(From left) Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Binibining Pilipinas International Ahtisa Manalo, and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jezha Huelar pose for the press at Manalo’s send off party at the Novotel Araneta Center on October 11, 2018. PHOTO by Krissy Aguilar/INQUIRER.net’
“I’m not gonna go to Japan just to be the second best,” Binibining Pilipinas International Ma. Ahtisa Manalo declared during her send off party launched by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BBCI) at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center on Thursday.
Manalo gave assurances that she is well-prepared for the pageant and will make the Philippines proud.
“Rest assured that I am prepared for this journey. I took a month off after winning, but after that I started preparing in every possible way that I can,” she said.
Manalo shared that she received advice from past beauty queens like Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa and Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman.
She said their advice have something in common: “Just be humble. Just be yourself. Talk to as [many] people as you can and just always be the best that you are. Even though there’s no one looking, be the best that you are.”
At 21 years old, the youngest among this year’s Binibining Pilipinas winners, Manalo opened up about how being a beauty queen changed her perspective in life and her life itself.
“I need to think of everything that I’m going to say because I know young girls are looking up to me. In a way, it changed my life by me being more responsible in everything I’m gonna say and in all my actions,” she said.
Beauty queens Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar were present during her send off party to show their support.
Manalo, who won the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas International, will compete in the Miss International 2018 pageant set for November 9 in Tokyo. /ee