Miss Int’l-Philippines Ahtisa Manalo: I'm not going to Japan to be second best

Miss International-Philippines Ahtisa Manalo has her sights set on the Miss International crown and has gone great lengths to bring it home to the Philippines.

"Rest assured that I prepared for this journey, I took a month off after winning (Binibining Pilipinas) but after that I started preparing in every possible way that I can," she said during her send-off at Novotel in Araneta Center Cubao on Thursday.

"I'm not going to go to Japan just to be the second best. I'm going to make the Philippines proud," she added.

Ahtisa has already mastered some basic Japanese greetings and phrases as the competition will take place in Tokyo. She said even started to add Japanese food in her diet to get her stomach used to the food that will be served to them throughout the pageant.

She also studied Japanese skincare, make up, and fashion to score the signature radiant, natural beauty that the country is known for.

"When I'm there I'm going to be prepared. I'm going to be able to talk to certain people, even just basic," she said.

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar send off Miss International Philippines Ahtisa Manalo for her Miss International pageant in Tokyo pic.twitter.com/YMOCYv9zpw

— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) October 11, 2018

Next Miss International?

Ahtisa was sent off with lots of love from her Binibining Pilipinas sisters during the send off.

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar both had sweet messages for their "baby girl," the endearment they call Ahtisa. The 20-year-old is the youngest of all the 2018 title-holders.

Jehza reminded her to have fun and have faith in God.

Catriona said with certainty that Ahtisa will be the next Miss International.

"You're just one of these people that you know when given the chance, their potential will explode. And that's why I've been telling you, you're our next Miss International," she said.

"I really believe you will do us amazingly proud," she added. —NB, GMA News