Ahtisa Manalo on being Miss International 2018 1st runner-up: Never in my wildest dreams

Ahtisa Manalo may have won first runner-up in the Miss International 2018 pageant, but the 21-year-old Philippine bet believes she would never have done it without all the love from her supporters.

In her video message posted on Facebook shortly after the coronation on Friday, Ahtisa said: "Never in my wildest dreams have I imagined being crowned as a first runner-up in a pageant that shows genuine advocacy for the kids and young women."

"To everyone who has genuinely and generously shared their love, support, and encouragements, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat," she added.

"I wouldn't have achieved this if it wasn't because of you all," Ahtisa said.

Twenty-one-year-old Ahtisa Manalo gracefully walks on stage wearing a Michael Cinco gown at the 58th Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Manalo was named first runner-up. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

The Philippines' bet Ahtisa Manalo exudes confidence in the Miss International 2018 pageant's swimsuit event on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Manalo was named first runner-up. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Miss International 2018 winner Mariem Claret Vlazco Garcia (center) from Venezuela poses with 4th runner-up Anabella Castro Sierra of Colombia (left), 2nd runner-up Reabetswe Sechoaro of South Africa (2nd from left), 1st runner-up Maria Ahtisa Manalo of Philippines (second from right) and 3rd runner-up Bianca Tirsin of Romania (right) during the Miss International beauty pageant coronation night in Tokyo on November 9, 2018. Behrouz MEHRI / AFP

In the video, she gave a special shoutout to her fanbase and the folks in Quezon, her home province.

"Hello po sa lahat ng Pilipino na nanood ng Miss International! Maraming maraming salamat po sa suporta 'saka sa mga nasa Quezon Province, sa lahat ng 'Ahtistahin', sa lahat ng naniniwala sa akin, maraming salamat," she said.

For the victory of yet another Filipina beauty queen, Binibining Pilipinas extended their congratulations to their doll-faced "bunso".

"Your beauty and character made you stand out as a true Binibini. You are truly an inspiring Filipina everyone can look up to. We are proud of you, and will continue to support you in your journey," Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. chair Stella Marquez-Araneta said.

"We are so proud of you Ahtisa, for your first runner up finish! #MissInternational2018??," Binibining Pilipinas said in a post on Facebook.

—Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News