Ahtisa Manalo rises to win Miss Universe Philippines 2025
MANILA, Philippines — Pageant veteran Ahtisa Manalo is taking home the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title after being crowned at the end of the coronation ceremony held in Mall of Asia Arena on May 2.
The beauty queen from Quezon Province bested 65 other hopefuls, many of them pageant veterans like her, including Teresita Ssen "Winwyn" Marquez and Yllana Marie Aduana.
Ahtisa had an eventful evening, highlighted by a stumble during the evening gown portion, which she referenced in a strong Question and Answer segment response.
She was asked by host Xian Lim to share an event in her life that she lived by example, as a good leader does, and the impact it made on others.
"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," Ahtisa began, which earned a round of applause from the crowd.
"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," Ahtisa ended.
Even with the fall, Ahtisa — a batchmate of Catriona Gray in 2018 and a 2nd runner-up last year — finally claimed the elusive Miss Universe Philippines crown, succeeding her fellow Manalo, Chelsea.
Earlier in the competition, Ahtisa won five sponsored awards: Miss Jewelmer, Miss Hello Glow, Miss Vitress, Face of Mags (along with fellow finalists Winwyn Marquez and Yllana Aduana), and Zonrox Colorsafe (with Marquez and another finalist Kat Llegado).
Ahtisa will represent the Philippines in the 74th Miss Universe pageant taking place in Thailand later this year.
Coincidentally, the country's fourth and most recent Miss Universe title was won by Gray in Thailand back in 2018.
