What's next for Ahtisa Manalo after Miss Universe 2025?
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo thought it would be a toss-up again between the Philippines and Venezuela for the title of Miss Universe 2025.
Beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo (Instagram)
During an appearance on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda, which aired on GMA Network, Ahtisa described Miss Venezuela Clara Vegas Goetz as very beautiful.
"I would usually see Venezuela," said Ahtisa when asked about her strongest competition in the prestigious beauty contest. "Noong Miss International (2018), Venezuela was the winner. So meron pa akong natitirang feelings na baka si Venezuela na naman this time and first runner-up ako. So siya ang papansin ko lagi. Ang ganda ni Venezuela. Mukha siyang manyika. (When Miss International (2018) was held, Venezuela was the winner. So I still have lingering feelings that maybe Venezuela will be the winner again, and I will be the first runner-up. So I will always pay attention to her. Venezuela is so beautiful. She looks like a doll.)"
Before Miss Universe 2025, Ahtisa represented the Philippines at the 2018 Miss International pageant held in Tokyo, Japan. Miss Venezuela won while she placed first runner-up.
During the Miss Universe 2025 finals held in Thailand in November, Miss Venezuela won 2nd runner-up, while Ahtisa became 3rd runner-up. Mexico's Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe 2025.
The Filipino beauty queen described the 2025 Miss Universe pageant as a significant challenge. She mentioned that her closest companion among the contestants was Miss Panama, while Miss Pakistan stood out as the friendliest. Additionally, Ahtisa shared that her favorite Miss Universe is Catriona Gray, who won in 2018.
Tito Boy asked her if she would enter politics after the pageant. Ahtisa answered, "No. I tried for a while because I thought I was going into it. But hindi pa kaya ng skills set ko. So now, I don't know yet."
Ahtisa, 28, also clarified that she had not turned down the Miss Universe Asia title. "It was never offered to me in the first place. But you know, before, I even assumed that if the title were offered, I'd tell them, 'Let's not accept it.' But it was never offered. I don't know where the rumors started. But it was never offered to me." Watch the full interview: