7 hours Ago By N/A (Annalyn S. Jusay)
Ma. Ahtisa Manalo smiles in her first official portrait as the new Miss Universe Philippines 2025, wearing the pink embellished gown designed by Val TagubaMa. Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province began her pageant journey at the tender age of 10, culminating in her crowning as the new Miss Universe Philippines 2025 on May 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena - just two weeks short of her 28th birthday.
"From one Manalo to another," pageant fans observed as MUPH 2024 and Miss Universe Continental Queen for Asia, Chelsea Manalo, passed on the "La Mer en Majeste" crown designed by Jewelmer to Ahtisa.Ahtisa stumbled during the evening gown competition while going down the stage, but this did little to derail her momentum. She quickly got back up and drew even louder cheers from the crowd.
"I got caught on my dress, and then after I fell, all I wanted was to get back up," she told the media in a post-coronation interview.Asked what her plans are after the pageant, Ahtisa replied: "I will take a rest first, a little bit, and then see what my game plan is for Thailand." The 74th Miss Universe will be held at the Impact Muong Thong Thani Arena in Bangkok on Nov.
21.Ahtisa believes her joining Miss Universe Philippines 2025 was "meant to be." After a bittersweet finish in MUPH 2024, where she ended up as second runner-up, she was selected to represent the Philippines at Miss Cosmo 2024, held in Vietnam, where she placed in the Top 10.
"Honestly, I had so many signs before I could join Miss Universe (2025).The newly-crowned queen, Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo (center) poses with this year's MUPH Board of JudgesI wasn't even supposed to be in this year's Miss Universe. There was someone, and then she backed out.
I was even in Laoag. And I had to apply to get to the contract signing. And even that happened.
I felt like I was getting led on that road. So I followed it. That rarely happens," she revealed.
The other winners of MUPH 2025 are:Gabriella Mai Carballo of Cebu City - Miss Eco PhilippinesChelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat - Miss Cosmo PhilippinesMa. Katrina Lllegado of Taguig - Miss Supranational PhilippinesTeresita Ssen Marquez of Muntinlupa - 1st runner-upYllana Marie Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna - 2nd runner-upMUPH Grand Coronation Night was hosted by actor-director Xian Lim and Kapuso actress Gabbi Garcia, Tim Yap, and Erika Christensen-Lee.Movie actors James Reid and Marlo Mortel were among those who provided production numbers.
"Mabuhay," the Miss Universe 1994 theme song, was revived for this year's opening number, which introduced the 66 candidates competing for the crown.Entrepreneur Crystal Jacinto chaired this year's board of judges, which included Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi, actress Bianca Umali, and basketball player Cole Micek..
