The Philippines’ Powerhouse Steps Into Her Prime: Ahtisa Manalo Stuns at the Miss Universe Preliminaries

Some dreams aren’t made overnight—they’re carved slowly, with grace, courage, and the kind of faith that never fades. On the Miss Universe stage, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo stands at the summit of that journey—eighteen years of becoming, all leading to this moment

By JP Ilagan and Danielle Dayao

MANILA, Philippines—In Bangkok, under the lights of Challenger Hall 2, Ahtisa steps forward not as a contestant chasing a crown, but as a woman defined by evolution. Her performance—precise, powerful, impossibly regal—feels like the culmination of every lesson, loss, and quiet triumph that came before. The Philippines watches, not with expectation but with pride, as one of its finest daughters turns discipline into poetry.

Festejada: Queen of Philippine Festivals
Draped in Mak Tumang’s Festejada, Manalo is not just wearing a costume – she is the Queen of Philippine Festivals. Inspired by the country’s iconic fiestas, the ensemble features a traje de mestiza-inspired silhouette, embroidered with abanico and palay motifs, paired with a breathtaking skirt crafted from over 65,000 hand-sewn petals. A gold filigree peineta crowns the look, sealing her presence as the queen that she is.

Tumang describes the piece as a “living canvas” of Filipino craftsmanship, and Manalo delivers with every step, carrying the brilliance of world-class Filipino artistry on the Miss Universe stage.

The Power of Love, in Cobalt Blue
For the swimsuit segment, Manalo slipped into a BENCH two-piece from the “Power of Love” collection, its cobalt hue electrifying the arena. Her walk was measured yet magnetic: a single pivot drew roars from the crowd, a testament to presence honed over years. Focused, confident, controlled—Ahtisa didn’t just walk; she commanded.

A Pinctada Moment
The night closed with Mak Tumang’s “Pinctada,” a midnight-blue gown dusted with gold. Inspired by the Pinctada maxima shell that nurtures the South Sea pearl, the piece echoed the radiance of the Miss Universe crown while remaining entirely her own—fluid, regal, certain.

Each movement shimmered with intention; every turn whispered elegance. In that instant, Manalo wasn’t just competing—she was arriving.

With a performance this assured, Manalo didn’t merely deliver; she reignited the stage, restored momentum, and reminded the world why the Philippines remains a force in the history of Miss Universe.

And as the spotlight shifts toward coronation day, one hope rises across the Philippines: could this be the long-awaited fifth Miss Universe crown?