She may have fallen during her evening gown walk during the Top 12 round, but for Ahtisa Manalo, picking herself up and dusting herself off is part of the game—and part of life.
Manalo took the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown on May 2 in front of a roaring crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The 27 year old, who was born in Candelaria, Quezon, has been on a 17-year pageant journey, which came full circle tonight as she bagged the most prestigious local crown in the Philippines.
With eight special awards in the Preliminaries to boot, she also took home Miss Fairy Skin, Miss Smilee, Great Lengths iColor Plus, Miss Danielito’s Home Kitchen, Miss Hello Glow, Queen of Hearts Sleepwear, Miss Zonrox Color Safe, and Miss Aqua Boracay.
Manalo started joining pageants to earn money for her family. As early as 10 years old, she turned entrepreneurial, collecting bottles around their house at night to sell.
This entrepreneurial streak would later turn into a pursuit for a degree in accountancy from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
During the question and answer segment for the Top 6 candidates, Manalo—who was the last candidate—drew the last remaining question. She was asked: “A good leader leads by example. Tell us one event when you led by example, and about the impact that it made.”
She laughed, and referenced her earlier fall. “Well,” she said. “I fell a while ago on stage. And whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger.”
Manalo also spoke about her previous attempt at the crown, adding, “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. She passed away this year, and this is my ode to her.”
And what a fitting ode it is. Congratulations, Ahtisa!
