What else made Ahtisa Manalo happy with winning Miss Universe Philippines 2025?
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo. Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
Every beauty contestant dreams of getting the most coveted title of the night. But for recently-proclaimed Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo, something else made her happy aside from winning the crown itself.
“The moment they called my name as Miss Universe Philippines, I was happy. But, also, I was so happy with everyone’s reaction,” she said at her victory press conference at Citadines Millenium Ortigas in Pasig City on Tuesday afternoon, May 6.
She earned the crown at the culmination of the ceremonies held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday evening, May 2, besting 65 other aspirants, including pageant veterans.
“You know it’s also their dream to be Miss Universe Philippines, but I saw how much they celebrated that I won. And it really shows how amazing all of these women are,” Manalo said of the five other ladies in the final round.
Joining her at the press conference were the five ladies she edged out of the top prize–runners-up Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez and Yllana Marie Aduana, and The Miss Philippines titleholders Katrina Llegado, Chelsea Fernandez, and Gabriella Mai Carballo.
“Even though they had to give up on their dreams, or I got their dream this time, they were happy for me and they celebrated me,” she said, recalling the moment caught on camera when the other ladies clapped and cheered for her victory, wrapping her in a tight embrace.
“For me, it’s really important, the people who surround me. And the people who surround me and support me remind me that apart from this crown, there’s still Ahtisa,” Manalo said.
“There’s still who we are. And this is just an added responsibility for us. It’s just added audience for us. But our core, we still are the person right before we were crowned,” she continued.
As Miss Universe Philippines, Manalo said she will dedicate her reign to the causes that the national organization promotes, and will work with the partner institutions such as Project Pearls, Save the Children, and LoveYourself, among others.
“But apart from that, I think just being on this platform, showing everyone that sometimes dreams…they take 17 years to achieve. I think that’s really a big thing. I need to show everyone, don’t give up. Just persevere and work hard, and you will get it,” Manalo declared.
She is also set to represent the Philippines in the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand in November, and win the crown for the country seven years since Catriona Gray clinched the title in the same Southeast Asian nation in 2018.
