Get to Know Miss Manila 2024 Aliya Rohilla | ABS-CBN
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Get to Know Miss Manila 2024 Aliya Rohilla
Get to Know Miss Manila 2024 Aliya Rohilla
Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso
Published Jul 16, 2024 02:08 PM PHT
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Updated Jul 16, 2024 10:51 PM PHT
Sta. Cruz’s Aliya Rohilla, 22, was recently crowned as Miss Manila 2024. The newest titleholder bested over 100 hopefuls who auditioned for the pageant and now reigns as the city’s official ambassador.
Sta. Cruz’s Aliya Rohilla, 22, was recently crowned as Miss Manila 2024. The newest titleholder bested over 100 hopefuls who auditioned for the pageant and now reigns as the city’s official ambassador.
During the coronation night last June 22 at the Metropolitan Theater, Aliya was personally congratulated by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, who joined her on stage to present the one-million peso worth of cash prize.
During the coronation night last June 22 at the Metropolitan Theater, Aliya was personally congratulated by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, who joined her on stage to present the one-million peso worth of cash prize.
“I feel surreal. I think it just recently sank in to me after a few days that I have been crowned as Miss Manila—that I actually won Miss Manila,” the beauty queen shared in an exclusive interview with Metro.Style.
“I feel surreal. I think it just recently sank in to me after a few days that I have been crowned as Miss Manila—that I actually won Miss Manila,” the beauty queen shared in an exclusive interview with Metro.Style.
“Last year, I’ve been eyeing to joining the pageant but I didn’t make it because I also had other endeavors to focus on,” Aliya told us. “I really worked hard for months before the coronation night. I think, really, hard work pays off.”
“Last year, I’ve been eyeing to joining the pageant but I didn’t make it because I also had other endeavors to focus on,” Aliya told us. “I really worked hard for months before the coronation night. I think, really, hard work pays off.”
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Before her participation in the prestigious competition, Aliya revealed that she delved into what the pageant is all about. She took her time watching its segments and the series of activities that the contestants had to go through to be able to learn more about the platform’s mission.
Before her participation in the prestigious competition, Aliya revealed that she delved into what the pageant is all about. She took her time watching its segments and the series of activities that the contestants had to go through to be able to learn more about the platform’s mission.
As to what her takeaways are as a delegate, Aliya looked back: “Joining Miss Manila has given me this inseparable bond with the organizers, with the creative department, and most especially, pageantry sisters.”
As to what her takeaways are as a delegate, Aliya looked back: “Joining Miss Manila has given me this inseparable bond with the organizers, with the creative department, and most especially, pageantry sisters.”
Additionally, Aliya attributes her sense of motivation to her dedication to the craft. Her advocacies and desire to give back to the community made her more goal-oriented and purpose-driven, making her Miss Manila stint a unique undertaking.
Additionally, Aliya attributes her sense of motivation to her dedication to the craft. Her advocacies and desire to give back to the community made her more goal-oriented and purpose-driven, making her Miss Manila stint a unique undertaking.
She shared, “The Miss Manila pageant is not just a one-time pageant. Until now, the journey still continues so I would say that when you’re dedicated towards winning the crown, when you’re dedicated towards that responsibility, I think that really changes you as a person.”
She shared, “The Miss Manila pageant is not just a one-time pageant. Until now, the journey still continues so I would say that when you’re dedicated towards winning the crown, when you’re dedicated towards that responsibility, I think that really changes you as a person.”
Get to know newly-crowned Miss Manila 2024 Aliya Rohilla and read through some interesting facts about her below:
1. She was previously diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
During her conversation with Metro.Style, Aliya admitted she has been struggling with panic attacks. “Joining Miss Manila, which is a really big pageant, I had to prepare myself mentally. What I did was I went back to my core. At some point, I really have to focus on what makes me strong mentally,” she opened up on how she coped with her condition.
During her conversation with Metro.Style, Aliya admitted she has been struggling with panic attacks. “Joining Miss Manila, which is a really big pageant, I had to prepare myself mentally. What I did was I went back to my core. At some point, I really have to focus on what makes me strong mentally,” she opened up on how she coped with her condition.
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2. She mainly focused on polishing her communication skills before joining the pageant.
Besides her pasarela, Aliya worked on brushing up her ability to express herself through her speeches. “I think that Miss Manila pageant focuses a lot on Q&A—whatever a woman has to say. You’re a woman of words, you’re a speaker, you are someone who advocates for the community,” she thought. “So I had to really prepare myself, especially my communication skills.”
Besides her pasarela, Aliya worked on brushing up her ability to express herself through her speeches. “I think that Miss Manila pageant focuses a lot on Q&A—whatever a woman has to say. You’re a woman of words, you’re a speaker, you are someone who advocates for the community,” she thought. “So I had to really prepare myself, especially my communication skills.”
3. She grew up a “boyish kid.”
Unlike many young girls, Aliya used to play a lot of toys for boys during her formative years. In fact, she is even inclined to watching male-oriented shows, military and aircraft documentaries, and the like, shaping how she perceives the world and the gender stigmas surrounding her.
Unlike many young girls, Aliya used to play a lot of toys for boys during her formative years. In fact, she is even inclined to watching male-oriented shows, military and aircraft documentaries, and the like, shaping how she perceives the world and the gender stigmas surrounding her.
4. Her maternal grandmother was a former beauty queen.
Taking inspiration from her Lola Betty, who was local beauty queen from Albay back in the day, Aliya started to show interest in pageantry at an innocent age. According to her, being a beauty queen runs in the family, so she followed in the footsteps of her predecessors. She said, “At some point, she asked me to continue the legacy of our family because I was the youngest granddaughter of hers.”
Taking inspiration from her Lola Betty, who was local beauty queen from Albay back in the day, Aliya started to show interest in pageantry at an innocent age. According to her, being a beauty queen runs in the family, so she followed in the footsteps of her predecessors. She said, “At some point, she asked me to continue the legacy of our family because I was the youngest granddaughter of hers.”
5. Her parents are both medical practitioners.
Aliya’s Arab father and Filipina mother both work as professionals in the healthcare industry. According to the Miss Manila 2024 titleholder, her mom is a registered nurse while her dad is an orthopedic surgeon.
Aliya’s Arab father and Filipina mother both work as professionals in the healthcare industry. According to the Miss Manila 2024 titleholder, her mom is a registered nurse while her dad is an orthopedic surgeon.
6. She is an aspiring pilot and aircraft mechanic.
Between her back-and-forth trips from Saudi to the Philippines and vice versa, Aliya got fixated on all things aircraft. “I used to spend a lot of my time in the airport and that’s when I thought that I love airplanes,” she recalled. “Most of the women I see in the airport are either on the front desk or [works] as a cabin crew, and most of the pilots I saw were males. I really wanted to sort of experience flying a plane or fixing the plane.”
Between her back-and-forth trips from Saudi to the Philippines and vice versa, Aliya got fixated on all things aircraft. “I used to spend a lot of my time in the airport and that’s when I thought that I love airplanes,” she recalled. “Most of the women I see in the airport are either on the front desk or [works] as a cabin crew, and most of the pilots I saw were males. I really wanted to sort of experience flying a plane or fixing the plane.”
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7. She was raised a Muslim.
Having been born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Aliya grew up being attuned to her Muslim roots. While her mom is a Catholic and despite being baptized in both religions, she was brought up in a traditional Muslim household. “I’m being raised as a Muslim by my mom and dad since I was eleven,” she noted.
Having been born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Aliya grew up being attuned to her Muslim roots. While her mom is a Catholic and despite being baptized in both religions, she was brought up in a traditional Muslim household. “I’m being raised as a Muslim by my mom and dad since I was eleven,” she noted.
8. She used to model for household brands.
Aliya’s foray into the entertainment orbit first came in the form of modeling. Back then, she used to model for beauty brand Ever Bilena and airline company AirAsia. “I’ve worked with different makeup artists and that’s what I do for a living for quite some time, but I don’t do that full-time because I’m a full-time student. It’s just that—like a side hustle for me,” she explained.
Aliya’s foray into the entertainment orbit first came in the form of modeling. Back then, she used to model for beauty brand Ever Bilena and airline company AirAsia. “I’ve worked with different makeup artists and that’s what I do for a living for quite some time, but I don’t do that full-time because I’m a full-time student. It’s just that—like a side hustle for me,” she explained.
9. She is fond of traveling.
Aliya is a jetsetter as she has traveled to several destinations here and abroad. She loves to commune with nature, and her local favorites are Boracay, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa. Internationally, she has also visited a few countries and was in awe of the beauty of Turkey and Malaysia’s natural landscapes.
Aliya is a jetsetter as she has traveled to several destinations here and abroad. She loves to commune with nature, and her local favorites are Boracay, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa. Internationally, she has also visited a few countries and was in awe of the beauty of Turkey and Malaysia’s natural landscapes.
10. She is a football player.
Growing up as the family’s only daughter, Aliya learned how to play soccer with her brothers. “One day, my dad asked me to play and he thought that I was good at it,” she narrated. “I did that since elementary until I was in high school where I was part of a team, and I am actually still part of BFC (Bachiller Football Club). During my free time I teach. I do free soccer coaching lessons for some kids in Albay.”
Growing up as the family’s only daughter, Aliya learned how to play soccer with her brothers. “One day, my dad asked me to play and he thought that I was good at it,” she narrated. “I did that since elementary until I was in high school where I was part of a team, and I am actually still part of BFC (Bachiller Football Club). During my free time I teach. I do free soccer coaching lessons for some kids in Albay.”
Learn more about Aliya and check out our Q&A with her:
How do you plan to spend your one-million peso cash prize?
“I wanna save up for the future. I think somehow I would really save up for whatever business I want. I think that I want to create a business which is sustainable and which would really last throughout time—not just to sustain me, but also to sustain my family. Because I have two younger brothers, I want to help them and also my parents, especially my parents are growing old. So I plan on doing that with my one million cash prize.”
“I wanna save up for the future. I think somehow I would really save up for whatever business I want. I think that I want to create a business which is sustainable and which would really last throughout time—not just to sustain me, but also to sustain my family. Because I have two younger brothers, I want to help them and also my parents, especially my parents are growing old. So I plan on doing that with my one million cash prize.”
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Who are the beauty queens that you look up to the most? Why do they inspire you?
“Catriona Gray! Fun fact about me: when I was 16, on my first pageant. I was crowned by Catriona Gray. It was a local barangay pageant organized by Mr. Jojo Bragais. He was actually one of the few people who saw my potential as a beauty queen. At the time, Catriona Gray just won Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe; she hasn’t won Miss Universe yet in Thailand. And Mr. Jojo Bragais was part of her team.”
“Catriona Gray! Fun fact about me: when I was 16, on my first pageant. I was crowned by Catriona Gray. It was a local barangay pageant organized by Mr. Jojo Bragais. He was actually one of the few people who saw my potential as a beauty queen. At the time, Catriona Gray just won Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe; she hasn’t won Miss Universe yet in Thailand. And Mr. Jojo Bragais was part of her team.”
What causes and advocacies do you intend to champion during your reign as Miss Manila?
“I’m an education advocate, that would be my top priority. Aside from that, as I’ve said before, my mom is a nurse and she also works as a community nurse. At a very young age, when I was in my teens, I was immersed in a lot of healthcare programs for the community. So I wanna work with Mayor Honey towards that, also in healthcare, especially in women and children’s healthcare. I wanna really immerse in that, so I would say that at first, my plan is to create a donation program in Sta. Cruz, which provides learning materials to unprivileged students in. As I’ve seen here in the Philippines, we have a lot of public schools, but the struggle that a lot of students are facing, especially those who are financially challenged, is the lack of learning materials—especially if you come from a family who prioritizes food. So I would say I would do that first.”
“I’m an education advocate, that would be my top priority. Aside from that, as I’ve said before, my mom is a nurse and she also works as a community nurse. At a very young age, when I was in my teens, I was immersed in a lot of healthcare programs for the community. So I wanna work with Mayor Honey towards that, also in healthcare, especially in women and children’s healthcare. I wanna really immerse in that, so I would say that at first, my plan is to create a donation program in Sta. Cruz, which provides learning materials to unprivileged students in. As I’ve seen here in the Philippines, we have a lot of public schools, but the struggle that a lot of students are facing, especially those who are financially challenged, is the lack of learning materials—especially if you come from a family who prioritizes food. So I would say I would do that first.”
What three adjectives best describe you as a person?
“I would say elegant, empowered, and purposeful. I would say that I’m a bit reserved, but at the same time, I have this aura that separates me among the rest. I think that’s what catches people’s attention, even though I don’t speak much. I have been an introvert as a person, so I think that’s something about me that I have, or a very few people have. Second is that I’m empowered, and by ‘empowered,’ I mean that as I continue to work towards the betterment of myself as an individual, I also aim to empower and make an impact on the people around me, and I empower myself as I empower others. Third is, I want to make my own legacy. I want to make a legacy through my advocacy, through the causes that I stand up for.”
“I would say elegant, empowered, and purposeful. I would say that I’m a bit reserved, but at the same time, I have this aura that separates me among the rest. I think that’s what catches people’s attention, even though I don’t speak much. I have been an introvert as a person, so I think that’s something about me that I have, or a very few people have. Second is that I’m empowered, and by ‘empowered,’ I mean that as I continue to work towards the betterment of myself as an individual, I also aim to empower and make an impact on the people around me, and I empower myself as I empower others. Third is, I want to make my own legacy. I want to make a legacy through my advocacy, through the causes that I stand up for.”
What advice do you want to impart to those who are also aspiring to be a beauty queen at a young age?
“I wouldn’t give them a typical advice; I would give them something that they would use, and something that I have learned throughout time. I would say to never give up, because this happens when you become a beauty queen. There are a lot of challenges; there are a lot of sepanx [separation anxiety]. You put yourself in a position where you will be judged, where people have their opinions around you, but always be true to your core. And once you’re true to your core, you never give up on that, you never give up on yourself, you never give up on your purpose. It will give you the strength to counter all the challenges that life has, what the journey would give you. And I think that’s what makes you really strong and would really help you towards success in this industry.”
“I wouldn’t give them a typical advice; I would give them something that they would use, and something that I have learned throughout time. I would say to never give up, because this happens when you become a beauty queen. There are a lot of challenges; there are a lot of sepanx [separation anxiety]. You put yourself in a position where you will be judged, where people have their opinions around you, but always be true to your core. And once you’re true to your core, you never give up on that, you never give up on yourself, you never give up on your purpose. It will give you the strength to counter all the challenges that life has, what the journey would give you. And I think that’s what makes you really strong and would really help you towards success in this industry.”
What’s next for you? What should your fans and supporters expect from you in the coming months?
“Miss Manila is an open door of opportunity. This will not be my last pageant. I will join a bigger pageant this year. I would say that. So yeah, if it’s in God’s will that I join a bigger pageant, then I definitely will.”
“Miss Manila is an open door of opportunity. This will not be my last pageant. I will join a bigger pageant this year. I would say that. So yeah, if it’s in God’s will that I join a bigger pageant, then I definitely will.”
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Lead photos from @ajcastrojose and by @missfitphilippines
Lead photos from @ajcastrojose and by @missfitphilippines
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