Ahtisa Manalo embraces her dark side in Miss Universe Philippines 2025 natcos
Athisa Manalo in her tiktik-inspired national costume. Images: Screengrabs from Instagram/@ahtisa
Veering away from her sweet image, Ahtisa Manalo’s Miss Universe Philippines 2025 national costume showcased her versatility as she donned an Ehrran Montoya creation that channeled the mythical tiktik.
Manalo embraced her dark side with the tiktik-inspired national costume in shades of black and red, featuring dramatic wings adorned with feathers, a headpiece with black birds, an asymmetrical skirt with a sprinkling of gemstones, and a low-neck bodysuit covered with feathers and sequins, as seen on her Instagram page.
In Filipino lore, tiktik is the manananggal that usually takes the form of a woman whose half body has the ability to fly while leaving the lower half on the ground.
As part of her performance, the Quezon Province representative also seductively blew a long red ribbon, resembling the tiktik’s long tongue, before prancing on the stage during her presentation.
View this post on Instagram
According to Montoya, the national costume honors the tiktik’s roots and how it “transforms terror into beauty,” despite it being a hybrid of an aswang.
“With bold silhouettes, wing-like accents, and textures echoing the dark elegance of the night, it embodies strength, mystery, and cultural depth. This costume pays homage to the legends of old while celebrating the fierce, resilient spirit of the Filipino people,” his post read.
View this post on Instagram
Manalo is one of the heavy favorites to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown, after her Top 10 finish at the Miss Cosmo global tilt in the previous year. This year’s edition marks her second attempt to bring home the coveted crown of the national tilt.
The Quezon Province-based stunner, who is noted as the “pambansang makina” by pageant fans, was also one of the rivals of Miss Universe 2018 titleholder Catriona Gray during the Binibining Pilipinas tilt. She was eventually chosen to represent the Philippines in the Miss International pageant, where she finished first runner-up.
Chelsea Manalo is set to pass her crown and title to this year’s Miss Universe Philippines 2025 winner at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, May 2. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig will also grace the pageant.
