On her third attempt, Ahtisa Manalo finally bags MUPH crown

Photo courtesy: Miss Universe Philippines | Facebook

ANOTHER Manalo will represent the Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe competition!

After vying for the Miss Universe Philippines crown for the third time, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province finally won the coveted title.

The 27-year-old beauty queen was named Miss Universe Philippines 2025 during the national pageant’s coronation night on Friday, May 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. She bested 65 other candidates and succeeded Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and reigning Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo.

During the question-and-answer segment, Ahtisa was asked to share an event in her life where she led by example and the impact it made. She started answering by recalling her fall onstage during the evening gown segment, but she continued to walk with grace and confidence.

“I fell a while ago on stage. And the thing with me is whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger,” she said.

Ahtisa continued, “Last year, I was here on this stage and for the second time this year, I’m here putting everything on this stage to be Miss Universe Philippines because this is mine and my grandmother’s shared dream, and she passed away early this year. This is my ode to her.”

On X (formerly Twitter), many pageant fans lauded Ahtisa for her courage to stand up, show composure, and rebuild her momentum on the pageant stage despite the fall.

“She’ll bring such a beautiful story with her to Thailand—she stumbled, she fell… and then she recovered, stood up, and won,” a netizen said.

Filipinos also congratulated Manalo on her victory, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

“So proud of our bunso from BBP2018! Proof that you should never ever give up on your dreams! So proud of you Ahtisa!!!” Gray wrote on X.

‘Third time’s a charm’

Ahtisa proved that the third time is indeed a charm. It is a belief that the third attempt at something might be successful after two failed attempts.

Ahtisa first competed for the national crown during Binibining Pilipinas 2018, which was won by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Ahtisa still bagged the Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 title and was eventually named first runner-up at the Miss International 2018 pageant.

Fast forward to 2024, Ahtisa tried her luck again to win the Miss Universe Philippines title, representing Quezon Province. While she topped the final hot picks of the beauty pageant website Missosology, the coveted crown was bestowed upon Chelsea, who succeeded Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.

Meanwhile, Ahtisa was named second runner-up and was later appointed Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024. She represented the country at the Miss Cosmo 2024 competition, finishing in the Top 10.

As the new Miss Universe Philippines, Ahtisa will now represent the country in the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Pak Kret, Thailand, on November 21, 2025.

She will vie for the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe title.

Other winners

Following the coronation night, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization named the runner-ups and those who will represent the country in other international pageants. They are: