The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo said she is “happy and content” after finishing as 3rd runner-up in the 74th edition of Miss Universe held in Bangkok, Thailand.
“I'm happy and content. I did my best. That's all I can do,” she said after the coronation night, adding that she delivered 100% of what she planned.
“I was very, very happy. As long as wala pang nakokoranahan, laban pa rin 'yon,” she shared, describing how she felt each time she was called into the Top 30, Top 12, and eventually the Top 5.
Manalo said she approached the question-and-answer segments with sincerity, making sure to “answer from the heart no matter what question they threw” at her.
On stage, she wore a white and silver Val Taguba gown.
As for her next steps after Miss Universe, Manalo said plans are still uncertain. “We're not sure what the arrangements will be. The only instruction is to wait," she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Filipinos who supported her throughout the competition.
“That's okay. Things like that happen, that's out of our control. But maraming maraming salamat po sa suporta at sa pagmamahal niyo and let's see what's next for me,” she said.
Manalo credited her journey to the people behind her. “This happened because of everything around me, my team, the fans, the organization, so I'm just really proud to represent the best I can,” she said.
When asked what lies ahead, the Filipina beauty queen said she remains open to new opportunities as it's already her last pageant. “There are more things to life than pageantry,” she ended.
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