Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo is proving to everyone that she’s crown-ready at the Miss Cosmo International 2024 pageant.
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Ahtisa proudly showcased her cultural attire during the pageant's national costume show held at the Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
Ahtisa looked ethereal in her national costume inspired by the iconic Filipino comic book character Dyesebel, and designed by Ehrran Montoya.
The ensemble boasted vibrant orange tones, included hand fans reminiscent of fins, and was embellished with crystal beads and oval-shaped details to emulate mermaid scales.
It also featured flowing, shimmering fabric designed to resemble the flukes of a mermaid tail.
Ahtisa showcased her national costume in a photo shoot with photographer Belg Belgica before departing for Vietnam.
After the national costume show, she shared these stunning images on her Instagram account.
Styling for the shoot was done by Patty Yap, with make-up by Sayti Tsai. Hairstylists Raymond Mateo and Jericho Valenzuela jointly recreated Dyesebel’s beautiful locks on Ahtisa.
In the caption of her post, Ahtisa shared more details about the inspiration behind her national costume.
She wrote, published as is: "This stunning Dyesebel-inspired ensemble, with vibrant orange hues and intricate, shimmering scales, brings to life the iconic Filipino mermaid from the beloved comic series.
"It captures the essence of Filipino pop culture, with flowing ocean-inspired fabrics that evoke the beauty and grace of this mythical sea creature.
"The design is a celebration of both the rich heritage and the contemporary allure of Philippine comic book legends.
"More than just a symbol of myth and beauty, Dyesebel represents the power of storytelling in shaping our identity and connecting generations.
"Pop culture encapsulates the spirit of our shared heritage, blending tradition with contemporary artistry.
"It deserves to be celebrated for its unique ability to unite people, inspire creativity, and keep our cultural legends alive in the modern world."
Ahtisa is currently one of the pageant's frontrunners, having won the "First Station" for the Cosmo People's Choice Award.
Read: Ahtisa Manalo wins "First Station" of People's Choice Award at Miss Cosmo 2024
This special award, which has three phases, guarantees the contestant a spot in the Top 10.
According to Miss Cosmo's Instagram post, the Filipina candidate will receive a “special 'Hope Star' boost (x2 voting points) in the Final Stage: The Big Bang, a private photoshoot, a VIP party, 24-hour media team support, and the chance to take over Cosmo’s Instagram for 24 hours.”
The grand finals will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 5, 2024.
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