Ahtisa Manalo Biography
Ma. Ahtisa Manalo was born on May 27, 1997, in Candelaria, Quezon Province, Philippines. School and family mattered to her, and she worked hard to support her studies while taking part in local festivals and pageants. Her roots in Quezon shaped the quiet confidence she later carried onto national and international stages, and her mixed heritage—her mother is Filipino-Spanish while her father is of Finnish-Swedish descent—gave her a multicultural outlook that she presents with pride. Ahtisa Manalo is 28 years old as of 2025.
Ahtisa’s story is not just about beauty. She studied accountancy at Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, where she learned discipline and the practical skills of business and finance. Those lessons proved useful later when she started entrepreneurial projects and when she spoke about youth empowerment and education. Her early life shows a steady blend of family loyalty, practical study and a desire to give back to the community that raised her.
Ahtisa Manalo Career
Ahtisa moved from local festivals to national pageants in a steady climb that mixed experience, training and humility. She first gained wider public attention when she competed in festival pageants and local shows as a teenager. Her early wins at the regional level gave her a taste of stagecraft and public speaking. She then reached national attention at Binibining Pilipinas 2018, where she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International and later represented the Philippines at Miss International 2018, finishing as first runner-up. That international result demonstrated she could match the best in the world and it opened doors for modeling, endorsements and public appearances.
After the 2018 pageant season, Ahtisa balanced public work with business initiatives. She launched and supported small ventures and became known as a thoughtful, business-minded public figure. In 2024 she returned to the Miss Universe Philippines stage with experience and renewed focus. She finished as second runner-up that year, and a year later she competed again and won the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown. The victory in 2025 marked the culmination of years of steady work and a measured comeback that many fans described as earned rather than sudden. Her career shows persistent growth: from local festivals to national crowns and then to representing the Philippines on the world stage.
Ahtisa has also been visible offstage. She advocates for youth empowerment, supports education initiatives, and is known as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Her statements and public appearances often stress kindness, resilience, and the importance of using platforms for positive change. That mixture of social values and practical business sense has made her popular with young Filipinos who want role models that blend talent with purpose.
Ahtisa Manalo Personal Life
Behind the crowns and cameras, Ahtisa’s life is grounded by family and a small circle of friends and mentors. She often cites her grandmother as the most important person in her life, the one who taught her to work hard and to treat people with respect. At the same time, Ahtisa has navigated complicated family dynamics, including an estranged relationship with her biological father. She has spoken about those realities with honesty, saying that her identity and her Filipino roots are what define her publicly.
Ahtisa is also a businesswoman. Her academic training in accountancy helped her run small ventures, including food and café projects reported in profiles about her. Living partly in the public eye, she chooses when to share personal details and when to keep family matters private. That balance has helped her maintain a calm public image while she prepares for major stages and responsibilities. She often speaks about waiting for the right relationship rather than rushing into one, and she frames her focus as first on career, community, and purpose.
Her multicultural heritage has shaped how she presents herself. Ahtisa identifies strongly as Filipino even as she acknowledges her mixed roots. She uses that background to connect with diverse audiences and to speak about inclusion and belonging. Fans often note how she combines small-town humility with a global polish—an attribute that has helped her move comfortably between regional events, national stages and international runways.
Ahtisa Manalo Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Winning Miss Universe Philippines in 2025 was a major milestone for Ahtisa. Her coronation brought a mix of relief, joy and responsibility. The national crown returned her to the global spotlight and gave her a mission: to prepare to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2025 with dignity and purpose. The national pageant win was also a story of resilience. After placing as second runner-up in 2024, she returned more experienced and ready to claim the title that would send her to the world stage.
At the Miss Universe 2025 preliminary events, Ahtisa drew attention for her elegance and poise. For the evening gown segment she wore a striking Mak Tumang creation called “Pinctada,” a midnight-blue gown with gilded gold accents inspired by the mother-of-pearl oyster. The gown’s design echoed the Miss Universe crown with sunburst motifs and layered embellishments, and it reflected light beautifully during her walk. Commentators praised the look for its craftsmanship and for how it complemented Ahtisa’s calm, measured stage presence. Her walk and presentation at the preliminaries reinforced the idea that she is both a polished performer and a steady representative of Filipino beauty and style.
Beyond gowns and stage moments, Ahtisa’s Miss Universe role has a clear public agenda. She has spoken about empowering youth, promoting education and supporting inclusion. In interviews she has emphasized that pageants offer a platform to share causes and to inspire young people to aim high and help others. As Miss Universe Philippines 2025 she also became a visible symbol of modern Filipino womanhood—rooted in local values but ready to speak to global audiences about compassion, leadership, and social progress.
While the Miss Universe competition draws attention to fashion and spectacle, Ahtisa’s preparation and interviews show a deliberate effort to use the spotlight for causes that matter to her. Her training involved media coaching, advocacy work and careful selection of designers and creatives to ensure her public appearances matched her message. The Pinctada gown and her calm evening-gown walk were visible signs of that planning: the look was created to honor Filipino craftsmanship while highlighting a forward-looking message of empowerment and cultural pride.
Conclusion
Born and raised in a small town in Quezon, Ahtisa Manalo learned discipline and responsibility early. She moved from local pageants to national crowns, and then to the international stage. Her education in accountancy, her business ventures, and her advocacy work show a person who values both practical skill and social purpose. Winning Miss Universe Philippines 2025 gave her a wider platform to promote education, inclusion and youth empowerment.
FAQs
What pageant titles has Ahtisa won before Miss Universe Philippines 2025?
She won Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 and finished as first runner-up at Miss International 2018. She was also second runner-up at Miss Universe Philippines 2024 before winning the 2025 crown.
What did Ahtisa wear for the Miss Universe 2025 evening gown preliminaries?
She wore a Mak Tumang gown called “Pinctada” — a midnight-blue dress with gold accents inspired by the mother-of-pearl oyster and the sunburst motif of the crown. The gown drew praise for its detail and stage presence.
What does Ahtisa Manalo advocate for?
Ahtisa advocates for youth empowerment, education and inclusion. She often speaks about helping children and encouraging leadership among young people.
Where did Ahtisa study and what did she major in?
Ahtisa studied accountancy at Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Quezon. Her training in accountancy supports her business ventures and practical approach to her public work.
Collins Smith is a journalist and writer who focuses on commercial biomaterials and the use of green hydrogen in industry. He has 11 years of experience reporting on biomaterials, covering new technologies, market trends, and sustainability solutions. He holds a BSc and an MSc in Biochemistry, which helps him explain scientific ideas clearly to both technical and business readers.
Leave a Reply