Flonique Guimary

Ahtisa Manalo on her Miss Universe journey

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Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Filipino pride Ahtisa Manalo is coming home with a heart full of stories and memories from this year’s recently concluded Miss Universe pageant. Before setting foot back in the Philippines, the newly crowned Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up revisited her long road to the global stage through a series of social media posts.  </p><div><br/></div><p>On Instagram on November 23, Ahtisa shared a video montage showing her stand-out moments during the competition. Along with it, she wrote, “After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination that is to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage.”  </p><div><br/></div><p>“My pageant journey may end, but the work continues. Let’s continue fighting for what we want —a better Philippines and a better universe. 🇵🇭🤍,” she continued.  </p><div><br/></div><p>Being a true advocate of youth empowerment, Ahtisa also vowed to continue working with Alon Akademie, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for the youth, no matter their background, to thrive and change the world.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/23/ahtisa-manalo-vows-to-continue-working-with-alon-akademie-following-miss-universe-journey-1323" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Ahtisa Manalo vows to continue working with Alon Akademie following Miss Universe journey</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRYlZ9_kkBL/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A326553.2999999523%2C%22ls%22%3A326345.1999999285%2C%22le%22%3A326347.59999990463%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1059" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>In another post, Ahtisa reflected on the pageant’s result, saying how proud she is in representing her home country and stating that “winning goes beyond the title and the crown.”  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRXMjgcEsfI/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A326566.89999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A326345.1999999285%2C%22le%22%3A326347.59999990463%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Ahtisa also shared a compilation of her competitions, this time looking back on how far she had come before earning her Miss Universe placement. “Capping off my pageant journey with a quick look-back from where it all began. It was an honor representing you, PHILIPPINES! 🇵🇭” she wrote. </p><div><br/></div><p>Coming from a Filipino, Finnish, Spanish, and Swedish roots, Ahtisa started her pageantry journey at young age to support her education. With perseverance and dedication, she earned an accountancy degree from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation. </p><div><br/></div><p>Ahtisa’s early exposure to national competition came in 2017 when she joined <em>Reyna ng Aliwan</em>. Her first major break arrived in 2018 through <em>Binibining Pilipinas</em>, the same batch that produced eventual Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Ahtisa then competed at <em>Miss International</em> where she finished as first runner-up at just 20 years old.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/21/celebrities-and-content-creators-have-mixed-reactions-as-ahtisa-manalo-places-3rd-runner-up-2151" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Celebrities and content creators have mixed reactions as Ahtisa Manalo places 3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 2025<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>With her youth and potential, many pageant fans expected her swift return. Some hoped she would pursue Miss World Philippines, while others waited for her comeback on the Miss Universe stage. But Ahtisa chose to take her time. She attempted to join <em>Miss Universe Philippines</em> in 2020 but stepped back. </p><div><br/></div><p>It was only in 2024 when she made her long-awaited return, joining <em>Miss Universe Philippines</em>, where she placed 2nd runner-up and was subsequently awarded the Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 title. Soon after, she was offered the chance to represent the country at the first-ever <em>Miss Cosmo</em> pageant, finishing in the Top 10 along with People&#x27;s Choice Award. </p><div><br/></div><p>In a surprise move, Ahtisa returned to <em>Miss Universe Philippines</em> the following year, facing a competitive roster filled with experienced aspirants. This time, her perseverance paid off. After three attempts, she finally earned the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the 74th Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><div><br/></div><p>Her efforts were rewarded with a strong finish, clinching the 3rd Runner Up placement. The crown eventually went to Mexico’s Fatima Bosch, but Ahtisa secured her place as one of the Philippines’ most celebrated representatives. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/21/meet-miss-universe-2025-fatima-bosch-1713" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Meet Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRZzCLBko_i/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A407443.39999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A326345.1999999285%2C%22le%22%3A326347.59999990463%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="987" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Aside from her placement, Ahtisa also shared on Instagram one of her most cherished memories from the competition, a warm reunion after the coronation that was captured in a fan-cam. The video showed her joyfully embracing Miss Panama Mirna Caballini Bouche and Miss Pakistan Roma Riaz after the coronation. </p><div><br/></div><p>Calling these friendships her biggest takeaway, she wrote, “My greatest prize from Miss Universe ♥️ See you in the Philippine Islands soon! 😍” </p><div><br/></div><p>Her Miss Universe sisters echoed her sentiment in the comments. </p><div><br/></div><p>Miss Panama wrote, “Forever grateful, love you both. Thank you for making this experience more memorable than it already is♥️🥰✨ @ahtisa @romariaz_official”</p><div><br/></div><p>Miss Pakistan added, “GET ME BACKKK TO YOU BOTH RNNNN 🥹💘✨🥹💘✨” </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRYoSoeEvfg/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A407954.59999990463%2C%22ls%22%3A326345.1999999285%2C%22le%22%3A326347.59999990463%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1041" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/24/ahtisa-manalo-s-arrival-in-ph-rescheduled-to-november-24-1320" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Ahtisa Manalo&#x27;s arrival in PH rescheduled to November 24</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Ahtisa closes her Miss Universe chapter on a grateful note. As Ahtisa heads back to the Philippines, she does so not just as a titleholder, but as someone who has honored her long journey, one marked by perseverance, grace, and the friendships she gained along the way. </p><div><br/></div><p>The Miss Universe Philippines organization confirmed that she is set to return home on November 24 at 11:15 p.m. via NAIA Terminal 1, where fans are expected to welcome her with pride and celebration.</p>

<p>Ahtisa Manalo reflects on her Miss Universe years-long pageant journey as she prepares to return home after being crowned 3rd Runner Up.</p>

Ahtisa Manalo reflects on her Miss Universe years-long pageant journey as she prepares to return home after being crowned 3rd Runner Up.

Ahtisa Manalo on her Miss Universe journey: ‘After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination’

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Ahtisa Manalo on her Miss Universe journey: ‘After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination’

Alyana De Guzman,

Push Team

Published Nov 24, 2025 05:05 PM PHT

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Ahtisa Manalo

Miss Universe Philippines

Miss Universe

Pageant Journey

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3rd Runner Up

Advocacy

Friendship

Homecoming

Binibining Pilipinas

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