The Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant was a night of elegance, intelligence, and fierce competition, culminating in the crowning of Ahtisa Manalo as the new queen. Held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the event showcased the beauty and brilliance of Filipinas from across the country.
A Night of Glamour and Prestige
Sixty-six candidates competed for the prestigious title, each bringing their unique charm and advocacy to the stage. The competition was intense, with the contestants going through multiple rounds, including the swimsuit, evening gown, and Q&A segments.
Top 24 Semi-Finalists
After the preliminary rounds, the following candidates advanced to the Top 24:
- Baguio – Gwendoline Meliz Soriano
- Bohol – Tyra Rae Goldman
- Cebu City – Gabriella Mai Carballo
- Iligan – Juliana Fresado
- Laguna – Eloisa Jauod
- Muntinlupa – Teresita Ssen Marquez
- Pasay – Amanda Russo
- Quezon Province – Maria Ahtisa Manalo
- Quirino – Bianca Ysabella Rei Ylanan
- Siniloan – Yllana Marie Aduana
- Sultan Kudarat – Chelsea Lovely Fernandez
- Taguig – Maria Katrina Llegado
- Benguet – Maiko Ibarde
- Bulacan – Franchezca Mae Pacheco
- Davao – Angeleyh Pasco
- Ifugao – Valerie Claire West
- Isabela – Jarina Sandhu
- Lucena – Renee Isabella dela Cruz
- Malay – Taylor Marie DeLuna
- Manila – Jasmine Rovelle Paguio
Top 12 Finalists
After the swimsuit round, the competition narrowed down to the Top 12:
- Sultan Kudarat – Chelsea Lovely Fernandez
- Quirino – Ysabella Rei Ylanan
- Pasay – Amanda Russo
- Quezon Province – Ahtisa Manalo
- Baguio – Gwendoline Soriano
- Taguig – Kat Ilegado
- Laguna – Eloisa Jauod
- Muntinlupa – Winwyn Marquez
- Bohol – Tyra Rae Goldman
- Cebu City – Gabrielle Carballo
- Iligan City – Juliana Fresado
- Siniloan, Laguna – Yllana Aduana
Top 6 Finalists
The competition became even more intense as the Top 6 were announced:
- Quezon Province – Maria Ahtisa Manalo
- Muntinlupa – Teresita Ssen Marquez
- Siniloan – Yllana Marie Aduana
- Sultan Kudarat – Chelsea Lovely Fernandez
- Taguig – Maria Katrina Llegado
- Cebu City – Gabriella Mai Carballo
The Winning Q&A Answer
Ahtisa Manalo’s response during the final Q&A portion was a defining moment that secured her victory. Here’s the transcript of her answer:
Question: They say that a good leader leads by example. Tell us about one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made.
Ahtisa Manalo’s Answer: "I fell a while ago on stage. 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 the stage to be Miss Universe Philippines, because this is my and my grandmother’s shared dream. And she passed away early this year. And this is my ode to her."
Her heartfelt response resonated with the audience and judges alike, proving that beauty is not just about physical appearance but also about strength, resilience, and purpose.
Q&A responses from the other Top 6 semi-finalists
Muntinlupa – Teresita Ssen Marquez
Question: 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?
Answer: "We should look for someone who has integrity, someone who puts people’s welfare first 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 first."
Siniloan, Laguna – Yllana Marie Aduana
Question: If you were to be the governor or the mayor of the local government you are representing now, what would be the single most significant project that you would wish to accomplish, and why?
Answer: "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."
Sultan Kudarat – Chelsea Lovely Fernandez
Question: The national elections are in a week’s time. Our national hero, Jose Rizal, wrote that the youth is the hope of our fatherland. How can our young people play an important role in our elections?
Answer: "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 will definitely be progressive and productive as well."
Taguig – Maria Katrina Llegado
Question: 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?
Answer: "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."
Cebu City – Gabriella Mai Carballo
Question: 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?
Answer: "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 love above all."
Ahtisa Manalo: The New Queen
Ahtisa Manalo’s victory was a testament to her perseverance and dedication. She will now represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Thailand, carrying the hopes and dreams of her fellow Filipinos.
Her journey serves as an inspiration to many—reminding us that setbacks are not failures but opportunities to rise again, stronger than ever.
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