Cambodian beauty queen is in the Philippines to train for Miss Universe 2022
Miss Universe Cambodia Manita Hang is in the Philippines to prepare for the 71st Miss Universe edition!
The 24-year-old beauty queen arrived in the country on her birthday, Sept. 7, and will undergo training under the beauty camp Kagandahang Flores (KF), the same camp that trained the likes of Binibining Pilipinas 2022 first runner-up Herlene Budol, Miss International Queen 2022 Fuschia Anne Ravena, and Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados. She will also engage in various advocacy-related activities as confirmed by its founder Rodgil Flores.
Since her arrival, Hang attended several events including the Mister International Philippines sashing ceremony, a courtesy call to Cantilan Mayor Philip Pichay, and a Charity Day at Canico P. Iriberri National High School in Surigao del Sur. She also stayed in Cebu for a week.
"Cebu experience has been unforgettable. Working with a passionate and loving team has truly conquered my heart and I will never forget all your blessings as well as all the memories we shared. Thank you for making me more Cebuana than I ever could imagine," she wrote on Instagram.
In an interview with Missosology, the French-Cambodian candidate shared her impression and experience in the Philippines. “So far, well, it’s big! It’s different from Cambodia but we can see that it’s still in Asia though, and it’s really, well, different and I’m really excited to see a lot more of the country.”
“We all know that the Philippines is well-known for beauty pageants, so I think this is the best country and a really good opportunity for me to be able to build up my skills for the competition,” she said when asked about her reason for training in the country.
Netizens, meanwhile, often likened the Cambodian delegate to former Miss World Megan Young and Ivana Alawi after being crowned in Phnom Penh last June 15. She is labeled as one of the edition's front runners in both national and forthcoming international events.
Hang is vying for their country's first-ever Miss Universe crown and will compete alongside Celeste Cortesi of the Philippines who just recently kicked off her pageant training.