Former Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo has been appointed as the official delegate of Quezon Province for Miss Universe Philippines 2024. This time, she's ready to conquer the Miss Universe stage.

"When I joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2018, I was very young - 20. I didn't feel I could utilize the platform to explore my full potential. And now, at 26, I have many life experiences, and I've grown a lot. I feel like now I can utilize the platform very well," said Ahtisa during an interview for ABS-CBN on Saturday.

In 2018, Ahtisa won first runner-up at Miss International. In 2020, She filed an application for Miss Universe Philippines but decided to withdraw at the last minute.

"I don't think I was ready then. I had a lot of growing to do. It felt like it was only two years after Bb. Pilipinas. I didn't think I had anything new to offer," she said.

Ahtisa, 26, she's ready for pageantry again.

"I feel like I'm a lot stronger now. I can handle many more things better, and I also feel like being an entrepreneur has helped me utilize my skills and see the potential that the Miss Universe Philippines platform has," she said.

Ahtisa recalled she had joined pageants in Quezon in elementary school.

"I was born in Candelaria, Quezon. I grew up there most of my life. I spent 20 years of my life. I only left for Bb. Pilipinas. I started joining pageants when I was in fourth grade because I wanted to help my family by sending me to school. So they're the ones who've been sending me to school ever since I started kindergarten. 

"And I felt like I needed to help, and my pageant, then Little Miss Inverga, had one-year free tuition if you won, so I don't have anything to pay. So doon ako nagsimula mag-pageant because I saw the potential in helping my family and myself," she said.

Ahtisa emphasized the significance of having good communication skills for a beauty queen.

"Communication skills are a big factor in being able to convey your thoughts. You don't need to speak a specific language and be fluent in one, but I think it is important to be able to make people understand what you mean," she said.

The beauty queen also discussed her advocacy. "I'm working with Alan Academy. It is an organization where we believe that the best way to empower children is through education and education, a holistic form of education that starts from a very young age, which teaches global citizenship, social skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset."