A CADET from De La Salle University Manila was crowned this year’s Miss ROTC or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Philippines, besting 16 other candidates in a one-of-a-kind pageant that advocates empowerment for young women in the military reserve force.

Althessa Patetico, a first-year BS Accountancy and Applied Economics student of DLSU, and representing the Philippine Navy, clinched the coveted title after several rounds of competition, including the battle dress uniform, athletic uniform, and general office attire stages, as well as the question and answer portion.

Patetico was awarded by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, the founder of the Miss ROTC search and the Philippine ROTC Games.

In his speech to open the pageant, Tolentino praised all the candidates, composed of the winners of the Miss ROTC regional qualifiers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, for being good role models to their peers and ambassadors of their school.

“I commend you for your grace, strength, and determination. Please continue to champion the ideals of discipline, leadership, and excellence among our youth,” the senator said.

Meanwhile, Jeraline Acosta of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic College, also Miss Philippine Army 2024 won as 1st runner up, and Radha Marie Cabug of PATTS College of Aeronautics, also Miss Philippine Air Force 2024 was 2nd runner up.

The Miss ROTC 2024 search kicks off the national championships of the Philippine ROTC Games, which will be held from August 18-24 in various venues in Tagaytay City and Cavite province.