MISS Asia Pacific International (MAPI) announced its return this 2024 in a press conference held at Sheraton Manila Hotel, Newport City last Monday.
Coming from a five-year pause due to the global pandemic, the long-running international beauty pageant that debuted in Manila in 1968 is about to open the stage once more — the search for its newest queen to represent the advocacy of diversity.
“There were times in the past that we felt pageantry had no place in a world riddled with global pandemic. But now that it is relatively safer to gather once more, we believe that Miss Asia Pacific International is a strong platform to raise the voices we need to hear today,” said MAPI president Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, who also announced her stepping down from the position.
The international pageant is coming back with reinvigorated energy as a familiar name in the industry takes on the challenge to lead the organization: Atty. Eva Patalinjug.
Fresh from her oath-taking as a newly-minted lawyer, the former beauty queen plans to bring her advocacy for pageantry as she succeeds Tan-Sainz.
“Ten years ago, I was Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International. But I never imagined myself to come full circle and lead the organization that crowned me with my first national beauty title!” exclaimed Patalinhug.
“In the current era where relevance has been a persistent question for the industry, I am more resolved in making sure that we appreciate the power of the platform – the dreams it can realize, the voices it can amplify,” she added.
As it champions “beauty in diversity,” MAPI is elevating the 2024 season with more inclusive guidelines, including opening the pageant to married women and mothers, as well as expanding the age limit to 30 years old.
Alongside the changes, MAPI general manager Essa Santos-Gagna also announced her stepping down to a consultant role. Kristine Caballero Aplal, the pageant’s headmistress for the past seasons, has been promoted to succeed her.
Completing the core group are international affairs and crown management director Onin Mas and sales and marketing director Eldrin Veloso.
Newly crowned Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines – Philippines 2024 Blessa Ericha Figueroa also graced the event.
MAPI 2024 is slated to hold its season activities in October.
