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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Twin triumphs: Ahtisa Manalo's homecoming and Nikki Buenafe's airport arrival

Twin triumphs: Ahtisa Manalo's homecoming and Nikki Buenafe's airport arrival

Published Dec 3, 2025 07:25 am
The Philippines had twice as much reason to celebrate on Dec. 2, as two Filipino queens returned home to cheers from their countrymen.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno gives Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Ahtisa Manalo a key to the city (Facebook, MPIO)
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno gives Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Ahtisa Manalo a key to the city (Facebook, MPIO)
Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo and Face of Beauty International 2025 winner Nikki Buenafe Cheveh both received warm welcomes in separate events that excited pageant fans and onlookers alike.
Ahtisa kicked off the day with a grand homecoming parade that made its first major stop at the Manila City Hall, where Mayor Isko Moreno personally welcomed her and her entourage.
“Miss Ahtisa, on behalf of the people of Manila, thank you very much. You gave us a great honor today and so much pride for the country,” the mayor told the reigning Miss Universe Philippines. “Your journey in the country starts in Manila, where the Kilometer Zero is located, where dreams and success begin.”
Ahtisa Manalo waves to the crowd from the Manila City Hall balcony (Facebook, MPIO)
Ahtisa Manalo waves to the crowd from the Manila City Hall balcony (Facebook, MPIO)
The reigning Miss Universe Philippines was also given a key to the city. “Thank you for being an inspiration. Kailangan talaga natin ng inspirasyon ngayon . Ang hirap ng buhay ng tao. (We really need inspiration because life is hard) You could be an inspiration to any teenager in the country,” Mayor Isko added.
From City Hall, Ahtisa continued her motorcade through key streets in the capital before heading to her celebration stop at the SM Mall of Asia. Fans lined the roads waving banners, Philippine flags and balloons.
Face of Beauty
Meanwhile, at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Fil-Iranian beauty Nikki Buenafe Cheveh arrived fresh from her victory in Taichung City, Taiwan, where she was crowned Face of Beauty International 2025, succeeding fellow Filipina Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano.
The 27-year-old Fil-Iranian beauty from Quezon City made history after securing a back-to-back win for the Philippines in the Face of Beauty International pageant, following Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano’s victory in 2024.
“When I got crowned, I was extremely happy, filled with pride. But I was also happy for my fellow sisters who got that far,” Nikki told the media at the airport. “I know how it feels to be on top but not get the crown. So I didn’t celebrate right away. When it was finally announced, I cried. I was grateful.”
Face of Beauty International 2025 Nikki Buenafe Cheveh
Face of Beauty International 2025 Nikki Buenafe Cheveh
Nikki credits her motivation during the pageant to her national director, Arnold Vegafria, or ALV.
“Tito ALV told me, ‘Relax, be yourself. If it’s for you, it’s for you.’ He’s like a father figure. Kinalma niya talaga ako (He really calmed me),” she said.
Vegafria’s camp, whose queens clinched major crowns this year, has been dubbed one of the “winningest” pageantry teams.
Nikki was met at the airport by famed gown designer Rian Fernandez, pageant coach Shandy Montecarlo Lim, and representatives of ALV Pageant Circle. Her homecoming celebration is scheduled for the second week of December.
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