Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas (born 29 July 1983) is a Filipino model and beauty pageant titleholder who was the first Filipino delegate to win the Miss Globe International 2001,[1] and represented the Philippines in the 2004 Miss Universe pageant.
Maricar first gained national attention upon competing in the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant three times (2000, 2001 and 2004). In her first attempt she was unplaced and on the second attempt she placed 2nd runner-up, hence, was sent to represent the country in the Miss Globe International in Istanbul, Turkey, in the same year and win. In 2004 she joined Binibining Pilipinas again and eventually won Binibining Pilipinas Universe title.[2]
