Pageant fans are still buzzing after the Miss Universe 2025 coronation night — and a big part of that excitement is thanks to Ahtisa Manalo. She may have finished as 3rd runner-up, but she lit up the stage from start to finish and gave the Philippines its best placement since Catriona Gray’s 2018 win. Graceful, driven, and quietly confident, Ahtisa has become one of the most talked-about queens of the season.

She finished as Miss Universe 2025 3rd Runner-Up

Ahtisa delivered a strong and consistent showing all week — from her white two-piece swimsuit, to her colorful traje de mestiza, to her elegant silver evening gown. Her poise and presence helped her clinch the 3rd runner-up spot, instantly making her a fan favorite. Her finish also marks the Philippines’ highest Miss Universe placement in seven years.

She grew up in Candelaria, Quezon

Born on May 25, 1997, Ahtisa spent her childhood in Candelaria, Quezon — a laid-back Southern Luzon town that shaped much of her work ethic and grit. She was raised by her Filipino-Spanish mother and is estranged from her Finnish-Swedish father.

She started working young

“I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at 10 years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty,” said Ahtisa during the Miss Universe Q&A portion.

Growing up, her family had limited means. At one point, they lived in a “20-square-meter makeshift house” squeezed between two others. To help earn money, Ahtisa tried everything: selling teks, pogs, and jolens, manning their sari-sari store, selling candles with her mom during Holy Week, and even collecting bottles and scrap metal.

She’s one of the youngest multi-title beauty queens from the Philippines

Her pageant journey started in fourth grade, when she joined a local contest for the free tuition prize. Since then, she’s stacked up titles: Aliwan Fiesta’s Festival Queen 2017, then Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 at just 20, where she went on to place 1st Runner-Up in Miss International.

She also competed in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, bagged the Miss Philippines–Cosmo crown, and later finished in the Top 10 of Miss Cosmo.

She’s a certified numbers girl

Ahtisa graduated with a degree in Accountancy from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation. Even in high school, she was already helping manage her cousins’ inventory — a hint of the business-savvy woman she’d eventually become.

She is also an entrepreneur

Outside pageantry, Ahtisa juggles multiple ventures. She owns two cafés in Australia: Cafe Noun (inside a library!) and Call Me Harris (in a park).

In the Philippines, she’s involved in several food brands including Koomi, Oh My Greek, and Zig.

She almost became a police officer

Before joining Binibining Pilipinas in 2018, Ahtisa actually applied to the Philippine National Police Academy. With several family members in law enforcement, she once imagined herself in a uniform and pursuing public service in a different way.

“My uncles, also my grandfather, are part of the police force. I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to explore everything that I can because I know I want to do a lot and that’s one of it,” she said.

She tried entering politics

During the previous election, Ahtisa filed for candidacy for Candelaria municipal councilor but later withdrew to focus on her pageant journey.

“This was not an easy decision. I was given an incredible opportunity to represent not just myself but also our beloved town as I compete in Miss Universe Philippines once again,” she said in a statement.

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