AT A GLANCE
Miss Philippines Asia Pacific International 2024 Blessa Ericha Figueroawill represent the country in this year's Miss Asia Pacific International, in a venue still to be announced.
Miss Asia Pacific International (MAPI) returns with a vengeance after a five-year hiatus with no less than two beauty queens comprising its top management.
It was announced that effective immediately, beauteous lawyer Eva Psychee Patalinjug, who was Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018, will assume MAPI's presidency while Mutya ng Pilipinas 2002 first runner-up Kristine Caballero Aplal will be the General Manager of the prestigious organization.
Eva and Kristine are taking over the duties of outgoing president Jacqueline Tan Sainz and former General Manager Essa Santos-Gogna who both expressed confidence that they are leaving MAPI in the hands of two able leaders with ample experience in the field of beauty.
Also announced in a media conference at Sheraton Hotel Manila were the appointments of International Affairs Director Onin Mas and Sales/Marketing Director Eldrin Veloso.
Eva, who is engaged in private practice in her hometown of Cebu, observed how she has come "full circle."
"I believe that If an opportunity is open and is given to you, you say yes. Even if you don't know how to do it, then learn it afterwards. Because once in a life, an opportunity like this will never come back," she noted.
"I am more resolved in making sure that we appreciate the power of this platform, the dreams it can realize, and the voices it can amplify," Eva added. "As a platform that champions diversity, we should adopt, if not lead, in making the pageantry circle a bit bigger and more inclusive."
At this point, she announced two very important changes that will be implemented in the 2024 pageant. "Miss Asia Pacific International will now be open to married women and mothers as we recognize the platform has to be more open to diverse voices. We are also increasing our age limit up to 30 years old."
Christine pointed out that "Beauty In Diversity" was an advocacy that Miss Asia-Pacific International started a few years back.
"We're so happy and excited to see more pageants actually going the same route. We're seeing such a good, positive movement about beauty, beauty standardsalso improving and widening," she remarked.
The next Miss Asia Pacific International pageant will be held sometime in September or October. Contestants from 54 countries joined the last competition in 2019 which was won by Chaiyenne Huisman of Spain. Officers revealed that new countries will be added to the roster this year.
"Some countries have never joined Miss Asia Pacific International. But they will be joining us for the first time in this year's edition. So that's something that everyone can look forward to," Eva excitedly said.
Miss Asia-Pacific International first came into the picture as the "Miss Asia" contest in 1965 with 18 countries participating. MAPI suspended the holding of the pageant after 2005. It was revived only after 11 years, or in 2016 with its crowned queen Tessa le Conge from the Netherlands.
The Philippines has won in the prestigious pageant for a record five times. The title holders are Maria Inez Zaragoza (1982), Gloria Dimayacyac (1983), Lorna Legaspi (1989), Michelle Aldana (1990) and Sharifa Akeel (2018).
Miss Philippines Asia Pacific International 2024 Blessa Ericha Figueroa will represent the country in this year's Miss Asia Pacific International, in a venue still to be announced.
