Miss Sta. Cruz Aliya Rohilla was crowned as the new Miss Manila 2024 besting at least 100 other Manileñas who initially applied for the prestigious pageant.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan personally hand over the bouquet of flowers and P1 million cash and crown to Rohilla on Saturday night, June 22 at the Metropolitan Theater.
The mayor said Rohilla has a huge task ahead as she will be serving as the face of Manila during her reign.
She also congratulated Rohilla along with the other winners during the competition.
- Miss Manila Charity 2024 - Xena Ramos from Sta. Ana
- Miss Manila Tourism 2024 - Leean Jame Santos from Manuguit
- Miss Manila 2024 1st Runner Up - Jubilee Acosta from Espana
- Miss Manila 2024 2nd Runner Up - Daniella Moustafa from Tayuman
Lacuna-Pangan also expressed pride for the 24 stunningly beautiful "Women of Worth" who worked hard and vied for the prestigious crown which according to Department of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Manila (DTCAM) Chief Charlie Dungo, was designed and meticulously crafted by renowned jewelry designer Manny Halasan.
The coronation, which was aired live, had the following persons for its panel of judges:
- Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, President of GMA Films and GMA Worldwide;
- Joy Marcelo, Vice President of Sparkle GMA Artist Center;
- Reghis Magdangal Romero II, founder of RMR Capital, Inc.;
- Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo and;
- Charo Santos-Concio, member of the Board of Directors at ABS-CBN
The featured performers were "Millennial Singer-Songwriter" Jeremy G., "Kapuso Soul Princess" Thea Astley, "Romantic Crooner" David Young and Miss Manila 2023 Gabrielle Lantzer.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel and Kapuso star Gabbi Garcia hosted the event.
Lacuna-Pangan said that all contestants met the criteria including being single, female, aged between 18 and 30 years old, and a bonafide resident of Manila.
The lady mayor said the pageant is a project of the city government aiming to look for Manileñas who embody the values of empowerment and leadership to deliver meaningful contribution to the city.
"A Miss Manila must be a woman of worth who is true to herself and who has to love herself first before she can love others, embody the traits of a true Manileña and must be a strong advocate of all the rights of all women, a true leader, a nurturer and a change maker," she stressed.
The pageant started in 1998 under the administration of Mayor Alfredo Lim, and was discontinued during the pandemic. It was relaunched under the Lacuna-Pangan administration.
From the Top 100 selected from the online application, only Top 50 was chosen for the face-to-face audition by the Miss Manila Executive Committee, until the number was trimmed down to 24.