Ahtisa Manalo on public service: ‘Leadership requires self-knowledge and trust’

In a time when public service is often viewed through the lens of popularity and influence, Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo offers a grounded and thoughtful perspective on leadership.

In a recent interview, the 26-year-old beauty queen and former local government candidate spoke candidly about the responsibilities that come with running for public office — and why self-awareness should be at the heart of every campaign.

“As someone who was supposed to run as a town councilor in my town and had to quit,” Manalo revealed, “I want our leaders to have self-knowledge. To understand if they can actually do the job they are applying for, because it is a position of public trust.”

Having once contemplated a political career herself, Manalo’s experience gave her a deeper understanding of what it means to serve a community. Her decision to step away from politics, she explained, was a reflection of her values — and her desire to take on a role only when she felt truly prepared.

“They got to be trusted, they got to know what they are doing, and they got to make sure that they actually have the capabilities and skills to do the job they are applying for,” she emphasized.