Candelaria, Quezon native Ahtisa Manalo almost brought home the country’s 7th Miss International title after she was named first runner-up to Miss Venezuela Mariem Claret Velazco Garcia at the 58th edition of the pageant held at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, on Friday.
Garcia, a 20-year-old, student in Geophysical Engineering from Tiger province, Venezuela was crowned by last year’s winner Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia and became Venezuela’s 8th Miss International titlist.
Manalo, a 21-year-old, Accountancy graduate of Manuel Enverga University Foundation, could have tied Venezuela’s record had she won. Manalo finished ahead of Miss South Africa Reabetswe Sechoaro, 2nd runner-up; Miss Romania Bianca Tirsin, 3rd runner-up and Miss Colombia Anabella Castro, 4th runner-up.
The 77 delegates from all over the world paraded in their Evening Gown, Swimwear and National Costume where Manalo wore a Subanon-tribe native inspired costume from the indigenous tribe of Zamboanga.
Continental Beauties were Miss Singapore Eileen Feng, Miss International Asia; Miss Netherlands Zoë Amber Niewold, Miss International Europe; Miss Argentina, Rocio Perez Zuarez, Miss International America; Miss South Africa, Miss International Africa; and Miss Guam Diliana Tuncap, Miss International Oceania.
Manalo is the first Filipino beauty queen to win second place at the pageant held annually in Japan.