Filipino beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo expressed her gratitude to Filipinos and supporters following her third runner-up finish in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.
Hours after the coronation in Bangkok, Thailand, Manalo took to her social media pages to pen her short gratitude message, writing, ‘Maraming salamat po mga kababayan at sa lahat ng #Ahtistahins’ (Thank you very much, my countrymen, and to all the #Ahtistahins).
Manalo delivered a strong outing for her 2025 Miss Universe journey. In the preliminary rounds, she stunned in a midnight blue-and-gold gown and wowed in a fiesta-themed national costume. During the finals, she owned the runaway in her white two-piece swimsuit and a silver evening gown with sheer details.
In the final question-and-answer round, Manalo spoke about her work with Alon Akademie, an organization that helps youth from low-income families, emphasizing that one’s life circumstances ‘do not define where you will go,’ in response to the Top 5’s question about how they would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls.
Manalo’s third runner-up finish sparked mixed reactions after netizens and celebrities felt she deserved a higher placement given her strong performance. Comedian-host Vice Ganda and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee were among those who were shocked and frustrated by this year’s pageant results.
The 2025 Miss Universe pageant was marred by controversies following the walkout incident involving now Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch of Mexico and National Director of Miss Universe Thailand Nawat Itsaragrisil, as well as the resignation of two judges days before the coronation, with one of them accusing the organization of arranging an ‘impromptu jury’ to predetermine the winners.