Ahtisa Manalo redefines what it means to be a queen

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo is challenging long-held pageant expectations, beginning with one of the most debated questions in modern competitions: Is advocacy required to be a beauty queen?

In the latest episode of Vice Ganda’s vlog released on 21 December, Manalo spoke with striking honesty about purpose, pressure, and what truly drives her on and off the pageant stage.

After years of competing in various national and international pageants, Manalo was asked by Vice whether her advocacies had evolved through time.

“Ang dami mo nang pageants na sinalihan. Iba-iba ’yong advocacy na binibitawan mo?” Vice asked.

Manalo’s response was clear and unapologetic.

“Ako, hindi. Kasi hindi rin ako naniniwalang you have to have an advocacy para maging beauty queen ka.”

While she acknowledged the importance of advocacies, Manalo emphasized that passion and sincerity matter more than obligation.

“I think it’s something that you’re passionate about, e. Ako, I just so happen to be passionate about youth empowerment and education kasi that’s based on my experience,” she explained, adding that every time she walks the ramp, she carries that personal conviction with her.

Long before the Miss Universe spotlight, Manalo had already been actively involved with Alon Akademie, a non-profit organization that champions youth empowerment through education and entrepreneurship. During the Miss Universe competition, she openly shared the work she does with the group:

“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 Akademie in a platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities like everyone else.”

For Manalo, the Miss Universe stage was never the end goal but a means to amplify work she had already committed to. Even after the competition, she confirmed that her partnership with Alon Akademie will continue—underscoring that her advocacy is lived, not manufactured for pageantry.

The vlog also touched on one of the most talked-about controversies of the Miss Universe 2025 season—the viral confrontation involving Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil and eventual Miss Universe winner Fatima Bosch of Mexico. Manalo, who witnessed the incident firsthand, recounted what happened during a pre-sashing event in November.

“Dumating siya tapos nagsabi siya there are 20 girls not cooperating with the organization daw. Sabi niya, ‘Oh, ta-taas niyo ’yung kamay niyo, sino ’yung 20 girls.’ Walang tumataas, ilang beses siya nagtanong,” Manalo narrated.

She said the tension escalated after no one responded.

“Siguro ’yung tita mo nagalit. Tapos ang ginawa niya, pinin-point niya si Miss Mexico,” she recalled.

Manalo added that the situation intensified after Bosch spoke up.

“Ewan ko sinong unang pumitik sa kanila, pero sabi ni Miss Mexico sa kaniya, ‘Do you just like drama?’ So siguro ’yung tita mo lalong nainis. Tapos pinatawag na ’yung security,” she said.

Addressing online claims that Nawat allegedly called Bosch “dumb,” Manalo clarified that she did not hear such remarks.

“Not according to my hearing, eh medyo bingi din ako, hindi ako sure,” she said.

On her Miss Universe 2025 finish, Manalo admitted she genuinely believed the crown was within reach. Listening to the final answers, she felt the competition had narrowed to just two contenders.

“Ako talaga of course I was hoping that I would win. I thought it was between me and Cote d’Ivoire during that night because I was able to hear everyone’s answer. Hindi ko man sila napanood kasi when you’re there, when you’re competing you focus on yourself, you don’t focus on other people. Pero kapag Q&A na siyempre wala ka nang magagawa so makikinig ka na lang. So I thought it was between me and Cote d’Ivoire,” she said.

Despite finishing as third runner-up, Manalo said she was fully prepared and mentally locked in that night.

“Feel na feel ko ’yun e… Pag di ka naging confident sa sarili mo, it will show. I prepared for it,” she shared, adding that she fought not only for herself but for the Philippines.

Vice Ganda reflected on how Manalo became a source of hope for many Filipinos during a challenging time.

“Sa dami nang sumuko at isinuko ang Pilipinas, ikaw inilaban mo pa kami at ipinananalo mo kami. Naniniwala ako na ipinanalo mo kami, nanalo tayo,” Vice told her.

“That was my hope,” Manalo replied.

The conversation also revisited one of the most traumatic moments of her pageant journey—a competition where the stage collapsed during rehearsals.

“Alam mo ba may pageant akong sinalihan na gumuho ’yung stage namin,” Manalo said, later recalling the injuries she sustained.

“Na-sprain ako, nagkaroon ng fluid ’yung bone marrow ko or something, hindi ako nakalakad. Tapos nag-wheelchair ako for a while, tapos lumaban ako ng prelims and finals na masakit ’yung ankles ko as in halos hindi ako makalakad,” she recounted.

Despite the ordeal, she pushed through amid fear and criticism.

“Para siyang ‘Final Destination’… bumabagsak ’yung scaffoldings… Tapos sabi ng mga tao nag-iinarte daw ako,” she added.

On a lighter note, Manalo confirmed she is currently in a new relationship.

“Bago lang kami,” she said, explaining that they do not track months or anniversaries and instead focus on work-life balance.

She also paid tribute to her mother, Elsie, who joined her in the vlog and whom she described as her biggest supporter.

“I wouldn’t be here kung hindi sa guidance niya at pagpapalaki niya sa akin,” Manalo said.

Through her words, Ahtisa Manalo offers a powerful reminder that crowns fade, controversies pass, and rankings change—but authenticity, courage, and purpose endure long after the final walk.