Ahtisa Manalo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 late Friday evening, succeeding Miss Universe-Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo during the coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Wearing a pink dress styled in Hollywood glamour, Manalo stumbled during the evening gown segment of the Top 12 but later emerged as the winner, beating out 65 other contestants for the national title.
For the final Q&A portion, the 27-year-old Accountancy graduate addressed this question: “They say that a good leader leads by example. Tell us about one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made.”
Manalo responded: “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. Last year, I was here on this stage. And for the second time this year, I’m here putting everything on the stage to be Miss Universe Philippines, because this is my and my grandmother’s shared dream. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her.”
Manalo, a model and an entrepreneur from Candelaria, Quezon, joined the pageant for the second time.
A strong contender in the previous year, she finished as second runner-up and was later named the first Miss Cosmo Philippines. She sustained an ankle injury during the Miss Cosmo pageant in Vietnam, which limited her participation in some events and affected her performance.
In 2018, Manalo finished second to Catriona Gray and earned the title of Bb. Pilipinas-International. She went on to become first runner-up in that year’s Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan.
Initially hesitant to compete this year, she decided to return upon learning her province had no representative.
Teresita Marquez and Yllana Aduana were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
The other candidates who made it to the Top 6 were Katrina Llegado, who was named Miss Supranational Philippines 2025; Gabriela Carballo, appointed Miss Eco International Philippines 2025; and Chelsea Fernandez, who was named Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025.