The Miss Philippines-Cosmo 2024 Ahtisa Manalo in her ‘Dyesebel’ national costume. Image: Facebook/Miss Cosmo
Ahtisa Manalo brought her signature fans to the Miss Cosmo 2024 national costume competition. But instead of her usual feathers, she used fin-like accents for the creation inspired by “Dyesebel,” the most well-loved mermaid that graced pages and screens in the Philippines.
The new international pageant held the auxiliary competition show at the Thung Nham Ecotourism Area in the Hao Lu district of the northern Vietnamese province of Ninh Binh on Thursday evening, Sept. 19. The massive stage incorporated huge LED panels and collages of the participating countries’ different flags on both ends of the backdrop.
For Manalo’s costume, designer Ehrran Montoya took inspiration from the different iterations of “Dyesebel” from the pages of comics to movie and television screens, using the character’s signature orange hue. “The costume captures the essence of #FilipinoPopCulture with intricate, shimmering scales and flowing, ocean-inspired fabrics that evoke the beauty and grace of the mythical sea creature,” she posted on social media.
Manalo also brought a bubble machine discreetly incorporated in the costume that blew bubbles as she strutted down the runway. “This design is a celebration of both the rich heritage and the contemporary allure of Philippine comic book legends,” she posted on social media, also acknowledging the character’s creator, Mars Ravelo.
“More than just a symbol of myth and beauty, Dyesebel represents the power of storytelling in shaping our identity and connecting generations. Pop culture encapsulates the spirit of our shared heritage, blending tradition with contemporary artistry,” she continued.
“It deserves to be celebrated for its unique ability to unite people, inspire creativity, and keep our cultural legends alive in the modern world,” added Manalo, who has always used fans in her national costumes from the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas and 2018 Miss International pageants, to the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines competition. All of her previous costumes also had feathers.
Manalo is also taking over the official Instagram page of the Miss Cosmo pageant for 24 hours, which is part of her prize package for topping the “first station” of the “Cosmo People’s Choice” online poll. She also shared that she is currently leading the second stage of the online voting dubbed “National Pride,” which commenced after the national costume competition. The winner of the final stage will earn a guaranteed spot in the Top 10 during the finals.
A Top 21 slot, meanwhile, is at stake for the winner in another online poll that started earlier, which is the race for the “Cosmo Social Ambassador” award where Manalo has earned more than 1 million votes. For details on how to vote in both polls, visit the Miss Cosmo social media pages.
The 2024 Miss Cosmo pageant will hold its coronation night at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 5. The competition gathered more than 50 delegates from around the world.