PH bet Ahtisa Manalo ends up as 1st Runner-up in Miss International 2018

Ahtisa Manalo ended up as First Runner-up at the Miss International 2018 pageant held in Japan on Friday, November 9.

The 5'7" beauty queen from Candelaria, Quezon would have been the 7th Filipino to win the Miss International crown.

The last time a Filipina won the crown was two years ago, when Kylie Verzosa bagged the Miss International 2016 title.

But the night belonged to Ms. Venezuela, Mariem Velazco.

Interestingly, the statuesque Ms. Venezuela is celebrating her birthday on the day of her coronation. She succeeded Kevin Liliana of Indonesia. Mariem's big win is the 8th crown for Venezuela.

While she might not have walked away with the top prize, Ahtisa didn't disappoint.

In the final round, Ahtisa, who likes reading and swimming, delivered her speech with poise and calmness, like a true queen:

"Konbanwa.

"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 hard work and determination.

"And with these beautiful ladies with me tonight, a family of beauty queens, all beautiful, young dreamers and achievers, we will show the world that it's love, peace, and beauty that we truly care about.

"And together we shall make a difference.

"Domo arigatou gozaimasu."

Rounding up the top 8 were Japan, Romania, Ecuador, Colombia, Spain, and South Africa.

Crowd favorites Thailand and Indonesia made it to the Top 15, along with Mexico, Australia, Paraguay, Ukraine, and Madagascar.