Manita Hang (Khmer: ហង្ស ម៉ានីតា; born 7 September 1998) is a French-Cambodian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Cambodia 2022.[1] She represented Cambodia at the Miss Universe 2022.[2][3]
Manita Hang | |
|---|---|
ហង្ស ម៉ានីតា | |
| Born | 7 September 1998 Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Education | Lycée français René Descartes de Phnom Penh CamEd Business School |
| Occupation(s) | Model Beauty pageant titleholder |
| Height | 1.67 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Tourism Cambodia 2015 Miss Tourism Metropolitan Cambodia 2016 Miss Universe Cambodia 2022 |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Tourism Cambodia 2015 (Winner) Miss Tourism Metropolitan 2016 (2nd Runner Up) Miss Universe Cambodia 2022 (Winner) Miss Universe 2022 (Unplaced) |
Early life
editManita Hang was born on September 7, 1998, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She grew up in a multicultural environment, with a Cambodian father and a French mother, which gave her a diverse perspective from an early age. This blend of cultures influenced her worldview and allowed her to connect with both Cambodian traditions and Western influences.
Manita was raised in Phnom Penh, where she pursued her education. She attended private schools in Cambodia, which laid the foundation for her language skills, allowing her to become fluent in English, French, and Khmer. This linguistic ability later helped her during her pageantry journey and in her communication on the international stage.
Before venturing into the world of beauty pageants, Manita was known for her dedication to education and personal growth. Her early life experiences, growing up in a rapidly developing Cambodia, shaped her passion for representing her country and promoting its rich heritage on a global platform.
Pageantry
editMiss Tourism Cambodia 2015
editManita started her beauty pageant career in 2015, she was crowned Miss Tourism Cambodia 2015.[4]
Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2016
editOn November 18, 2016, Manita represented Cambodia at Miss Tourism Metropolitan 2016 at Nagaworld Hotel in Phnom Penh and placed 3rd runner up to Amanda Obdam, who represented Thailand and entered the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2020.
Miss Universe Cambodia 2022
editOn June 15, 2022, Manita won the Miss Universe Cambodia 2022 pageant. Her major breakthrough came in 2022 when she was crowned Miss Universe Cambodia. This prestigious title allowed her to represent Cambodia on an international stage and gave her a platform to promote causes important to her, such as education and women's empowerment. Her win in the national competition was seen as a symbol of pride for Cambodia, as she embodied both modern elegance and respect for her country's traditions.
Miss Universe 2022
editFollowing her national success, Manita represented Cambodia in the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, one of the most prominent international beauty competitions. Competing alongside contestants from around the world, Manita showcased Cambodia's rich culture, elegance, and history. While she did not place in the top ranks, her participation helped put Cambodia on the global pageant map, increasing visibility for her country in future pageants.
Advocacy and Impact
edit1. Education and Youth Empowerment Manita is a strong advocate for education and youth empowerment, believing that access to quality education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty in Cambodia. Growing up in a country with a developing educational system, she understands the challenges faced by many young Cambodians, particularly girls, in gaining access to education.
As Miss Universe Cambodia, she emphasized the importance of providing educational opportunities to underprivileged communities. Manita has worked with local organizations to support efforts to improve literacy rates, provide scholarships, and promote vocational training for Cambodian youth. She often speaks about the transformative power of education, encouraging young people to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they may face.
2. Women’s Rights and Gender Equality As a woman who has experienced the challenges of gender inequality, Manita has been vocal about the need for greater gender equality in Cambodia and beyond. She advocates for the empowerment of women, focusing on increasing opportunities for women in education, business, and leadership roles. Through her platform, she raises awareness about issues like domestic violence, gender-based discrimination, and the lack of opportunities for women in rural areas.
Manita has participated in campaigns that promote women's rights and has worked to highlight successful women in Cambodia to inspire others. She emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and personal development for women, believing that women should be empowered to take control of their futures.
3. Promoting Cambodian Culture Manita is deeply passionate about promoting Cambodia’s rich culture and heritage. As a representative of her country on the global stage, she uses her voice to share the beauty of Cambodian traditions, art, and history with the world. She often highlights Cambodia's unique cultural elements, such as traditional clothing, music, and dance, in her pageant appearances and public engagements.
By sharing her culture, Manita helps combat stereotypes and misconceptions about Cambodia, bringing attention to the positive aspects of her country’s history and its modern achievements. This cultural diplomacy is an important aspect of her advocacy, as it helps to boost national pride and international recognition for Cambodia.
4. Health and Well-Being Manita has also focused on raising awareness about health and well-being, particularly mental health, which is a growing concern in Cambodia. She advocates for greater access to mental health resources, believing that mental well-being is just as important as physical health. Through her platform, she has encouraged open conversations about mental health struggles, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding the issue in Cambodian society.
Additionally, she supports initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and wellness, particularly for women and young people.
5. Charity and Community Outreach Manita has been involved in various charitable initiatives throughout her career. She has worked with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local charities to provide support to vulnerable communities, including distributing food, clothing, and essential supplies to those in need. Her outreach work extends to orphanages and shelters, where she provides not just material assistance, but also emotional support and inspiration.
By being hands-on in her charitable efforts, Manita serves as a role model, showing that beauty queens can make a tangible impact on society.
Long-Term Impact While her reign as Miss Cambodia and her participation in Miss Universe have ended, Manita continues to use her platform to support her advocacy work. She remains an influential figure in Cambodia, inspiring young people to pursue their dreams and encouraging her fellow citizens to take an active role in their communities. Her long-term goal is to continue working in areas where she can create sustainable change, especially in education and women's rights.
Manita Hang's legacy as a beauty queen goes beyond pageantry, as she has made lasting contributions to her country through her advocacy work, and she continues to strive for positive change in Cambodian society.
References
edit- ^ "Hang Manita - Khmer Times". Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ Phanith, Sorn. "៦ ចំណុចធ្វើឲ្យ ហង្ស ម៉ានីតា គ្រងមកុដ Miss Universe Cambodia 2022". Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ "Miss Universe Cambodia 2022 crowned last night - Khmer Times". 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ "Miss Tourism វគ្គជម្រុះផ្ដាច់ព្រ័ត្រយប់មិញ មានបេក្ខនារីកូនកាត់អឺរ៉ុបចូលរួមប្រកួត" (in Khmer). Retrieved 2022-09-05.