Photo / Miss Universe
Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo was crowned 3rd runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 21, 2025.
This year’s Miss Universe is Fátima Bosch, Miss Mexico.
Manalo was joined by:
4th runner-up: Olivia Yacé, Miss Côte d’Ivoire
2nd runner-up: Stephany Abasali, Miss Venezuela
1st runner up: Praveenar Singh, Miss Thailand
Photo / Miss Universe
During the Q&A portion of the competition, reserved for the top five candidates, Manalo was asked, “As a global ambassador or citizen, what will be your contribution to humanity?”
She responded, “I want to be the hope of people. I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at 10 years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty. And if there’s anything that I want to show the universe, I’m here right now. I’m standing as Miss Universe because I was able to get myself out of any situation because I was hardworking, I was persistent, and I fight for what I want.”
The top five candidates were also asked the same question: “If you win the title of Miss Universe tonight, how would you use this platform to empower young girls?”
Manalo’s answer was, “I work with an organization called Alon Akademie where we work with young people to provide them opportunities to make them realize that it doesn’t matter what your life circumstances is, it doesn’t define where you will go. And I want to continue working with Alon Academy in a platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities like everyone else.”
Get to know Ahtisa Manalo
Ahtisa isn’t new to the international stage. Pageant fans first took notice when she placed first runner-up at Miss International 2018. After stepping back from competitions for health reasons, she returned in 2024 to finish second runner-up at Miss Universe Philippines and later competed at Miss Cosmo International, landing in the top 10 and taking home two special awards.
Her return to Miss Universe Philippines this year wasn’t something she initially planned—she had even filed her candidacy for municipal councilor in Candelaria. But a series of moments she interpreted as “signs” convinced her to give the crown one final try. Her third attempt paid off, officially earning her the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title last May.
Congratulations, Ahtisa Manalo! You made the Philippines proud.
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