Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo has concluded her Miss Universe 2025 journey as third runner-up during the international pageant’s coronation night held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 26-year-old beauty queen delivered strong performances in the preliminary, swimsuit, evening gown rounds, earning her a spot among this year’s finalists.
Ahtisa stunned in a white two-piece swimsuit during the swimsuit segment and a white gown by Filipino fashion designer Val Taguba during the evening gown portion.
This marks another solid placement for the Philippines at Miss Universe, bringing the country back in the Top 5 since Beatrice Gomez in 2021.
During the initial Q and A, Ahtisa Manalo pledged to be a symbol of hope as Miss Universe when asked about her contribution to humanity as a global ambassador or citizen.
“I want to be the hope of people. I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at 10 years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty. And if there’s anything that I want to show the universe, I’m here right now. I’m standing as Miss Universe because I was able to get myself out of any situation because I was hardworking, I was persistent, and I fight for what I want.”
While in the final Q and A, Ahtisa shared her vision to empower young girls if crowned Miss Universe.
“I work with an organization called Alon Akademie, where we work with young people to provide them opportunities to make them realize that it doesn’t matter what your life circumstances [are], it doesn’t define where you will go. And I want to continue working with Alon Akademie and a bigger platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people who come from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else.”
Mexico’s Fátima Bosch, meanwhile, was crowned Miss Universe 2025.
1st runner-up: Thailand – Praveenar Singh
2nd runner-up: Venezuela – Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser
3rd runner-up:Philippines – Ahtisa Manalo
4th runner-up: Cote d’Ivoire – Olivia Yace
