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Ahtisa Manalo ends her Miss Universe 2025 journey as 3rd runner-up, achieving the Philippines’ best finish in three years
The Philippines’ representative Ahtisa Manalo finished third runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, November 21, at the Impact Challenger Hall, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Manalo, a 28-year-old stunner from Quezon province, achieved the country’s highest placement in three years after Celeste Cortesi fell short of advancing to the Top 16 in 2022, while Michelle Dee finished in the Top 10 in 2023, and Chelsea Manalo finished in the Top 30 in 2024.
Mexico’s Fatima Bosch took home the title of Miss Universe 2025.
Mexico wins, Philippines 3rd runner-up
The Philippines achieves its highest placement in three years as Ahtisa Manalo finishes as third runner-up Miss Universe 2025.
- Miss Universe: Fatima Bosch (Mexico)
- 1st runner-up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
- 2nd runner-up: Stephany Abasali (Venezuela)
- 3rd runner-up: Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
- 4th runner-up: Olivia Yacé (Cote d’Ivoire)
Ahtisa Manalo shares advocacy for providing opportunities to low-income individuals in final Q&A
Ahtisa Manalo talks about her work with Alon Akademie in her final Miss Universe Q&A. Screenshot from iWantTV
Question: If you win the title of Miss Universe tonight, how would you use this platform to empower young girls?
Answer: I work with an organization called Alon Akademie, where we work with young people to provide them opportunities to make them realize that it doesn’t matter what your life circumstances [are]. It doesn’t define where you will go. I wanna continue working with Alon Akademie on a bigger platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people who come from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else.
Ahtisa Manalo upholds desire to stand as ‘hope of people’ in Top 5 Q&A round
Ahtisa Manalo upholds her desire to be a symbol of hope as she pursues the Miss Universe crown. Screenshot from iWantTV
Question: As a global ambassador (citizen), what will be your contribution to humanity?
Answer: I wanna 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 wanna 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.
Top 5 candidates advance to next round
The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo secures a spot in the Top 5. She achieves the country’s highest placement in three years, after Celeste Cortesi fell short of advancing to the Top 16 in 2022, while Michelle Dee finished in the Top 10 in 2023, and Chelsea Manalo finished in the Top 30 in 2024.
Top 5:
- Thailand
- Philippines
- Venezuela
- Mexico
- Cote d’Ivoire
Ahtisa Manalo dons Val Taguba ensemble in evening gown segment
The Philippines’ bet Ahtisa Manalo stuns in a dreamy, white gown on the 74th Miss Universe stage.
Her gown was designed by renowned Filipino designer, Val Taguba.
Top 12 candidates named
The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo continues her Miss Universe journey as she makes it to the Top 12.
Top 12:
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Guadeloupe
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Venezuela
- China
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Malta
- Cote d’Ivoire
Ahtisa Manalo shines in white at swimsuit segment
Ahtisa Manalo turns up the heat at the Impact Challenger Hall in Thailand as she confidently struts down the stage during the swimsuit competition of Miss Universe 2025.
Top 30 candidates announced
The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo earns a spot in the Top 30.
Top 30:
- India
- Guadeloupe
- China
- Thailand
- Dominican Republic
- Brazil
- Rwanda
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Colombia
- Netherlands
- Cuba
- Bangladesh
- Japan
- Puerto Rico
- USA
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Zimbabwe
- Costa Rica
- Malta
- Chile
- Canada
- Miss Universe Latina
- Croatia
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Palestine
- Nicaragua
- France
- Paraguay
Ahtisa Manalo wears national costume inspired by Filipino festivals
Ahtisa Manalo all set for Miss Universe 2025
– Rappler.com
