MANILA, Philippines – On Friday, May 2, Ahtisa Manalo finally clinched the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown, besting 65 other candidates.
The 27-year-old beauty will represent the Philippines in Miss Universe 2025 on November 21 in Thailand, where the reigning queen, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig, will crown her successor.
Her victory, achieved on her third attempt, demonstrates the beauty queen’s grit, resilience, and dedication to the pageant world; this was also reflected during one of the coronation night’s shocking moments — Ahtisa took a stumble during the evening gown portion.
Tripping on her gown while descending the stairs, Ahtisa quickly got up with a smile and continued to work her runway walk. She used that as an example for her winning answer in the Q&A segment.
“I fell a while ago on stage. And the thing with me is, whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. Last year, I was here on this stage, and for the second time this year, I’m here, putting everything on this stage to be Miss Universe Philippines, because this is mine and my grandmother’s shared dream. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her,” she said.
As the first successful Binibining Pilipinas alumna who won the top title since the Miss Universe Philippines went to a different franchise holder in 2020, Athisa’s pageant journey is both grueling and inspiring, and an example of what never giving up can do.
Through her pageant years
Born on May 25, 1997, in Candelaria, Quezon, Ahtisa Manalo is of Filipino, Finnish, Spanish, and Swedish descent. Raised by her grandmother, she began participating in local pageants at the age of 10 to support her education. She later earned an accountancy degree in from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
Ahtisa first tried her luck in national pageantry for Reyna ng Aliwan 2017, where she represented the Niyogyugan Festival of Quezon Province and finished as second runner-up.
At the age of 20, Ahtisa competed for the Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 title and won, becoming the youngest winner that year. She represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018 in Tokyo, finishing as first runner-up to Venezuela’s Mariam Velazco.
In 2020, Ahtisa applied for Miss Universe Philippines but withdrew her bid due to health reasons, so that “she could focus on taking care of herself.”
Ahtisa made a comeback for Miss Universe Philippines 2024, where she was a fan favorite, winning eight special awards during preliminaries. She finished as second runner-up to Chelsea Manalo.
Following her 2024 performance, Ahtisa was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, where she represented the country at the inaugural Miss Cosmo pageant in Vietnam. She secured a spot in the top 10 while bagging the People’s Choice Award and Miss Cosmo Tourism Ambassador title.
Personal life
Ahtisa is also an entrepreneur, co-owning cafes in Australia called Cafe Noun and Call Me Harris. She has also played a role in expanding food brands like Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig Foods in the Philippines and abroad.
She is an advocate for youth development, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality, according to a GMA News interview. She has also worked with nonprofits like Alon Akademie that teach young individuals social skills and entrepreneurial education.
Ahtisa hopes to win the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown, following the victories of Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018). – Rappler.com