Ahtisa Manalo did not hold back as she looked back on her Miss Universe 2025 experience, admitting that on coronation night, she truly believed the crown would come down to her and Côte d'Ivoire’s Olivia Yace.

The Filipina beauty queen opened up in Vice Ganda’s latest vlog, where she gamely shared what it felt like to stand on that global stage — this time from the perspective of someone who almost had it all.

“I was hoping that I would win. I really thought it was between me and Côte d'Ivoire that night because I was able to hear everyone’s answers,” Ahtisa said, recalling the tense but unforgettable moment.

Earlier in the competition, she admitted she barely saw how the other contestants performed because, like everyone else, she was focused on herself and her own battle. But when the final Q&A came, it became a moment of clarity.

“When you’re competing, you focus on yourself, you don’t focus on other people. Pero pag Q&A na, wala ka na magagawa doon, makikinig ka na lang,” she laughed.

“So I thought it was between me and Côte d'Ivoire. And syempre story ko ’to, so akong bida. Kung ako ’yung judge, ako ’yung panalo.”

During the final round, the Top 5 candidates were asked how they would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls. 

Ahtisa proudly spoke about her work with Alon Akademie, a non-profit organization that empowers the youth through education and entrepreneurship.

“I work with an organization called Alon Akademie where we provide opportunities to young people to help them realize that their circumstances do not define where they will go,” she answered onstage. 

“If given the Miss Universe platform, I want to continue ensuring that people from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else.”

Fresh from clinching 3rd Runner-Up in Miss Universe 2025, Ahtisa recently returned home to a hero’s welcome. She held her grand homecoming in Candelaria, Quezon, following two earlier parades in Manila and Pasay — proof that Filipinos remain immensely proud of her journey.

Meanwhile, Olivia Yace finished fourth runner-up and was named Miss Universe Africa & Oceania — though she later resigned from her continental title. Mexico’s Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe 2025.