For the first-ever Miss Cosmo International pageant, the Philippines found its representative in Ahtisa Manalo. A native of Quezon province, Ahtisa is already a beauty pageant titleholder, having been named Binibining Pilipinas International in 2018. For the Miss Cosmo competition, the former Miss Universe Philippines 2nd runner-up has made her way to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where she is currently competing for the crown.

Ahtisa Manalo wearing Mak Tumang for Miss Cosmo 2024

Yesterday, during Miss Cosmo’s jury session, Ahtisa walked the evening gown portion dressed in Mak Tumang: a celebrated name in Philippine pageantry. Known for his intricately crafted designs, Tumang was the one responsible for the creation of Catriona Gray’s iconic Miss Universe-winning Lava Gown in 2018.

For this year’s Miss Cosmo event, the Filipino designer challenges traditional pageantry expectations as he describes his creation for Ahtisa as “effortless, shapeless, goddess,” referencing Miss Cosmo host country Vietnam through the tranquil resilience of their national flower, the lotus. 'The gown was crafted using a soft and flowy chiffon accentuated with a repousse brass metal. On this occasion, I allude to the Occam’s razor principle that the simplest solution is almost always the best,' Mak said.

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Despite suffering from a recent ankle injury, Ahtisa has been confidently walking the Miss Cosmo stage, regaining her strength with grace. Still on the run to securing the crown, the beauty queen has already won the “First Station” of the People’s Choice Award and is now a top contender for the competition’s “Big Bang” stage.

Photos from @ahtisa on Instagram

Article written by Mavi Sulangi