Flonique Guimary

Ahtisa Manalo addresses rumors she refused Miss Universe Asia title

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Ahtisa Manalo revealed who she considered her biggest competition during the Miss Universe pageant.</p><p>In an interview with Boy Abunda, Ahtisa named Miss Venezuela, Stephany Abasali, as her strongest contender.</p><p>&quot;I would usually see Venezuela kasi feeling ko meron din akong konting kasi nung Miss International, Venezuela was the winner so feeling ko in the back of my head meron akong natitirang feelings na okay baka si Venezuela na naman this time tapos first runner-up na naman ako, so siya &#x27;yung napapansin lagi ko talaga,&quot; she recounted.</p><p>She added: &quot;And it helps na napakaganda ni Venezuela, para siyang manika... As in ang ganda niya talaga.&quot;</p><p>In the same interview, Ahtisa also addressed the rumors claiming she refused the Miss Universe Asia title. She clarified that the title was never offered to her.</p><p>&quot;It was never offered to me in the first place. No... Ang nangyari nga diyan... nag-assume pa nga ako eh. Even before in-offer sa akin, sabi ko kay mama J (Jonas Gaffud), &#x27;Ma, &#x27;pag nag offer sila, huwag na nating tanggapin.&#x27; Pero inassume ko lang. Hindi naman nila inoffer talaga,&quot; she pointed out.</p><p>Ahtisa went on: &quot;So I don&#x27;t know where the rumors started that it was officially offered to me but I don&#x27;t know anymore what the talks were between mama J and the organization but on my behalf, it was never offered to me.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRxGMCCknTr/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%3A17882814.700000048%2C%22ls%22%3A115276.5%2C%22le%22%3A115712.89999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="690" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>When asked if she felt disappointed with her Miss Universe journey, Ahtisa replied: &quot;Not at all. I was living my dream and I was focused on getting the goal of Miss Universe 2025 and frankly everything else around me, I didn&#x27;t really care that much for whatever was happening around me. In the sense that ang goal ko was to be Miss Universe 2025 and there will always be drama whereever you are in life, so sa akin focus lang ako.&quot;</p><p>Ahtisa finished as 3rd runner-up in the recently concluded Miss Universe pageant.</p><p>Following the pageant, Ahtisa took a trip down memory lane and posted a video of her perfomance during the competition. &quot;After 18 years, I have finally arrived at my ultimate destination that is to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage,&quot; she said in an Instagram post on November 23.</p><p>She added: &quot;My pageant journey may end, but the work continues. Let’s continue fighting for what we want —a better Philippines and a better universe. 🇵🇭🤍.&quot;</p><p>The Filipino beauty queen also vowed that she would continue working with the non-profit organization Alon Akademie following her Miss Universe journey.</p><p>&quot;I will continue working with @alonakademie using my platform to make sure that people who come from low income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else,&quot; she said in another Instagram post.</p><p>Ahtisa also shared more information about the organization. &quot;Alon Akademie is a non-profit dedicated to growing each child&#x27;s greatness. Through action-based learning, we create spaces where children can explore, create, and lead—turning ideas into impact. We guide them to become makers and leaders, shaping a future where every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to thrive and change the world,&quot; she posted.</p><p>The beauty queen added: &quot;For more information about Alon Akademie, please visit their official website: www.alonakademie.ph 🌊.&quot;</p>

<p>Ahtisa Manalo talks about her Miss Universe 2025 journey. </p>

Ahtisa Manalo talks about her Miss Universe 2025 journey.

Ahtisa Manalo addresses rumors she refused Miss Universe Asia title: 'It was never offered to me'

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Ahtisa Manalo addresses rumors she refused Miss Universe Asia title: 'It was never offered to me'

Toff C.,

Push Team

Published Dec 04, 2025 01:10 PM PHT

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