Hailing from Quezon Province, the new Miss Universe Philippines, Maria Ahtisa Manalo was crowned on the night of May 2, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 27-year-old stunner stood out in a field of 65 other candidates, and is set to represent the Philippines on November 21 in Thailand for the 74th Miss Universe competition in pursuit of the country’s fifth crown.
Here are five things to get to know our new reigning queen!
Global Girl from the Start
Ahtisa Manalo as Miss Philippines Cosmo 2024 | Photo courtesy of Miss Cosmo
Born from a Filipino-Spanish mother and a Finnish-Swedish father, this global queen is no stranger to the international stage. Her big break in the world of pageantry came about in 2018 when she represented the Philippines and won as first runner-up in the Miss International competition.
She also joined Miss Universe Philippines in 2024, where she was crowned second runner-up. She then represented the country in Miss Cosmo 2024, where she ranked in the top 10.
Certified Girlboss
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation congratulates their alumna
One look at her and there’s no doubt she deserves her title, but did you know she’s also a certified accountant? Behind the glitz and glamor of pageantry, Manalo earned her degree in Accountancy from Enverga University in Candelaria, Quezon and became a businesswoman at the age of 21.
She is now empowering her community through her food and beverage company, providing jobs and countless opportunities for thousands of Filipinos.
Beauty Pageant Veteran
Athisa Manalo is a Beauty Pageant veteran | Photo courtesy of Binibing Pilipinas
Manalo’s pageantry experience spans more than half her life as she started entering competitions when she was just 10 years old. Having grown up in an underprivileged household, she felt compelled to join pageants for the prize money which she would use to pay for her tuition and help support her family.
Pageantry then became her life’s vessel and an avenue to reach her dreams which she continues to achieve—this time, on the universal stage. She was also crowned as the Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 and later competed in Miss International 2018 where she won 1st runner up.
Lola’s Girl
Ahtisa Manalo with her late grandmother | Photo courtesy Ahtisa Manalo
From her brave heart to her powerful stances, Manalo owes it all to her late grandmother who raised her and sent her to school.
In her winning answer during the top 6 question-and-answer segment, she mentioned that winning Miss Universe Philippines is her and her grandmother’s shared dream. Her lola’s passing earlier this year became the extra push she needed to secure the crown against all odds.
Comeback Queen
A queen holds her head high amidst mishaps
They say third time’s the charm, right? This much is true for our new queen as this is her third time competing for the Miss Universe Philippines crown. When asked in an exclusive interview what she did differently this time, she answered: “I made sure I was less (pressured) in my head.”
But this is not the only comeback she gracefully got back up on. During the evening gown segment of the coronation, Ahtisa stumbled and fell on stage. Just when the odds seemed to not be in her favor, she rose with poise and used that moment to begin her winning answer at the top 6 Q&A segment, where she was asked to share a time when she led by example.
“I fell a while ago on stage. And the thing with me is, whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. 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. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her,” she said.
With grace under pressure, whether on stage or in life, we have hope that our new Miss Universe can help the country come back just as strong and show the whole world what Filipinas are made of.
What was your favorite part of Ahtisa Manalo’s performance in Miss Universe Philippines 2025? Share with us in the comments below!