Maria Ahtisa Manalo(Tagalog:[mɐˈɾiaʔɐˈtɪsamɐˈnalɔ]) (born May 27, 1997) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder, who wonBinibining Pilipinas International 2018and represented the Philippines atMiss International 2018where she was first runner-up.
Ahtisa Manalo | |
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 Manalo in 2024 | |
| Born | Maria Ahtisa Manalo May 27, 1997 Candelaria, Quezon,Philippines |
| Education | Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation(B.Acy) |
| Beauty pageanttitleholder | |
| Title | |
| Major competition(s) |
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RepresentingQuezon,Manalo competed inMiss Universe Philippines 2024and was the second runner-up. She was the appointed to represent the Philippines atMiss Cosmo 2024where she finished in the top 10.
Early life and education
editManalo was born inCandelaria, Quezon,and is of Finnish, Swedish, Spanish, and Filipina heritage.[1][2]She attended theManuel S. Enverga University Foundationand graduated with a degree inaccountancy.[3]
Pageantry
editBinibining Pilipinas 2018
editManalo won Binibining Pilipinas 2018, on March 18, 2018, at theAraneta Coliseum.[4]During the final question and answer round, she was asked: "How should a beauty queen respond to ruthless criticism?" Manalo answered:
A beauty queen should always respond to criticism constructively. We beauty queens are public figures, and we put ourselves in the position to be judged. But nonetheless, we should always.. we should always filter which... which comments we should accept and what we should not.[5]
At the end of the pageant, Manalo was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 by outgoing titleholder Maria Angelica de Leon.[6][7]At age 20, Manalo was the youngest winner at the contest.[8]
Miss International 2018
editAs the winner of Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, Manalo represented the Philippines atMiss International 2018,held at theTokyo Dome City Hallon November 9, 2018. In the run-up to the competition, Manalo was identified as a favorite to win the contest from her performance during the pre-pageant activities.[9]
At the coronation night, Manalo competed with a gown by Filipino designerMichael Cinco.[10]During the top eight final speech, Manalo emphasized her eagerness to lead despite her youth, and vowed to continue being "the voice of the youth in showing that nothing is impossible with hard work and determination".[11][12]
Miss International is a celebration of youth and empowerment. I've always believed that age is not a barrier to reach our dreams or to have an impact on others. At 15, I started to help programs in my community for street children. At 19, I graduated college. At 20, I realized that I can speak for good causes to a wider audience that's why I joined our national pageant.
If I become Miss International, I would continue being the voice of the youth, in showing that nothing is impossible with hardwork and determination. And with these beautiful ladies with me tonight, a family of beauty queens [who are] all beautiful young dreamers and achievers, we will show the world that it is love, peace, and beauty that we truly care about. And together, we shall make a difference.[11]
At the end of the event, Manalo was first runner-up toMariem Velazcoof Venezuela.[13]At the end of her reign as Binibining Pilipinas International, Manalo crownedBea Magtanongas her successor at theBinibining Pilipinas 2019pageant.[14]
Miss Universe Philippines 2024
editManalo was second runner-up at Miss Universe Philippines 2024,[15]and was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024.[16]
Background
editFollowing the Miss International pageant, Manalo was identified as a potential candidate for future national pageants.[17]On January 31, 2020, she applied forMiss Universe Philippines 2020,[18]but withdrew due to medical issues.[19][20]Her withdrawal prompted accusations of her staging a publicity stunt, though, she clarified that she filed the application as late as possible as she was unsure of her decision to compete.[21]
On January 27, 2024, theMiss Universe Philippines Quezon Provincepageant announced that Manalo would represent the province atMiss Universe Philippines 2024.[22][23]In the run-up to the pageant, Manalo was seen as the "heavy favorite" to win the contest.[24]At the preliminary competition, Manalo won eight special awards from the pageant's sponsors, the most of any contestants that year.[25][26]
At the coronation night, Manalo competed with a gown designed by Cinco.[27]She would advance to the top five, where she was asked "Women learn from each other. What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned from another woman?". She responded:[28]
My grandmother put me through school, and the biggest lesson I learned from her is to always be kind. She is someone who has a big heart and has taken care of me since I was a kid. And I do think my grandmother is someone that I can look I do. She is someone that is an embodiment of what a great woman is.
Towards the end of the event, Manalo was announced as the second runner-up to the winner,Chelsea ManaloofBulacan.[15]Following the coronation, Manalo was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024.[16]Online, Manalo's finish was an upgrade to her first runner-up finish at Miss International 2018.[24]In response, Manalo confirmed that she chose the title, citing her experiences in the startup industry and her love for "being part of making something out of nothing".[29]
Miss Cosmo 2024
editManalo represented the Philippines atMiss Cosmo 2024,[30]reaching the top 10.
In the pre-pageant activities, Manalo won theFirst Stationof the People’s Choice Award, which guaranteed her entry into the top 10.[31]
During the national costume event on September 19, Manalo showcased an orange ensemble designed by Ehran Montoya, intended to resembleDyesebel,a popular fictional mermaid.[32]She was third in the “Cosmo People’s Choice” national costume poll.[33]She sustained asprained anklefollowing a stage accident during rehearsals.[34]
Advocacies and platforms
editManalo is anLGBTQadvocate.[35]Manalo works with the Alon Akademie organization, which focuses on enriching the "global citizenship, social skills, and entrepreneurial mindset" of children.[36]
Personal life
editIn an interview with thePhilippine Entertainment Portalon August 17, 2019, following her reign as Binibining Pilipinas International, Manalo stated that she has been running two cafés in Australia—Cafe Noun and Call Me Harris. Manalo also played a role in the creation and expansion of food brands such as Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods.[37]
References
edit- ^Vergara, Alex Y."Ahtisa Manalo: Dutiful & beautiful".Philstar.Archivedfrom the original on June 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo ready to conquer the Miss Universe stage: 'I'm a lot stronger now'".Manila Bulletin.Archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2024.RetrievedMay 9,2024.
- ^Mwendwa, Winfred (March 3, 2020)."Ahtisa Manalo profile: Bio, family, age, boyfriend".Kami.ph.Archivedfrom the original on June 12, 2023.RetrievedJune 12,2023.
- ^"Get to know Bb Pilipinas International 2018 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo".RAPPLER.March 21, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on June 4, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^Santos, Jamil (March 27, 2018)."What Bb. Pilipinas-International Ahtisa Manalo learned from her Q&A 'stutter'".GMA News Online.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2024.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe-PH to lead all winners in Bb. Pilipinas 2018 pageant".Interaksyon.March 19, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on March 1, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
- ^"FULL LIST: Top 10, Binibining Pilipinas 2018".Rappler.March 18, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2020.RetrievedJuly 14,2021.
- ^Villano, Alexa (March 21, 2018)."Get to know Bb Pilipinas International 2018 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo".RAPPLER.Archivedfrom the original on June 4, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (November 4, 2018)."Philippines almost wins Miss International 2018".Philstar.Archivedfrom the original on April 4, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"WATCH: Miss International PHL 2018 Ahtisa Manalo wows in gorgeous Michael Cinco gown".GMA News Online.November 9, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2018.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^ab"Ahtisa Manalo delivers Miss International 2018 speech".ABS-CBN News.November 9, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo finishes first runner-up in Miss International 2018".news.abs-cbn.November 10, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on June 12, 2023.RetrievedJune 12,2023.
- ^"Venezuela's Mariem Claret Velazco Garcia wins Miss International 2018".RAPPLER.November 9, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on July 19, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Gazini Christiana Ganados is crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019".RAPPLER.June 9, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^abAbad, Ysa (May 22, 2024)."Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo is Miss Universe Philippines 2024".RAPPLER.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^abPurnell, Kristofer."LIST: Miss Universe Philippines 2024, 4 more titles' winners; special awards".Philstar.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Bracamonte, Earl D. C."LIST: Filipina queens who could bring back The Philippines to Miss Universe Top 16".Philstar.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2023.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo withdraws Miss Universe Philippines bid".RAPPLER.February 2, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2023.RetrievedJune 20,2023.
- ^Severo, Jan Milo."Miss International 2018 1st runner-up Ahtisa Manalo backs out from Miss Universe Philippines 2020".Philstar.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo backs out of Miss Universe Philippines race".ABS-CBN News.February 3, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2021.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo cries foul over 'publicity stunt' accusations".ABS-CBN News.February 3, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo to represent Quezon Province in Miss Universe Philippines 2024".Philippine Star.January 27, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 27,2024.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo returns to pageantry as Quezon Province's rep for Miss Universe Philippines".GMA News Online.January 27, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 27,2024.
- ^abMallorca, Hannah (May 23, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo's Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 title dismays pageant fans".INQUIRER.net.Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Bracamonte, Earl (May 21, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo sweeps Miss Universe Philippines 2024 preliminaries special awards".The Philippine Star.Archivedfrom the original on May 21, 2024.RetrievedMay 21,2024.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province bags 8 special awards in Miss Universe Philippines 2024 prelims".GMA News Online.May 22, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Diaz, One Carlo (May 23, 2024)."Gowns by Dubai designers shine on Miss Universe Philippines stage".The National.Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Mallorca, Hannah (May 23, 2024)."TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Top 5 Q&A segment".INQUIRER.net.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Adina, Armin P. (June 11, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo confirms she chose to receive Miss Cosmo Philippines title".INQUIRER.net.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
- ^Basina, Carby (May 23, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo named Miss Cosmo PH, Alexie Brooks hailed as Miss Eco International PH".GMA News Online.Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2024.RetrievedMay 25,2024.
- ^Concepcion, Eton B. (September 15, 2024)."Miss Cosmo PH Ahtisa Manalo wins people's choice award".Manila Standard.RetrievedSeptember 28,2024.
- ^"Ahtisa Manalo transforms into" Dyesebel "for Miss Cosmo International 2024's National Costume Show".PEP.ph.RetrievedSeptember 28,2024.
- ^Adina, Armin P. (September 28, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo in Top 3 of Miss Cosmo 2024 'national pride' poll".INQUIRER.net.RetrievedSeptember 28,2024.
- ^"Miss Cosmo PH Ahtisa Manalo recovering from ankle injury after stage incident in Vietnam".ABS-CBN.September 30, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 30,2024.
- ^Acar, Aedrianne."#PanaloSiManalo: What you should know about Miss International 2018 First runner-up Ahtisa Manalo".gmanetwork.Archivedfrom the original on June 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
- ^Castillejo, Dyan (January 27, 2024)."Ahtisa Manalo ready for the Miss Universe stage".ABS-CBN News.
- ^"Beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo chooses food business over luxury items".PEP.ph.Archivedfrom the original on August 7, 2022.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
