Ahtisa Manalo. Image: Official Instagram page of Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon Province
Pageant veteran Ahtisa Manalo is returning to the pageant scene after she was appointed to represent Quezon Province in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2024 tilt.
Manalo, who was named Miss International 2018 first runner-up, was declared as the representative of Quezon at a sashing ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 27 after speculations of her entering the national tilt made waves among pageant circles.
“I am delighted I can now finally share the news [with] everyone that I am Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon Province! This is just the beginning of our long journey together. I can’t wait to share more of what I’ve been preparing for,” she wrote on Instagram.
The Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon Province’s official Instagram page also announced Manalo as the province’s representative in the national tilt in a separate post.
“Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon Province 2024, Ma Ahtisa Manalo,” its caption read.
Manalo, who joins the country’s crop of crossover beauties in the national tilt, previously applied for the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 pageant but backed out due to “health issues.”
“I don’t think I was ready then. I felt like I had a lot of growing up to do,” she said in an interview with journalist Dyan Castillejo. “It felt like it had only been two years since Binibining Pilipinas and I didn’t think I had anything to offer to the pageant scene.”
When asked why she chose to join in this year’s edition, Manalo said she now has the “ability” to use her platform for the better. “I feel like now at 26, with much life experiences, I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I feel like I have the ability to use the platform very well.”
“I feel like I’m a lot stronger now. I can handle a lot more things in a better way. I feel like being an entrepreneur has allowed me to use my skills and moreover being able to see the potential that the Miss Universe Philippines platform has,” she continued.
The announcement marks Manalo’s return to the pageant stage after a six-year break. She previously competed at Binibining Pilipinas 2018 alongside Miss Universe titleholder Catriona Gray, where she settled for the Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 crown.
She was named as one of the frontrunners during her Miss International stint but finished as first runner-up to Venezuela’s Mariem Velazco.