Metro Manila, Philippines – Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo was named the third runner up at the 74th Miss Universe coronation at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Nov. 21.
Mexico’s Fátima Bosch was crowned as the new queen, while Thailand’s Praveenar Singh and Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali were first and second runners up, respectively.
Manalo made it to the pageant’s question and answer portion but failed to secure the title.
In one of the questions, Manalo was asked: “As a global ambassador or citizen, what will be your contribution to humanity?”
She answered: “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. Thank you.”
Before entering the Top 5, the Quezon Province beauty exuded elegance in a sparkly silver piece by designer Val Taguba during the evening gown competition.
In the preliminaries, Manalo displayed festive beauty and grace with her “Queen of Philippine Festivals” national costume.
Manalo’s placement is the country’s highest achievement in the pageant in three years, following Chelsea Manalo’s Top 30 finish in 2024, Michelle Dee’s Top 10 stint in 2023, and Celeste Cortesi’s unplaced campaign in 2022.
Manalo vied for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown after Catriona Gray in 2018.
