Quezon’s Ahtisa Manalo is Miss Universe PH 2025

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines has a new queen!

Quezon Province bet Ahtisa Manalo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 during the coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, May 2.

The 27-year-old queen, who bested 65 candidates, will represent the Philippines in the 74th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Thailand this November.

Fan favorite Manalo clinched the crown over other pageant veterans like Miss Earth Air 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana and Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Winwyn Marquez.

The beauty queen early in the finals faced a setback after slipping on stage during the evening gown portion. However, fans were in awe of her poise as she gracefully pushed on.

Manalo also used her slip up as an example during the question and answer portion where she was asked to tell the audience about an event she had in her life where she led by example and the impact it made.

She was crowned by her predecessor Chelsea Manalo (no relation to Ahtisa), who was proclaimed as the first-ever Miss Universe Asia in last year's edition of the international pageant held in Mexico.

Journey to the crown

Manalo has also been through her fair share of pageant experiences. The queen placed second runner-up in last year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

The Quezon native also previously represented the country in Miss Cosmo 2024 where she finished in the top 10.

Manalo was also part of the 2018 batch of Binibining Pilipinas queens which was won by Miss Universe 2019 Catriona Gray. Manalo won first runner-up in Miss International later that year.

The Philippines has been consistent in its semi-final placement in Miss Universe and is widely considered as a pageant powerhouse in the prestigious annual competition.

Manalo will vie for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown after Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).