MARIA AHTISA MANALO: A QUEEN’S COMEBACK, CROWNED FOR THE UNIVERSE
Now headed to the global stage in Thailand, Ahtisa is set to carry the Philippine sash once again, this time with an even broader purpose.
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Daily TribuneNow headed to the global stage in Thailand, Ahtisa is set to carry the Philippine sash once again, this time with an even broader purpose.
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The top six candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo.
Maria Ahtisa Manalo’s journey to the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown is not a story of overnight success — it is a narrative of resilience, reinvention and remarkable heart.
Crowned on 2 May, the 27-year-old beauty from Candelaria, Quezon, will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Thailand this November. Her victory came not without challenges; in fact, she stumbled — quite literally — during the evening gown segment of coronation night. But if her fall proved anything, it was her unshakable poise under pressure and the power of persistence.
Ahtisa is no stranger to the pageant world. In 2018, at 20 years old, she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International and went on to place first runner-up at Miss International — a feat that firmly established her as one of the Philippines’ brightest pageant stars.
But the road to Miss Universe wasn’t straightforward. She withdrew from the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 race due to medical reasons, sparking rumors and criticism. She remained silent for a time, but never defeated. In 2024, she returned to the spotlight representing Quezon Province at Miss Universe Philippines and was an early favorite, even winning eight special awards. Yet again, she fell just short — finishing as second runner-up. Undeterred, she was appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, eventually placing in the Top 10 globally.
Behind the crowns and sashes, Ahtisa Manalo stands for more than just physical beauty. An advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a champion for youth development through the Alon Akademie organization, she is committed to causes that empower marginalized communities and future leaders. Her multicultural roots — Finnish, Swedish, Spanish and Filipino — enrich her global perspective, but it is her humble upbringing under the care of her grandmother that grounds her identity.
In the 2024 Q&A segment, Manalo spoke with emotion:
“My grandmother put me through school… the biggest lesson I learned from her is to always be kind.”
Her authenticity resonated far beyond the pageant stage.
Ahtisa’s recent Miss Universe Philippines 2025 win is arguably her most defining moment. Her grace during the evening gown mishap won the hearts of judges and spectators alike — proof that a queen doesn’t just walk flawlessly, she rises with dignity after every fall.
Her winning answer during the final Q&A asked how a beauty queen should respond to ruthless criticism. Her words echoed maturity and mindfulness:
“A beauty queen should always respond to criticism constructively… we should filter which comments we should accept and what we should not.”
This statement, rooted in experience and reflection, captured the essence of who Ahtisa Manalo has become — not just a beauty queen, but a woman of strength, compassion, and self-awareness.
Now headed to the global stage in Thailand, Ahtisa is set to carry the Philippine sash once again, this time with an even broader purpose. Her evolution from a young titleholder to a multidimensional woman shows that queens are not just born — they are built by courage, challenge, and choice.
Maria Ahtisa Manalo’s story is not just about chasing crowns. It is about staying true to one’s cause, rising through adversity, and using the platform to shape a more inclusive, inspired world. And come November, the universe will get to witness exactly that.
