.
Manalo is more than just her angelic face, which is definitely appealing and electric in nature. She is an LGBTQ advocate. An entrepreneur works with the Alon Akademie organization, which promotes "global citizenship, social skills, and entrepreneurial mindset" in children. She's 26 years old and stands 5'9". She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Candelaria branch of the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF). She is a Filipino model and beauty contest winner.
Her journey began at the young age of 16, when she embraced her statuesque beauty through local pageants. Her passion for pageantry continued with Binibining Niyogyugan in 2016, where she was crowned queen. Representing the Niyogyugan festival at Reyna ng Aliwan 2017, she secured the 2nd Runner-up title and six special awards, including Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. Ahtisa's dedication and talent were undeniable, and her journey was just beginning.
When asked about the relevance of the Bb. Niyogyugan Pageant, during the final question-and-answer round, Manalo said that “the livelihood of Quezonians is based on the coconut industry, which comprises almost 80% of the province’s agriculture. Quezon is not Quezon without coconuts.” She’s been trained by Aces & Queens since 2016.
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| Ahtisa Manalo (Photo from Miss Universe Philippines/FACEBOOK) |
Her first steps on the national stage came with Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth Philippines in 2014, where she stood out amongst the crowd. From that "awkward and gangly" teenager blossomed a confident, smart, and beautiful young woman, inspired by the likes of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
The year 2018 marked a turning point in Ahtisa's career. Crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, she went on to represent the Philippines at Miss International, where she impressed the world with her grace, intelligence, and advocacy for education. Her performance earned her the coveted 1st Runner-up title, solidifying her place as a force to be reckoned with in the world of beauty pageantry.
After her international success, Manalo took a brief hiatus from pageantry, focusing on her personal and professional growth. This time away only fueled her fire, and now she's back with renewed passion and a deeper understanding of herself and her purpose. Representing Quezon Province in Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is a homecoming of sorts—a chance to honor her roots and showcase her dedication to her country.
Manalo, with her experience, talent, and unwavering determination, is without a doubt Quezon's best candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2024. Her beauty is captivating, her intellect sharp, and her passion for education and empowerment shines through in everything she does. Ahtisa is not just a beauty queen; she's a role model, an advocate, and a true Filipina ambassador.
Nikki Deveza from Lucban in 2020, Charlene Jay Bailey from Pagbilao in 2021, Gracelle Nicole Distura from Lucena City in 2022, and Lesly Sim from Macalelon in 2023 have represented Quezon province in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant in the past years. These exceptional women have showcased the beauty, grace, and intelligence that Quezon Province is known for. Ahtisa Manalo follows in their footsteps, carrying the hopes and dreams of her province as she competes for the prestigious crown.
It was also recently announced that Mrs. Maxima "Emma" Suayan signed an accredited partnership with Miss Universe Philippines. Mayora Suayan and Manalo were both from Candelaria, Quezon, further highlighting the talent and potential that the province possesses.
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| Mayora Maxima "Emma" Suayan (Photo from Miss Universe Philippines - Quezon Province Official/FACEBOOK) |
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization announced on April 11, 2023, the launch of an Accredited Partners Program for selecting delegates from the 2024 edition onwards, which allows accredited partners to organize local pageants to send delegates to compete in the national pageant. The program replaces the pageant's application process, which has been in place since its inception, and requires applicants to go through a screening process before being confirmed as a candidate for the title.
National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee noted that the new format aims to "even the playing field" by allowing local organizers to provide resources to pageant delegates. Supsup-Lee compared the new procedure to that used in Miss USA, stating that the program will allow the pageant to "provide women in the provinces with an equal opportunity," noting that the previous process gave contestants based in Metro Manila a financial advantage.
The transformation doesn't stop in a bold move embracing age-defying beauty and seasoned wisdom, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and beyond scraps the upper age limit, welcoming women aged 29 and above to compete alongside younger participants, as long as they meet the minimum age requirement of 18. This resonates with the Miss Universe Organization's own recent decision to ditch the age limit on the global stage.
As Supsup-Lee eloquently stated, "Age is just a number. What matters most is the heart, the passion, and the determination to make a difference." This aligns perfectly with Jocelyn Cubales' inspiring story: at 69, she made history as the first senior citizen to compete in a local pageant affiliated with MUPO, proving that dreams and ambitions transcend age.
Reflecting the Miss Universe Organization's decision to scrap the age limit from Miss Universe 2024 onward, the pageant will allow delegates aged 29 and above to compete while observing the minimum age requirement of 18. Media outlets cited Jocelyn Cubales, who competed in Miss Universe Philippines—Quezon City at the age of 69, as the first senior citizen to compete in local pageants affiliated with the national pageant.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 promises to be a pageant unlike any other. Expect a vibrant celebration of diverse beauty, seasoned talent, and the unwavering spirit of Filipina women from all walks of life.With the Accredited Partners Program paving the way for wider participation and an inclusive age range, this is a competition poised to rewrite the rules of beauty pageantry and leave audiences captivated.
As of January 27, 2024, twenty-three contestants have been confirmed to compete for the title. These contestants come from various backgrounds and represent different regions of the Philippines, showcasing the country's rich cultural diversity. Each contestant brings her own unique story and perspective, making the competition even more exciting and unpredictable. The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant is set to be a platform for empowering women and breaking stereotypes, inspiring future generations of Filipina beauty queens.
Watch out for Ma. Ahtisa Manalo! Show your support for Ahtisa Manalo. Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheMissUniversePH/ for more details.
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