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Miss Asia Pacific International returns after 5-year hiatus

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Ganiel Krishnan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172776453384320241001071016_f31b8c9d05cbbfefa9193df0f7704d24911da84d6e3ae2f7506199685a9ad33d.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Photo by Ganiel Krishnan. </div>MANILA -- Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has made a grand comeback after a five-year break. In a press presentation held Tuesday, October 1, 33 candidates from around the world were introduced as they begin their journey toward the crown. The pageant, known for celebrating beauty in diversity, is set to culminate on October 7 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.Among the candidates is Keshia Lee Llarenas, a full-blooded Filipino representing Guam, who expressed her excitement about being part of the competition. “I’m so happy to be here and to represent the beautiful island of Guam. We haven’t had pageants in Guam since before the pandemic, so I’m honored and humbled to be here,” Llarenas shared.Guam is also breaking barriers in this year’s pageant as the age limit has been raised to 30, allowing Llarenas to compete. “I think I’m the oldest contestant! That’s one thing I really want to advocate for — beauty doesn’t have a time limit. It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are, you can do whatever you want as long as you set your mind to it.”Representing the Philippines is Blessa Ericka Figueroa, who couldn’t contain her excitement about fulfilling a long-held dream. “It’s officially the start of Miss Asia Pacific International. This is the first time being announced with our official sashes, and I feel very grateful. It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country, the Philippines, on the international stage, and I feel like I’m living that dream right now,” she said.From Singapore, 20-year-old graphic artist Alethea Yee is competing for the first time on the international stage. “I’m incredibly honored. Everyone here is just so gorgeous, and I feel like it’s surreal that I’m representing my country. At 20, I never expected that dreams come true,” she said. Yee is also excited to explore Filipino culture and try local delicacies such as balut, a fertilized duck egg, and adobo, a popular Filipino dish.At the press presentation, Miss New Zealand won the title of Darling of the Press, making her one of the standout candidates so far.As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the candidates as they prepare for the coronation night on October 7, where one of these remarkable women will be crowned Miss Asia Pacific International 2024.

Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has made a grand comeback after a five-year break.

Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has made a grand comeback after a five-year break.