Entertainment
4 Fast Facts About Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo
Published on May 3, 2025
Despite failing to take home the crown as Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Ahtisa Manalo showed everyone that this year's comeback is definitely hers! Ahtisa was just crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025!
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Here's everything you need to know about Ahtisa Manalo
1. Her comeback was a dedication to her grandmother.
2. She started her pageant journey in fourth grade!
Despite her unexpected fall during the evening gown competition, she showed the world what true queens are made of: strength, resilience, and grace under pressure.
Her performance during the Q&A proved exactly why she deserves the crown. Ahtisa handled the moment with composure, conviction, and heart.
"Whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. Last year, I was here on this stage and the thing with me is whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger," Ahtisa shared during the Top 5 Q&A.
Now crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025, Ahtisa shared that this isn’t her first time giving it her all. After placing second last year, she didn’t see it as a failure but as fuel for a more meaningful return. And this time, she brought with her a deeper source of inspiration: her late grandmother.
"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," Ahtisa expressed.
"Because this is mine and my grandmother's shared dream and she passed away early this year and this is my ode to her," she added.
2. She started her pageant journey in fourth grade!
ICYDK, Ahtisa's pageant journey didn't happen overnight. She's been joining competitions since Grade 4, slowly building her way to the global stage. It was in 2018 when she won Binibining Pilipinas International and placed 1st Runner-Up at Miss International that same year.
3. She is an LGBTQIA+ community ally.
Yes! Ahtisa is an advocate of equality and gender inclusion! And her support is one that hits close to home: she grew up with family, friends, and mentors who are part of the community. Ahtisa has always been a proud and vocal ally of the LGBTQIA+ community!
"I'm really strong when it comes to gender equality, when it comes to [the] LGBT community, I really try to speak about it, I call [out] someone who is being homophobic," Ahtisa said.
"I have family members who are gay, and I have a lot of friends who are gay also—my mentors, my friends, my supporters. I'm surrounded by gay people and the LGBT community," she added.
4. She is a food business owner.
Behind the scenes, Ahtisa is also carving her path as a businesswoman. Pursuing a passion that began in high school inspired her to take up Accountancy at the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation.
In a 2019 interview with PEP, Ahtisa shared that she’s been hands-on in running her own cafe business.
"I'm busy with my business. I have two cafes and I have a new company, so that's [how] I'm spending my time on now," she said.
"I think I was really meant for business ever since I was [at] a young age. So ngayon, I'm trying to find things to do, things to spend my time, maybe build an empire," she added.