Filipina beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo delivered an outstanding performance at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, securing the position of third runner-up during the coronation night held in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Friday, November 21, 2025.
This achievement marks the highest placement for the Philippines since Beatrice Luigi Gomez reached the Top 5 in Miss Universe 2021, showcasing the country's continued excellence in international beauty competitions.
Preliminary Excellence and National Pride
Manalo made an early impression during the preliminary competitions with her stunning national costume designed by renowned Filipino designer Mak Tumang. The creation featured a classic traje de mestiza crafted from hand-embroidered piña fabric, drawing inspiration from iconic Filipino festivals including the Giant Lantern Festival, Pahiyas, and Panagbenga.
In her Instagram post, Ahtisa expressed her pride: "In every step, I become the living festival of the Philippines — carrying the brilliance of a thousand lanterns, the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the timeless grace of María Clara onto the Miss Universe stage."
Her evening gown, another Tumang masterpiece called Pinctada, captivated audiences with its deep-sea inspiration. The midnight blue gown shimmered with gold accents, resembling pearls and featuring sunburst patterns that echoed the design of the Miss Universe crown itself.
Coronation Night Performance
During the main event, Ahtisa opened the competition with vibrant energy, wearing a shimmering lavender two-piece ensemble that sparkled under the stage lights. Among 120 international candidates, her poise and confidence immediately set her apart.
For the swimsuit segment, she chose a elegant white two-piece adorned with dangling gold floral hardware and a tied hip detail. Her bright smile and confident walk earned enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The evening gown round showcased Ahtisa in a sculpted white creation by Val Taguba. The fully-beaded gown featured intricate sunburst patterns with translucent fabric flowing from the sides and back, creating a modern yet celestial appearance that highlighted her grace.
Heartfelt Advocacy and Final Questions
Ahtisa's most memorable moments came during the question-and-answer portions, where she shared her inspiring personal journey with striking honesty.
When asked about her contribution to humanity as a global ambassador, she revealed: "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."
She emphasized her work with Alon Akademie, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for young people from challenging backgrounds. "I want to continue working with Alon Academy on a platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities like everyone else," she stated during the final question round.
Despite her powerful performance and heartfelt advocacy, the Miss Universe 2025 crown was awarded to Fatima Bosch of Mexico. The final rankings placed Praveenar Singh of Thailand as first runner-up, Stephany Abasali of Venezuela as second runner-up, Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines as third runner-up, and Olivia Yacé of Côte d'Ivoire completing the Top 5.
Ahtisa's journey serves as an inspiration to many Filipinos, demonstrating that determination and hard work can overcome challenging circumstances while bringing honor to the nation on the global stage.
