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Ahtisa Manalo

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<p>Philippine representative Ahtisa Manalo said she felt confident coming out of the Miss Universe preliminary competition in Thailand.</p><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN News&#x27; Dyan Castillejo, Manalo, who was praised for her pasarela skills during the swimsuit round, shared that she was able to execute everything she had planned onstage.</p><p>&quot;Overall, I think I did well,&#x27;&#x27; Manalo said.</p><p>During the show, Manalo stood out as she took the stage in a blue two-piece swimsuit.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1381203123629806%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>When told that many people turned emotional during the National Costume round as she was able to give the vibes of a true Filipino, Manalo credited designer Mak Tumang. &quot;I&#x27;s Mak&#x27;s brainchild. We really wanted to showcase the Filipino creativity on stage,&quot; she said.</p><p>The costume made from hand-embroidered piña pays tribute to María Clara, the &quot;Noli Me Tangere&quot; character long associated with the archetype of the ideal Filipina and the evolution of the modern terno.</p><p>Tumang described the design as “a tapestry of artistry that reflects the joy and creativity of our people,” and said it honors the women who shaped the nation’s history. </p><p>When told that she made Tumang&#x27;s dream of making a national costume come true, Manalo replied: &quot;Very happy to make people dreams come true. I hope mine comes true also.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/11/19/ahtisa-manalo-honors-filipino-fiestas-in-miss-universe-national-costume-1557" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ahtisa Manalo honors Filipino fiestas in Miss Universe national costume</a></div><p>The 74th Miss Universe coronation night will be held on November 21. Manalo is aiming for the Philippines&#x27; fifth crown after Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran, and Gloria Diaz.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zBLj_v2gL6g?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7CSSwIkYDcw?&amp;pp=0gcJCQwKAYcqIYzvautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OluOI-ImffU?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo said she felt good about her Miss Universe preliminary performance, saying, “Overall, I think I did well.”</p>

Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo said she felt good about her Miss Universe preliminary performance, saying, “Overall, I think I did well.”

Ahtisa Manalo confident after Miss Universe prelims: 'I think I did well’

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Ahtisa Manalo confident after Miss Universe prelims: 'I think I did well’

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published November 20, 2025 11:17 AM PHT

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