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Ahtisa Manalo says she’s ‘10/10 ready’ after emotional Miss Universe send-off

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761226707628SnapInsta.to_554360895_18530965381044591_874974493935927723_n.jpg" style="width:9600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Ahtisa Manalo. Instagram/@ahtisa </div>MANILA — Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo is “10/10 ready in every aspect” as she heads to Thailand to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant this November.The Quezon province beauty grew emotional during her official send-off, reflecting on her 18-year journey in pageantry — a dream that’s finally coming true.“I don’t think it’s enough how much I’ve already thanked the people around me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here in this position without everyone who supported me from the very beginning, from my very first pageant, from when I still lived in Quezon province.”Ahtisa shared how pageantry became her lifelong passion and purpose and means to support her family and own education.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/17/ahtisa-manalo-turns-emotional-remembers-the-women-who-raised-her-push-bets-1933">Ahtisa Manalo turns emotional, remembers the women who raised her </a></div>“Pageantry has been my vehicle, my vessel in life to achieve dreams that I want for myself and for my family. And I just hope that this journey of mine would be something that people can look into and inspire them to also go for their dreams.”As she prepares for the global stage, Ahtisa promised to give her all.“This send-off, this is just the beginning of our competition. Mayroon pa tayong ilalaban na fifth crown, so I really hope that you still support me all throughout my Miss Universe journey when I get to Thailand. And ilalaban ko kayo lahat.&quot;“I will do my best. I will make sure that the Ahtisa of the Miss Universe stage is the best Ahtisa ever,” she added.Miss Universe Philippines executive vice president Voltaire Tayag praised Ahtisa’s growth through the years.“I think the difference is, yes, there’s a lot of women or a lot of queens that have competed numerous times,” Tayag said. “The difference is, with Ahtisa, I saw a growth in the person and in the woman. In fact, I was never satisfied with who she was presenting (before) and she knows this.”He recalled being moved to tears by her closed-door interview and q&amp;a in the Miss Universe Philippines finals this year.“I said, Ahtisa, all your performances in the past, flawless. You have that confidence on stage. But I don’t feel you. I couldn’t relate. And I kept pushing her to find that confidence, to be confident in who she is. When she had me in a pool of tears during Miss Universe Philippines—that’s when I knew she was ready to be Miss Universe. Not just Miss Universe Philippines, but Miss Universe.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/15/miss-universe-ph-ahtisa-manalo-honored-to-be-among-peopleasia-s-women-of-style-and-substance-1617">Miss Universe PH Ahtisa Manalo honored to be among PeopleAsia&#x27;s women of style and substance</a></div>Tayag ended his message by saying, “With all of the hardships and difficulties, and yet she persevered through all of that to become the woman that she is today. So with that, I wish you the best of luck. And I know destiny will be on your side.”Shamcey Supsup-Lee also expressed admiration for Ahtisa’s courage to try again after falling short last year.“What really struck me about Ahtisa was after she didn’t get the crown last year,” Supsup shared. “It’s tough to join a pageant when you have competed internationally already. She’s already a queen, but she had to go through everything like the first time. And when she didn’t get the Miss Universe Philippines crown, I thought, she will never join again.”“But what really inspired me and made me go, ‘wow Ahtisa!’ was when she tried again. She didn’t let that failure stop her from pursuing what she really wanted—to become Miss Universe Philippines. And I really do believe in destiny.”Miss Universe Philippines National Director Ariella Arida also shared heartfelt words, noting Ahtisa’s impact on Filipino pageant fans.“I know you reignited so many dreams when you won. People I know have stopped following pageants, followed pageants again to support you. And new pageant followers emerged after watching your coronation,” Arida said. “I hope these people will be your inspiration to really get and be the best of what you can do everyday. And I’m praying for you to be able to get the crown.”Adding a mother’s touch, Ahtisa’s mom Elsie proudly cheered her daughter on.“I always believe in destiny. Because… ang daming pinagdaanan ang anak ko. Hardship in life, family, problems in anything. Pero look at her. She’s really a queen,” she said.Her advice to her daughter: “Do not lose the fire inside you. Because you are a queen. You are a dragon queen,” she said with a laugh referring to her Thai Dragon-inspired dress.Ahtisa’s send-off was filled with tears, laughter, and overwhelming love, marking the beginning of her biggest battle yet, as she aims to bring home the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown.

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo is “10/10 ready in every aspect” as she heads to Thailand to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant this November.

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo is “10/10 ready in every aspect” as she heads to Thailand to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant this November.

'Ilalaban ko kayo lahat': Ahtisa Manalo is ‘10/10 ready’ after emotional Miss Universe send-off

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'Ilalaban ko kayo lahat': Ahtisa Manalo is ‘10/10 ready’ after emotional Miss Universe send-off

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 23, 2025 10:26 PM PHT

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Ahtisa Manalo

Miss Universe

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