Planong ibigay ang korona sa Espanya ng dating University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) reporter at University Santo Tomas (UST) alumna Angelique Manto sa pagsabak nito sa Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH).
Si Manto, na nag-apply para sa ikaapat na edisyon ng Miss Universe Philippines, ay 26 taong gulang na bukod sa dating pagiging reporter ay isang vlogger, social media influencer, model, at TV host.
Tubong Lubao, Pampanga, ang aspiring Miss Universe Philippines ay nag-aral ng AB Communication Arts sa Unibersidad ng Sto. Tomas sa Maynila.
Siya ay isang dating courtside reporter na nagko-cover ng basketball para sa "Sports and Action" ng ABS-CBN.
Diwata, nabudol nga ba ng sinalihang party-list?
Hindi na bago sa mundo pageantry, si Manto ay nakoronahan bilang Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2014, Mutya Ning Lubao 2014, at Miss TSITP 2013 2nd Runner Up.
Sa pag-apply para sa MUPH, muling binalikan ni Manto ang mga alaala kasama ang kaniyang ama nang magwagi siya bilang Miss Pampanga taong 2014.
"Today feels like a full circle moment for me — my last memory with my dad was him carrying me on his wheelchair as I won Miss Pampanga back in 2014. Eight years ago, on February 13th, my dad took his last breath. I was seconds too late from catching the bus that would've brought me back home in his arms — I missed the opportunity to bid my last goodbye to him, it has been my biggest regret since," ani Manto.
"So when you ask me how important today is — it means the universe to me. It's as if this was all made to happen today. That I get to finally take the leap towards my dream, our dream, on the day I will always remember my papa. An opportunity I dare not waste, I will not regret."
"I know he’s always been proud of me but will even be prouder than ever before as I assume an old promise – this is an ode to my dad."
