MISS Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo promises to give the Philippines “the best fight ever,” as she prepares for the pageant.
Ahtisa made the confident response as she was interviewed at the RepublicAsia Media’s headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.
It was half past 8 p.m. on Friday, but the studio brightened when Ahtisa entered in her pink sparkly tube dress, greeting the Gen Z staff with a radiant smile.
It has been a week since the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines coronation night, where the Quezon Province bet earned her ticket to the upcoming 74th Miss Universe competition. She succeeded Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo and will represent the country in one of the “Big 4” beauty pageants.
“It’s so surreal. I still can’t believe that I’m representing the Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe in Thailand,” Ahtisa shared when asked how it feels when she finally won the national title after three attempts. “I’m ecstatic, but I still feel like normal. I still feel like myself, I don’t think it has properly sunk in that I’m Miss Universe [Philippines].”
A pageant veteran, this is the third time Ahtisa will compete in a global tilt. Seven years ago, the 27-year-old Filipina beauty queen was named Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, the youngest candidate to be crowned at the age of 20 during the 2018 edition of Binibining Pilipinas. Ahtisa represented the Philippines at the Miss International 2018 in Tokyo, Japan, where she finished first runner-up.
In 2024, Ahtisa was announced as one of the candidates in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition, representing Quezon Province. Many rooted for her to win the national title this time, with some placing Ahtisa on top of their hot picks for the Miss Universe Philippines crown. But destiny had a different plan for her, and she ended up winning the Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 title. Ahtisa competed at the Miss Cosmo 2024 pageant, finishing in the Top 10.
With her triumph as the new Miss Universe Philippines, several pageant fans said that she is no longer the Philippines’ biggest “what if,” or “multo” in Gen Z’s term, in the pageantry world.
Gen Zs have given the term “multo” a deeper meaning, thanks to the hit song “Multo” by the young pop/alternative band Cup of Joe. For some, their “multo” could refer to a past romantic relationship, a wrong decision, or regret that still haunts them today. Looking back on her Miss Universe Philippines journey, Ahtisa also has her version of “multo,” and it was not another person but opportunities she missed because of self-doubt.
“When I joined Miss Universe Philippines this year, someone told me beforehand to stop missing opportunities because you think you’re not ready because you’re never gonna feel 100% ready for anything,” Ahtisa recalled. “Go there, take the opportunity, grab the opportunity, and when you’re there, trust that you are enough, trust that your life experiences will help you all throughout whatever journey you’re taking.”
Ahtisa took this advice, which led her to the Miss Universe Philippines crown on her third attempt.
“My ‘multo’ is doubting myself that I’m not enough, or good enough, or capable enough,” she said. But pageant fans, perhaps, would like to believe that Ahtisa is more than ready for the 74th Miss Universe competition, expressing excitement to see the “Pambansang Manika” slay on the international pageant stage.
As they say on social media, “Puksaan na sa Thailand.”
‘Pressured,’ but confident
Observing pageant fans online, one could say that their excitement for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant is on a different level, especially since the Philippines won through Catriona Gray the last time the prestigious competition was held in Thailand in 2018.
Asked if she is feeling any pressure as the Philippine bet this year, Ahtisa said:
“Of course, I’m pressured because I have big shoes to fill; Catriona won in the Impact Arena in Thailand. But for me, it’s more of—I think I’m at an advantage because Catriona has been supporting me all throughout my journey for the Miss Universe crown, and having her on my side, giving me tips for how to present my best and present the Philippines at our best in Thailand is such a great honor for me.”
Despite feeling pressured, Ahtisa is confident she would give the Philippines “the best fight ever” on the Miss Universe stage.
“I think we’ve always had that sash factor. When they say Philippines, inaabangan talaga tayo because we’re a powerhouse,” she said. The Philippines is considered one of the beauty pageant powerhouses, which has won in the “Big 4” pageants: four crowns for Miss Universe, one for Miss World, six for Miss International, and four for Miss Earth, as of writing. These recognitions gave the Philippines’ candidates in beauty competitions a sash factor.
“All throughout my life, I’ve fought for every opportunity that I’ve ever had, I’ve fought for the life I have right now, and everyone can trust that I’m gonna give the Philippines the best fight ever and I’m gonna make sure I’m well equipped in Thailand,” Ahtisa assured.
Another advantage the Philippines may have is Ahtisa’s advocacy on youth development, LGBTQIA+ rights, and gender equality. The Filipina beauty queen has partnered with Alon Akademie, a non-profit organization that allows the youth to develop “real entrepreneurial projects” and implement them. She has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and gender equality, having loved ones and friends who are part of the queer community and calling out those who are being homophobic.
“I’ve seen a lot of beauty queens who have these advocacies at heart. I think that a lot of us were here because we’re fighting for something, and we’re just lucky that we’re given a big platform to be able to share the things that we believe in,” Ahtisa explained.
She added, “I think, definitely, it is an advantage to be on that stage and you’re fighting for something because the drive and the passion are just different when you’re there for a bigger purpose.”
Next for Ahtisa
Since the coronation night last May 2, Ahtisa has been busy with media rounds and her responsibilities as the newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines.
She came to RepublicAsia’s headquarters, along with Miss Universe Philippines first runner-up Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez, Miss Eco International Philippines 2026 Gabriella Mai Carballo, and Miss Supranational Philippines 2026 Katrina Llegado. The Gen Z-dominated newsroom was also graced by the kings of Mister Pilipinas Worldwide 2025, Miss Universe Philippines CEO and President Jonas Gaffud, and Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag.
But moving forward, Ahtisa assured to do “all the assignments” and “all the hard work” that will equip her for the 74th Miss Universe pageant.
“Next for me? I hope the fifth crown for the Philippines,” she said, placing her two hands on top of her head as though putting on a crown. “You’re gonna expect that I’m really gonna work hard to represent every Filipino on that stage in Thailand.”
The 2025 edition of the Miss Universe competition is scheduled for November 21 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, where Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark is expected to crown her successor.
