Ahtisa Manalo misses Miss Cosmo 2024 activities due to sprained ankle
The Philippines' bet Ahtisa Manalo for the upcoming Miss Cosmo 2024 has suffered an injury, prompting her to miss some of the activities for the international pageant.
On its social media pages, The Miss Philippines organization announced that the country's representative experienced a sprained ankle, leading to her absence from recent activities, including an activity where Ahtisa can interact with supporters, sponsors, and other candidates.
Nonetheless, the local pageant organizer assured fans that Ahtisa is "safe and opted to rest so she can be well enough to take on the coming challenges."
"Thank you to the Miss Cosmo Org for attending immediately to Ahtisa and taking care of her every need. Please wish our Cosmo Queen well!"
Meanwhile, Ahtisa also took to her social media accounts to say she is "well and safe."
"I just need to rest to make sure my sprained ankle heals and recovers for the upcoming competition," she wrote.
"I’m sad to miss our activity today where I can interact with supporters, sponsors and other candidates but my health and recovery is my top priority now. Thank you, my loves! And wish me a speedy recovery para laban na ulit," she added.
Ahtisa was crowned as Miss Cosmo Philippines in May after finishing as the second runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
On Sept. 13, she won the “First Station” of the People’s Choice Award, where she earned a special "Hope Star" boost (x2 voting points) in the Big Bang—the final stage of the voting. She is also entitled to a private photo shoot, a VIP party, 24-hour media team support, and a chance to take over Cosmo’s Instagram page.
During the pageant's national costume round, Ahtisa paraded fashion designer Ehrran Montoya’s vibrant orange ensemble that depicts the Filipino mermaid character, Dyesebel. The costume has fabrics mirroring the ocean, shimmering scales, beaded patterns, and hand- and head-pieces similar to a mermaid’s tail.
The preliminary round for Miss Cosmo 2024 will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4, while its coronation night is on the following day. Both events, which will be hosted by Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, will be held at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Ahtisa has previously represented the country in Miss International 2018 and was crowned first runner-up.