A new queen has been named: Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province. Ahtisa was crowned on May 2 at SM MOA Arena.

One of the most anticipated segments of a pageant’s coronation night is the Q&A. For this year, the Top 6 delegates participated in this round, and with the national and local elections in the Philippines coming up on May 12, the questions were timely and touched on politics and leadership. 

Here’s a recap of how the Top 6 delegates (Cebu City's Gabriella Mai Carballo, Muntinlupa's Teresita Ssen Marquez, Quezon Province’s Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Siniloan's Yllana Marie Aduana, Sultan Kudarat's Chelsea Fernandez, and Taguig's Maria Katrina Llegado) performed at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Q&A portion:

Photo from @themissuniverseph

Sultan Kudarat's Chelsea Fernandez

Q: "The national elections are in a week’s time. Our national hero, Jose Rizal, wrote that the youth is the hope of the fatherland. How can our young people play an important role in our elections?" 

A: “In our generation, youth has a strong personality. They have the power to choose and vote for the right leaders. That’s why tonight, I would like to encourage our youth to be wise in selecting our leaders. Because when we are very wise about this, we can reach the tip of the universe, and the Philippines would definitely be progressive and productive as well. Thank you and good evening, Philippines."

Siniloan's Yllana Marie Aduana

Q: "If you were to be the governor or mayor of the local government you’re representing now, what would be the single most significant project that you would wish to accomplish and why?"

A: "I’ve always known myself to be a committed advocate of education. And I would definitely promote education empowerment across all genders in our municipality because we all understand that education is the key to open multiple doors of opportunities, the power that no one can ever take away from us, and the solution to feel more empowered and transformed. Thank you."

Muntinlupa's Teresita Ssen Marquez

Q: "On May 12, 2025, our general elections will be held, and we will be choosing our leaders. In your opinion, what is the most essential quality that we should look for in leaders? Why?"

A: "We should look for someone who has integrity, someone who puts people’s welfare before their own political wants and own needs. We should have a leader that is not politics as usual, but someone who will always put other people’s wants and needs. Thank you."

Taguig's Maria Katrina Llegado

Q: "Women in Philippine politics are still a minority. And here in Miss Universe Philippines, we talk about women empowerment. How will you help empower women and encourage them to participate in politics?"

A: "Women today deserve a seat at the table. This time, babae naman. We are at par with men. We are trailblazers. We are leaders. And I think women are definitely a power, a force in the universe. Thank you." 

Cebu City's Gabriella Mai Carballo

Q: "Just like our public officials, a beauty queen is a public figure whose life is under constant scrutiny. As a beauty queen, how do you maintain your authenticity amidst the expectations of the public?"

A: "As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that the most important thing is the posture of your heart. You have to ask yourself: ‘Am I putting out the best version of myself into the world? And is that something that is helping other people?’ I don’t think there’s a reason that we have to live on this earth if we’re not impacting people positively, and so I hope all of us can move forward. Take people next to us and move to a better place in our society because, as Filipinos, we can place above all." 

Quezon Province’s Ma. Ahtisa Manalo

Q: "They say that a good leader leads by example. Tell us one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made." 

A: "I fell a while ago onstage. And the thing with me is, whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. Last year, I was here on this stage, and for the second time this year, I'm here putting everything on this stage to be Miss Universe Philippines because this is mine and my grandmother's shared dream, and she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her."

Related: 10 Things About Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo

Photos from @themissuniverseph